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.

Before You Move

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.