Rental Hunting: The Move (last in a series)

Rental Hunting: The Move

Finding a rental home or apartment that suits your needs is a daunting task, particularly when disability, children, pets, credit issues, or any combination of the above create additional complexity. I'm seeking a new rental right now. Learn from my mistakes and successes with this series of short articles on the process of finding a rental. This is the seventh and last in a series.

Now that you've been through the process of finding a rental, from making a list of your needs to signing a lease, the hope is that you've found a perfect property to rent and are moving in soon. It's almost time to relax. There are just a few things to take care of before you can settle in to the fun things, like planting a garden or enjoying bigger closets.

Don't forget to have all utilities disconnected before moving out of your current home. It's best to schedule a disconnection at least four weeks in advance. Even if you live in a large apartment community, the management likely will not take care of disconnecting service for you. Some tenants have forgotten this step and been billed for the utilities used by the next person to move into their apartment! Any utility bills that come in the mail with your name on them must be disconnected by you. On the same token, if you subscribe to the newspaper, get your subscription transferred to your new address.

Speaking of your address, you'll of course need to file a change of address form. These are available at your local post office, but you can also fill the form out on the USPS website. Write to family and friends to give them your new address. If you'll be moving out of the area where you currently live, ask doctors, dentists, veterinarians, and kids' instructors in sports or hobbies for referrals in the community where you'll be living. You may also need to notify creditors of your move so as not to miss a payment and have your credit score impacted.

Make sure that you know what your current lease requires that you do upon moving. Some leases require that you steam clean carpets, for example, while others prohibit it! It's important to follow the lease to the letter so as to get your security deposit returned. Most leases specify the exact amount that will be deducted from your security deposit for failing to clean the rental or for damage. If you are not confident that you can accomplish the required tasks before a move-out inspection by the landlord/lady, consider hiring a professional. If you choose this option, look for a local, privately owned cleaning company, rather than a chain.

All that's left to do is make arrangements for the move itself. If you have many valuable and fragile items, consider a professional mover who insures possessions during transit, and get them appraised beforehand. Renter's insurance to protect your valuables after the move is also a good idea. Congratulations on the move, and enjoy your new home!