Now that you’ve completed the walk-through and signed the lease, there’s only one thing left to do: move in! A few things might stand between you and rental bliss, though, such as forgetting to turn on the lights (oops!). Here’s everything you’ll want to do to make sure move-in day goes without a hitch.
Set Up Your Utilities
Call the water, electric, and gas companies about a week before you move in and schedule the turn-on date for the day before your move-in date. This way, you’ll have water, lights, and maybe even air conditioning or heat (depending on the time of year) while you’re moving in, which will make hauling furniture much more pleasant. If you aren’t sure who to call, ask the leasing office or landlord and they should be able to provide you with the contact information for each company.
When you call, ask what the typical monthly cost for the area is, based on the square footage of your rental and the number of occupants. Ask each company if they provide plans to balance out costs during months when it is very hot or cold. This will help reduce high costs during peak months.
Ask your landlord or property manager if they have preferred internet providers, then contact the providers for quotes. Be prepared to pay deposits for each service.
Clean Your Rental Before Moving In
Do a deep cleaning before moving the furniture in. While the landlord or property manager likely cleaned when the old tenants moved out, the property was probably shown several times since then. For peace of mind, clean it once again. Change out the toilet seats if the landlord didn’t do this, vacuum the carpets, and scrub the kitchen counters. Wash inside the cabinets and cover the shelves with shelf liner. Clean the areas that are often overlooked, such as the top of the fridge, the range hood, doorknobs and light switches, and baseboards. Doing this while the rental is empty will make cleaning easier.
Before buying anything for your new home, unpack all your boxes. This will help you determine what you have and what you need, making it easier to create a shopping list. Don’t be surprised if a few of the things you packed end up getting tossed — a new space may make you want new décor.
As you unpack, look over your items carefully for any damage. If you find any, document it now and have this evidence ready when you contact the moving company.
What to Purchase for Your New Home
Whether this is your first rental or you’re a seasoned renter, there will always be items you’ll want to purchase for your new home. Once you’ve unpacked everything, walk through each room to see what’s missing or what you want to change. Make a list before heading to the store. Here are some of the items you may need:
Kitchen: <
- Contact paper for shelves
- Dish towels and rags
- Sponge
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher detergent
- Drawer organizers for utensils
- Drying rack for dishes
- All-purpose cleaner
- Baking soda
- Pots and pans
- Cooking utensils (spatula, tongs, whisk, pizza cutter, grater)
- Can opener
- Flatware and cutlery
- Dishware (plates, bowls)
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons/cups
- Small appliances (coffee maker, microwave, stand mixer, blender)
- Floor cleaning supplies (broom, mop, sweeper)
- Garbage can and tall kitchen trash bags
- Paper towels
Bathroom: <
- Soap (hand soap, bar soap)
- Bathmats
- Shower curtain/curtain rings
- Towels (including hand towels and washcloths)
- New shower head (check your lease first to make sure this isn’t prohibited; save the old one to switch back before you move)
- New toilet seat (your landlord may be willing to do this for you)
- Garbage can
- Plunger
- Toilet bowl brush/cleaner
- Toilet paper
- Soap dish
- Toothbrush holder
- Medications (fever reducers, hydrocortisone cream, pain relievers)
- Bandages
Bedroom:
- Sheet set
- Comforter
- Curtains/blinds if not provided
- Hamper
- Hangers
- Storage bins
Laundry Room:
- Basic sewing kit
- Laundry detergent
- Iron/ironing board
Everywhere:
- Tool set (hammer, screw drivers, pliers)
- Tape measure
- A set of Allen wrenches
- Nails, screws, bolts
- Hooks
- Level
- Extension cords
- Tape (including duct and electrical)
- Batteries
- Light bulbs
Settling into Your Community
Along with a new home, you’ll have a whole new community to get to know. If you aren’t familiar with the layout, take a walk or drive around the area. Check out nearby restaurants, shops, and parks. Look for the places you’ll be interested in going, such as the gym, salon, coffee shop, and pharmacy. If the community has a website or social media page, look for any classes, festivals, or events you might be interested in.
Get to know your neighbors. Knowing who lives around you will make you feel more at home and more secure. You might even build some lasting friendships. Even if you’re just on good terms, having a friendly relationship with your neighbors can make living in the community a great experience. If you ever need someone to collect your mail or just keep an eye on your place while you’re out of town, you’ll be glad you have neighbors you can trust.