Moving home at all can be a stressful act, with so many plates to spin in order to make the move smooth and successful. However, moving into a rental property can present more issues, and more unique issues, than those that might crop up in buying a house. There are many ways to make a house-move easier, and the below suggestions are a core few which could help you no end in your preparations to move to new rental accommodation.
Reviewing Your Contract
Finding the perfect rental property on your hunt can feel like the stars have aligned, and you may be keen to get signed and locked in as soon as possible. However, patience is a virtue – and what looks like a good deal on the surface could come with caveats. Read the tenancy agreement very carefully before you sign, and make sure you understand every clause in it. There may be specific clauses involving the ownership of pets, noise curfews in the area or even restrictions on guests, depending on the landlord. Knowing where you stand before you sign will give you a stronger footing when it comes to moving.
Organising the Move
Speaking of which, you would also do well to think about how you’ll be going about the physical moving of your belongings. Hiring a transit van and doing it yourself is not unheard of, but hiring a professional moving service can also take a lot of the hassle, and worry, out of your move. Shop around for a trustworthy company with good reviews, whether online or word-of-mouth.
Utilities and Insurance
While the physical logistics of moving your life from one place to another present a significant undertaking, often the far more taxing part of any move can be found in managing the move of utilities and other bills to your new address. Energy and internet providers in particular require a liberal period of advance notice to move your tariff or contract to a new address, and leaving this administration to the last minute frequently leads to movers across the country losing internet access for up to a month.
Around a month before your moving date, dedicate a full day to utilities and related bills; notify providers of your move, visit your council’s webpage to change your address, and do some research into new services you may need. For example, renter’s insurance is a useful way to protect yourself against the financial shock of possible damage to your new home. Damage to goods or to the building could result in emergency repairs, which the landlord may expect you to pay out of pocket. You also run the risk of affecting the return of your deposit. Setting up insurance in advance of your move would mean that you and your deposit were covered from day one.
Leaving Your Old Property
A large number of people moving into new rental properties are doing so by leaving an existing rental agreement – which, if true for you, puts the needs of your current rental agreement on your to-do list for moving to a new one. The crucial reason for doing this is the money you may have locked up in your house’s deposit, which may be garnished in order to pay for any damages or cleaning required after you leave.
In order to ensure you receive as much of your deposit back as possible, first make sure your deposit has been protected as required by law, then make sure to leave the property as you found it when you moved in. Clean it well, and replace or repair any damaged items or fixtures belonging to the landlord. This may involve painting, or filling gaps in the wall.
