As seasoned Dallas apartment locators, we’ve worked with hundreds of individuals and families who were in a transition period in their lives. Moving from one place t o another can be an exciting milestone. But the actual process of relocating can be incredibly stressful.
One thing we always recommend is to create and use a checklist. That way you won’t end up dropping the ball on anything important and possibly risk losing your security deposit. To make things easier, we’ve put together a template for you to use. Check it out below.
2 Months Prior
- Sort and purge. Go through your apartment and get rid of anything you don’t need or want anymore. The less stuff you have to move, the better.
- Schedule a mover. If you plan on using a moving company, the earlier you research and choose one, the better.
- Create a moving binder to help you keep track of everything.
- Give formal notice to your landlord. (Be sure to double check your lease for the specifics. Most require a minimum of 60 days, but others are longer, so be aware.)
6 Weeks Prior
- Order your moving supplies (boxes, bubble wrap, tape, etc.). Don’t forget specialty containers, such as those needed to move fragile items.
- Take measurements and make plans. Will your larger item be able to fit in your new place? If not, it’s time to come up with plan B.
- Start organizing your stuff so it’ll be easier to pack.
1 Month Prior
- Begin packing. Remember to label all of your boxes so you’ll know what goes where when it arrives at your new place.
- Do a change of address.
- Notify appropriate parties. Think utilities, credit card companies, banks, magazine subscriptions, your employer’s HR department, etc.
2 Weeks Prior
- Arrange to take the day off from work.
- Contact the moving company to confirm the details, such as the time the movers should arrive, approximately how much stuff they’ll be moving, etc.
- Finish packing, if you haven’t already, leaving out just the essentials and a box to put those things in on the day of the move.
1 Week Prior
- Clean! Remember – in order to get your security deposit back, you’ll need to return the apartment in the same condition it was when you rented it. If you need to, hire a professional cleaning service.
- Arrange a date and time with your landlord to do the walkthrough and turn over your keys.
- Plan for payment. If you’ve hired a moving company, you’ll need to pay them the balance of what’s owed on the day of the move, so plan ahead. And don’t forget to grab a little extra cash for a tip.
This list should help you get all your ducks in a row for a smooth, stress-free move. Feel free to print it out and add anything else you’d like.
Not quite ready to make the move, but curious to know what’s out there? We can match you with the perfect place to put this checklist to good use. Get in touch today!
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