5 Things You Need to Know Before Moving Into Your New Apartment

Score! You just got your new apartment. Now you’re ready to move in, right?

Well, not so fast. Yes, it’s nice to be moving into a new place. However, it’s time to make sure everything is in order before the move-in goes forward.

You want everything to be as quick, painless, and smooth as possible. Even after you move in, you need to make sure you have your bases covered. We’ll be talking about the 5 things you need to know while this moving process is ongoing.

As someone that is finally enjoying the freedom of a new living space, you may need to be aware of certain expenses that you need to take on. Not to mention, there are some unexpected things that can happen during and after you move in. But not to worry, we have you covered with these tips.

Let’s take a look at them below.

1.   Get renter’s insurance

Needless to say, things can happen, and your property can get damaged as a result. Of course, if you are moving into a new apartment, money might be tight as it is – that’s why you need to focus on finding a cheap renter’s insurance policy that will prove affordable now, and offer safeguarding in the future.

That way, you might be able to get everything replaced or repaired (depending on how badly damaged it is). A lot of renters eschew the idea of getting insurance because it might be costly. And that is understandable.

However, there are some insurance policies that will work to your advantage even at a reasonable price. If you want to know more about them, keep reading. You definitely need something that will cover you from top to bottom (especially when it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg).

2.   Go over your lease agreement

By the time the ink goes to the paper, the lease agreement is signed. You should have a copy of this for your records. Before moving in, review it one last time and remind yourself what you are responsible for.

The terms will be outlined. You will know what damage you will be responsible for, what utilities you need to pay for, and which ones the rent covers. This way, you do your best to stay within the agreement and not break it (inadvertently or otherwise).

3.   Be sure to communicate with your landlord regularly

If there is one person you need to communicate with on a regular basis, it’s your landlord. That’s because they are the go-to person whenever you have questions about the apartment. They also need to be contacted should anything happen such as damage or an urgent need for repairs.

It doesn’t matter if it’s 3AM or 3PM, if something is happening, your landlord needs to know as soon as possible. Also, keep any records of communication in handy. This could be useful should anything arise to the point where it could become a legal issue.

4.   Think ahead of time of whether or not you want to renew your lease

If you’re settling into an apartment, you may fall in love with the place – but how will you feel after 12 months? If you feel like it’s the place to stay for a while, you can make the decision to renew before the lease expires.

However, if you don’t like the place, you may want to wait it out until the lease expires. Leaving while the lease is still good may be a violation of the agreement, and your landlord will not be happy about that.

5.   If someone plans on moving in, discuss with your landlord

It may be a sibling, a best friend, even a significant other. Whoever is moving in with you, be sure to discuss this with your landlord. This should be brought up before the lease itself should be signed.

Depending on the lease agreement, no one may be allowed to move in until it comes time to renew it with some amendments. Your landlords can allow you to have guests, but should follow a rule of how long they are allowed to stay.

Too many times, landlords and tenants lock horns because of people who tend to overstay their welcome in someone’s apartment. These sorts of disagreements can cause a great deal of tension – something any renter will want to avoid at all costs.

Keeping on the same wavelength as your landlord, and ensuring that you fully understand your responsibility as a tenant, is incredibly important – and something you can begin working on as soon as you receive the keys to your new home.