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Your Comprehensive Moving Checklist: Simplify Your Move

Checklist label image for the moving checklist blog from Class A Management.

Moving to a new home can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. So it’s wise to use a comprehensive moving checklist if you want to ensure a smooth and organized move. Class A Management provides a step-by-step guide to help tenants streamline the move process–from preparing for a move and finding a new home to settling into their new residence. By following this moving checklist, tenants can alleviate stress and stay organized throughout the entire journey.

Tip 1: Plan Ahead and Set a Timeline

Start your moving preparations early by creating a timeline that outlines important tasks and deadlines. This includes notifying your current landlord of your intent to move, researching and securing a new residence, scheduling moving services, and arranging transportation. By setting a timeline, you stay on track and avoid last-minute stress.

Tip 2: Declutter and Organize

Moving presents an excellent opportunity to declutter. Sort through your items and decide what to keep, donate, and sell. Organize your possessions into categories to make packing and unpacking more manageable. Remember: The less you have to move, the smoother the process will be.

Tip 3: Notify Important Parties

Ensure a seamless transition by notifying important parties of your upcoming move. This includes updating your address with your employer,  the post office, utility companies, banks, insurance providers, and subscription services.

Tip4: Arrange Professional Movers or Rental Vehicles

Decide whether you want to hire professional movers or opt for a DIY move using rental vehicles. Research reputable moving companies or rental services in advance to make sure you book the best option for your needs. Reserve your movers or rental vehicles well in advance to ensure availability on your preferred moving day.

Tip 5: Gather Packing Supplies

Acquire an ample supply of packing materials such as sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts. Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to, making unpacking at your new residence easier. Grouping items that live in one place will help with unpacking. For example: Put all contents from desk drawers in one box. Don’t forget to get essential tools like box cutters and markers for labeling.

Tip 6: Pack Room by Room

To maintain organization, pack one room at a time. Start with the least essential items and gradually move toward the more frequently used items. Clearly label each box with its contents to facilitate efficient unpacking. Pack fragile items with care, using appropriate padding and protection.

Pro tip: packing move-in day essentials in one box can help you when you reach your new residence. This can include: toiletries, bedding, one pair of clothing, and anything else you may need to keep you from having to dig through various boxes on your first night.

Tip 7: Arrange for Utilities and Services at Your New Residence

Contact utility companies at your new residence to arrange for services like electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable. Ensure these services are activated before your move-in date to avoid any lag in service.

Tip 8: Update Rental Insurance and Change of Address

Update your rental insurance policy to cover your new residence. Also, notify your insurance provider of your change of address to ensure uninterrupted coverage. This step helps protect your belongings and provides peace of mind during the move.

Tip 9: Conduct a Final Walkthrough

Before leaving your current residence, conduct a final walkthrough to ensure you haven’t overlooked anything. Check all rooms, closets, cabinets, and storage spaces to make sure nothing is left behind. Make sure to leave yourself cleaning products to do one final ‘clean sweep’ before leaving. This will help create a smooth transition and preserve your positive relationship with your former landlord.

Tip 10: Settle into Your New Home

Once you’ve arrived at your new residence, take the time to unpack, arrange furniture, and settle in. Prioritize essential items and gradually unpack the rest at your own pace. Make your new house feel like a home by personalizing the space and exploring your new neighborhood.

Moving doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By following this comprehensive moving checklist, you can approach your move with confidence and efficiency. Planning ahead, de-cluttering, notifying important parties, and conducting a final walkthrough will help you enjoy a seamless transition to your new residence. Good luck with your move!

Looking for the perfect property? We’d love you to consider a property we manage. Check out the full list here or call us at 817-295-5959 to learn more.

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7 Moving Tips for First-time Renters

Image of a green pencil checking off checklist boxes in the blog 7 Moving Tips for First-time Renters.

If you’re moving into your first rental property soon, here are some moving tips you may find helpful.

1. Moving day

It may seem like a silly point to make, but you do need to call the property manager ahead of time to verify the move-in date. There may be issues with former tenant evacuations, repairs, or other unforeseen events.  Always call a week prior and then at least one day before your plan to move in to make sure everything is still on schedule for your arrival.

2. Utilities

Some apartments and even single-family rentals may include certain utility payments. It’s your responsibility to know what those may be. Contact the property manager about utilities if written instructions are not provided in the lease or on the property’s website. There are almost always guidelines for the take-over process on new accounts. If you have roommates, discussing and establishing a plan for splitting utility expenses fairly among yourselves is important.

3. Renters Insurance

Regardless of your numerous other to-do items, securing renters insurance should be a top priority before you ever move a thing into the property. It’s possible to find very reasonable rates and coverage. Hesitant? You better check with your soon-to-be landlord. Insurance may be a requirement, and proof of coverage may be required to move in.

4. Furniture

How many rooms do you need to furnish, and what would you like to put in them? A bed, table, a couple of chairs, and a TV are the basics, and you can easily find these items on buy-sell-trade sites, Goodwill, or garage sales if money is a concern. You can also go the rental route but understand that this often costs much more in the long run.

5. Moving timeline

The day before move-in (or sooner), call your soon-to-be landlord and double-check everything once more to ensure you’ve got your checklist down where the property is concerned. Ask about move-in times. Many properties may limit the hours of day move-ins are allowed. Limited hours are for convenience, security, and consideration of other tenants.

6. Coordinate mail delivery

You no longer have to make an in-person trip to the post office to update your address.  You can simply go online and fill out the change of address form. These can take several days, so handle this up-front and note your exact move-out/move-in dates.

7. Schedule movers

Whether you’re taking the DIY route or hiring professional movers, this is a task you should coordinate with plenty of lead time. Professional movers tend to book early, and your friends will likely be more willing to help if you give them some notice (and the promise of a bribe).

More moving tips and available properties

For more moving tips or to find the rental property that is perfect for you, get in touch with Class A Management. We have numerous properties throughout Texas that meet many tastes and needs.