Move-in

Checklist and Details

Download the Move-In Checklist and the 1st Apartment Checklist (even if this is not your first apartment) to be sure you have everything you for a smooth move-in and look below for more detailed information.  While everyone thinks that moving is all about heavy lifting, it actually is a lot more about planning and preparing.  While the times are general guidelines, the important part is to follow the order which is structured to help you break the tasks into smaller chunks.  Everyone thinks they have more time than they do... don't wait and stay on task.

6-8 Weeks Before Move

Budget...moving can be expensive, so how much do you want to spend on it?  Moving supplies, moving help, truck rentals, moving aids (like dollies or ramps), apartment items (like a bed, dresser, couch, or cookware), and food have varying costs, so investigating costs, setting a budget, and being prepared help you spend wisely (and within your limits).

Packing List...there is a good starter list, 1st Apartment Checklist, to get you started on thinking about what you need to get and pack for your apartment.  You will want to amend this list to your personal needs and wants, but simply having a list ensures that you don't forget something.

Purchase List...you likely will not have everything you need for your apartment, especially if you are moving into an unfurnished place.  Keeping a list of what you need to get can help you find affordable ways of getting those items.

Organize Help...everyone needs help to move.  The more help, the faster it goes and the less painful it seems.  If you need help packing, then ask for that too.  But you need to respect people's time, so be sure to reach out well in advance and then be fully ready yourself for the help they are giving.

Secure Moving Vehicle...you need a vehicle to carry all of your stuff, unless you live close enough to make several runs.  Nonetheless, your vehicle needs to be big enough to carry your items (a Prius will not transport a king bed).  Budget restraints may make this harder, but you need to think it through.

Create Packing Corner...as you are gathering items for your move and packing boxes, you should try to designate an area in your current place to start accumulating these items.  This helps to visual your move, what you still need, and perhaps how much space everything will take.

4-5 Weeks Before Move

Set key/Walk-thru Time...this is very important as you cannot move in until you have the keys and have done your move-in inspection.  And you need to confirm moving times to your moving helpers.  This is when you will document the condition of the apartment to use as a baseline for comparison when you move out.  Arranging all of this with the landlord is critical.

Set-up Utilities...whether this requires confirming with the landlord that it is done or calling the utility companies yourself, you need power, water, and likely internet working from the moment you get there.  Check out the Resource page to help you navigate this process.

Get Packing Supplies...you need them so start looking early.  There are many ways to acquire supplies (many people are giving them away for Free on FB Marketplace), but the sooner you start getting them, the sooner you can start packing which saves you in the end.

Get Renter's Insurance...many places will require that you get liability coverage, but you will also want to get personal property coverage.  Check out our Renter's Insurance info on the Resource Page page to learn more.

2-3 Weeks Before Move

Parking Permits...you need them to park on campus, but you may need them to also park in your neighborhood.  In addition, you may be able to get a special parking permit to "reserve" the space in front of your new home for your moving vehicle.  Check out the process at Chattanooga.gov.

Prepare Paperwork...you should have a special folder with all of the paperwork related to your move.  This would include the lease, all checklists, parking permits, utility confirmations, move-in and key pick-up confirmations, etc., whether an official document or just a printed email.  This ensures you have all of the details correct and can call to follow-up if something is not right (having account numbers and/or proof is very helpful).

Change of Address...in addition to officially registering your move with the United States Postal Service so all of your official mail goes to your new place, you will need to update your address with your financial institutions, your online subscriptions, your memberships, and any other place that may have your address stored.

Start Packing...if you have not already, you should fully be in packing mode now.  Late packing usually results in broken, forgotten, or misplaced things...and that is a headache you do not need.  Put on some good tunes and just start getting it done.

Eat Perishables...moving perishables is a pain since you cannot pack them until the day of your move and then you have to unpack them first.  Unless you want to throw away food, start eating all that you can so you don't waste it

Week Before Move

Organize Supplies...this is a double check that you have the moving and cleaning supplies you need to move in.  Also, getting your tools and directions, and labels all sorted is helpful too.  You want to be sure that these items go with you so you can readily access them throughout the move.

Inventory...even if you are moving yourself, it is good to be sure that you have an inventory of what you are moving.  If nothing else, you now will have a list of how many boxes it takes to move your stuff as well as a list of stuff you have in case something is damaged at some point.

Moving Day

Walk-through Form...if you have not done this with the landlord in advance of moving, you want to be sure that you complete an inspection and record those details.  This Apartment Condition Form is what you will need to send to the landlord to document the condition of your apartment before you moved in.

Walk-through Video/Pictures...in this day and age, it is important to digitally document the apartment's condition for comparison when you move out.  This is a generally good practice when you rent something so that you have proof of the condition when you got it and when you returned it.

Clean...this is the only time you won't have anything in your place, so why not make sure everything is truly clean.  After all, you don't know how long it has been sitting there since the last tenant left or to what standard the place was cleaned.

Food and Drink...having food and drink (or at least plans of where to order it) is good.  You and your helpers will need both, so being ready just saves you from "the hangry" which is an unpleasant state.