12 Essential tips to add to your moving check list

Moving means umpteen things to be done –it is not about just putting things into boxes, taking them to another place, and unpacking there. The more complicated our lives get the more the things to be done before and after moving.

To make life easier and less complicated, use a “moving checklist.” This will help you move efficiently and methodically.

The first thing is to write down simple facts about your destination—what kind of weather, climatic changes, urban or rural, water potability, infrastructure in new home, size of home, colors of walls, rules made by landlord in case it is a rented home—some landlords specify no nails on walls.

A typical check list will have:

• Inventory of goods—perishable, breakable, unbreakable. A room-wise inventory is recommended. Also a box containing “first day needs” marked load last, unpack first.
• A file containing essentials like house documents, insurance papers, packing lists, bills to be settled, travel tickets, keys to new home, and bills to be settled.
• A must do list to remind you to:
o Arrange transfer of school records.
o Pay utility and other pending bills.
o Transfer bank accounts.
o Turn off phone, heat, electricity, and gas connections.
o Disconnect television and Internet cables.
• A list of “to be done” --- post office notification; insurance for valuables, health checks and medications; buying travelers cheques ; closing club, gym, and library memberships; canceling newspapers and magazine subscriptions; returning any borrowed things; finding new homes for pets and plants; confirming travel plans.
• Pack a travel kit containing cheque books, credit cards, personal phone book, I-pod, identity card, flashlight, keys to new home, toiletries, change of clothes, emergency medications, food, towels, alarm clock, games for kids, hat, and windcheater.
• List of items to be sold/placed in storage. List of things to be repaired, replaced, painted, or refurbished.
• List of legal papers and keys to be handed over to the landlord or new owner of your home.
• A folder containing details of movers, truck number, drivers ID and cell number, as well as addresses and phone numbers of their office at the destination and call center or tracking center. An envelope containing cash or cheque to settle the mover’s bills.
• Arrangements to be made in your new home before you arrive: a working phone, installing utilities like gas, electricity, and heat, putting in cable for the television as well as internet, turning on the water supply, getting the painting as well as any other alterations or repairs done before the trucks arrive.
• Ready to use folder containing, birth certificates, school records, medical records, dental records, transfer papers, and anything else required to enroll them in the new school.
• A bare necessities box marked No 1, containing: toilet paper, towels, soap, shampoo, bath towels, paper towels, insecticide, cereal, dehydrated milk, coffee, and other must haves.
• A “new home” must do list: validate your car papers and drivers license, renew or get new insurance, put all legal papers in order (check applicable laws), make a list of emergency numbers: hospital, police station, social services, fire station, doctor’s clinic, and vet.

Be well prepared to move, make a list that pertains to you personally. If you are well organized the move will go smoothly.

10 crucial guidelines to mull over prior to selecting an apartment

Renting an apartment that suits your needs and requirements can be time consuming and challenging. There are many things to consider when selecting an apartment that renters should consider. To help you get started, here are some essential tips which will assist you in your search for the perfect apartment complex.

1: Ask for when you can move in: If you are looking for immediate occupancy, first of all ask landlord when you can tenure the apartment, also enquire whether currently is it occupied by someone else. After confirming check in, you may negotiate with the landlord for not paying for unoccupied period.

2: Ask for the rent amount: How much is the amount is and when to pay? Ask for advance security deposit and whether it is completely refundable?

3: Fine for late payment: Inquire is there any fine for late payments of the rent? if it happens.

4: Renewal Terms: Check out what are the conditions for renewing the lease. What are the terms if you move-out before the lease ends?

5: Are any utilities covered: Ask your landlord about the utilities are whether they are covered in your rental contract or not?

6: Are you permitted to share your apartment: If you want to share your place with your colleagues or room partners, check out for any written permission to doing so.

7: Are your pets allowed or not: Ask for permission if you have any pet. If it is not permitted, would it be possible by paying for pet deposit in advance?

8: Can you do minor renovations: It is but natural that you would love to live in your kind of environment, and to do so you may need minor renovations such as painting wall and some decorations. Just inquire this point before you check in.

9: Inquire about your neighbors and surroundings: Every person would like decent neighborhood, if it is not there, you may have to face frequent disturbance. To avoid this you should know about neighborhood very well.

10: Inquire for service points: Ask landlord, How far is the market and other required service points like post office, bank, restaurant and public transport stations etc. It will make you aware about your surrounding area.

By inquiring such things you can avoid any dispute and reasons for disagreement in the future with landlord.