Moving Tips for Tenants, Renters
This resource is by no means complete. It’s simply a reminder of things to not forget or overlook. We hope it helps with your relocation.
Notice to Vacate
- Give existing landlord a written notice of your intention to move as required by your lease or rental agreement.
Address Changes
- Post Office: give the forwarding address for all names.
- Notify the bank of your new address for continuing or closing statements.
- Notify charge accounts and credit cards of your new address.
- Subscriptions: address changes can require several weeks notice.
- Provide current landlord with your new address for security deposit refund.
Banks
- Arrange for credit and banking reference.
- Arrange for checking services at your new location.
- Transfer funds. Keep in mind minimum balance requirements, if any, unless accounts are closed.
Insurance
- Life, health, auto, renter’s, other insurance: notify them of your new address for continuing coverage.
Utility Companies
- Gas, water, electric, telephone, trash, cable or satellite service: notify of shut-off date and new address for closing bills and deposit refunds.
- Arrange for utilities to be turned on at your new residence in time for your arrival.
Delivery Companies
- Cancel or transfer laundry, newspaper, and other delivery services.
Medical, Dental, Prescription
- Ask for referrals. Transfer prescriptions, X-rays, medical records, etc.
- Plan for special care or travel needs of infants, elderly or others.
Pets
- Verify the new landlord will accept your pets.
- Plan for special care or travel needs of your pets.
- Ask about pet licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc. at new location.
- Pets can be poor travel companions if frightened or unhappy due to moving.
Miscellaneous
- Donate items you don’t need or haven’t used in a year. Throw away hazardous materials carefully and legally.
- Empty freezer. Plan for food use.
- Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator. Place box of baking soda to prevent odors.
- Have appliances serviced for moving if needed.
- Take your current phone book with you.
- Diagram or photograph arrangement of TV and other electronic connectors and wires.
- Clean rugs and clothing before moving. Have them moving-wrapped.
- If household items are being moved professionally, discuss insurance, packing and unpacking, shipping papers, estimated date and time of arrival, and arrange payment for services.
- Do walk-through inspection with manager or landlord prior to moving. Clean items noted during inspection.
On Moving Day
- Carry enough cash or traveler’s checks to cover travel expenses.
- Carry valuables and important documents yourself or use a registered and insured secure carrier.
- Let close friends or relatives know your route and schedule including overnight stops. Keep in touch.
- Double check closets, drawers, shelves to be sure they are empty.
- Remove all trash from old residence and leave it as clean as possible.
- Turn in old keys and door openers to landlord or manager or leave them locked up in your old home.
At Your New Address
- Check to see your service is working for telephone, gas, electricity, water, trash, and cable or satellite.
- Check pilot lights on gas stove, water heater, furnace.
- Review operation of all appliances with new landlord.
- Introduce your pets to your new home slowly. Be sure they won’t be able to run back to the old address for the first few days.
- Ask letter carrier for mail on hold for your arrival.
- Have new address recorded on driver’s license.
- Register to vote using your new address.
- Register car within 5 days after arrival in State or a penalty may be due with new license plates.
- Obtain car inspection sticker and transfer auto club membership to new location.
- Apply for State driver’s license.
- Introduce your family at your new place of worship.
- Register children for school.
- Arrange for medical care in advance of need for doctor, dentist, vet, etc.
- Update emergency telephone numbers for police, fire, hospital, veterinarian.