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Moving to a new residence requires you to carefully plan to make sure everything goes smoothly. Whether this is your first time moving into a new apartment or you’ve been renting for years, there are always things you can do to make your move better. Now that you’ve found the ideal living space, you can use these tips provided by Altra Insurance Services to perfectly execute your upcoming move.
1. Understand Your Obligations for Cleaning and Repairs
If it’s been a while since you looked at your current lease, take the time to find out exactly what parts of the move-out process you’re responsible for completing. In most cases, you’ll be expected to clean the house or apartment thoroughly, but you may also need to arrange for special services such as carpet cleaning. Making sure to handle these tasks gives you more control over the cost, and it ensures you end your lease on good terms.
2. Take a Lot of Pictures
Once you have your current residence ready for moving out, take pictures of areas that are sure to be inspected, such as the flooring and appliances. You should also take pictures of any problems you find with your new residence. If possible, use a time stamp or hold up a newspaper showing the date, as this can verify things were already damaged when you moved in. You can also take pictures of your belongings to use for insurance purposes if you run into issues such as a house fire after you move in.
3. Send Address Updates Before the Big Day
Once you leave your former residence, you may no longer have access to the mailbox. Try to begin having your mail sent to your new address a few days before you move in. Make sure to update anyone who needs to know about your change of address such as your bank, insurance company, and employer.
4. Check into the Need for Permits
Depending on where you move to, you may need to make sure you have permission to park the moving truck for loading and unloading. This is especially important if you’re moving in or out of an apartment that doesn’t have a nearby parking lot. If you need to park the truck on a city street for any length of time, check with your local municipality to find out the steps you might need to take to ensure it’s parked legally. For private parking lots, speak with your property manager to find out if there are preferences regarding where the truck is left during the moving process. For example, they may not want it blocking a main entry point.
5. Make Sure to Take Everything with You
With so much to do in such a short amount of time, it’s easy to overlook some of your belongings. Make sure to go through the refrigerator and appliances that stay with the house, such as the washing machine, to make sure you don’t forget a thing. If you do plan on leaving something, make sure it’s okay with the current owner so you don’t get charged a fee for cleaning or moving unwanted items.
One other thing you should also do once you move if you haven’t done so already: acquire reliable renters insurance San Diego. Local residents can call Altra Insurance Services today at 619-474-6666 for a free quote on renters insurance, as well as auto, motorcycle, and business policies. We hope to hear from you soon.