What to Do Before You Move
Spring is not the only season in town. It’s renewal season, and soon notices to renew your lease will begin to appear. We’re here to offer some advice on what to do before you renew, and some tips for those of you who are moving on to bigger and better homes.
1. Lease Renewal Notices
First thing is first, most landlords will provide a renewal option that shows current residents what their new rent will be, if changed, and when their new lease would begin. It’s always smart to check with your property manager at least two months before your lease ends if you haven’t received a renewal letter and intend on staying. This prevents your unit from being leased out before you can renew.
2. Move-Out Notices
All rental homes and units require a move out notice anywhere between 30 to 90 days prior to moving out. Knowing when your lease is up is very important to ensure you don’t get stuck in a renewed lease that you didn’t want to be in. Notices must be presented in writing and require that you list your official move-out date.
3. Cleaning and Repairs
Rental homes tend to experience common wear & tear, which we discussed in our previous blog. Cleaning your apartment or home and making minor repairs helps the property management team more easily prepare your unit for its next resident and increases your chances of getting part, or all, of your security deposit back upon move-out.
4. Consider A Moving Team
While paying friends in pizza and ice cream may seem like the cheaper route, hiring a professional moving team can cut back on time, hassle, and broken furniture, which saves you money in the long-run. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about how you’re going to get your sofa up three flights of narrow stairs.
5. Secure Your Services
You’ve just unpacked the last box, placed the last piece of furniture, and hung the last work of art, and now you’re settling in to watch your favorite show, but then, Netflix hits you with this.
Always ensure that you have all of your utilities and Wi-Fi transferred to your new rental home so your favorite show is ready when you are!
6. Return Your Keys
Now, you may think everything is done. Your apartment has been cleaned and repaired, all of your services have been set up, boxes unpacked, and you’re ready to relax. BAM, you’re hit with a fee from your last apartment because you didn’t turn in your unit keys. Not returning your keys to the property management team can often result in an additional charge for each key you withhold. Save yourself the trouble and return your keys.
7. Forward Your Mail
Similar to confirming that all of your services have been set-up, cancelled, or transferred, making sure that you submit a forwarding address to your local USPS post office keeps the mail flowing. It’s never fun to get letter after letter of someone else’s mail, so be sure to stop by your local USPS and get your address changed.
Whether you’re moving out or staying home, we hope you’ll consider these tip to make your renewal season as easy as possible! For more information on leasing or to see what properties we have coming available, reach out to our team today!