TIPS TO HELP WITH YOUR MOVE
No one looks forward to moving day, but with a little organization and planning it can become much less stressful.
Giving notice to the Landlord
Most leases and rental agreements specify how much notice you’re required to give your landlord before moving – in Ontario a 60 days notice is required. Put your notice in writing and include that day’s date, your unit’s number if you’re in an apartment, and a forwarding address. Have the landlord acknowledge receipt of this by having him/her sign a copy of the notice. Keep a copy in a safe place.
Do-ahead checklist
- · If you’ll be hiring movers, contact 2 or 3 companies for estimates, and start taking video or photos of belongings. This will prove valuable if there is an insurance claim for damages.
- · If you’re moving on your own, contact truck rental companies and line up some hale and hearty friends for the big day (bribe them with beer and pizza).
- · Begin collecting boxes and packing materials.
- · If you have pets or young children, arrange for a sitter to take them on moving day.
- · Start packing items you won’t be using before the move and remember to put stickers on the boxes listing what is in them.
- · Bell Canada requires a 30 day notice to disconnect a phone line or transfer the line to another address.
Moving checklist
One month in advance
- · If you’re moving to a new town, make final dental and medical appointments.
- · If moving out of town, book an oil change and check-up for your car.
- · What can you do without? Place an ad in the local paper, get busy on eBay, or make a donation to a favourite charity. Rebuilt Resources will pick up any items that you care to donate regardless of size. They can be reached at 497-7878.
- · Start eating your frozen foods! Less to move.
- · Do you subscribe to any services that require a 30-day notice to disconnect?
- · Make arrangements to have your carpets cleaned (Cardinal Carpet – 472-4040) and your apartment/house cleaned after all belongings have been moved out (Molly Maid – 476-1827).
Three weeks in advance
- · Keep packing.
- · Submit a change of address with your post office. Start contacting your friends, family, employer (important for tax time), school and student loan office, and medical professionals and veterinarians; business contacts including clients, banks, insurance carriers, and credit card carriers; utilities, phone company, newspapers, magazine subscriptions
- · Have new cheques made up with your new address and phone number.
- · Arrange for help on cleaning day if you are going to do it yourself.
- · Make sure that a move out inspection appointment has been made with the landlord in order to insure that the condition of the rental unit upon move out has been agreed to by both you and the landlord. This avoids incurring any surprise charges for cleaning, damages or repairs after you have moved out.
Two weeks in advance
- · Talk to your bank now if you need to transfer accounts and clear your safety deposit box.
- · Arrange to have new utilities connected the day before you move into your next home: gas, electricity, water, garbage, phone lines, high-speed computer access, and modem hook-ups. If you’re moving out of town, you may need to give notice to your current ISP and arrange a new one.
- · Change the address on your driver’s license and car registration.
- · Call your current utilities providers and follow instructions for having meters read. Don’t cut off important utilities, including phone, until the day after you’ve moved out and cleaned up.
- · Dig up your lease or rental agreement and check the sections that refer to any obligation on your part for repairs, nail holes, carpet cleaning, and cleaning of appliances.
Seven-day countdown
- · Confirm travel plans and accommodations if moving out of town.
- · Pack an “emergency kit” or essentials (such as snacks, pen and paper, scissors, soap, toilet paper, Kleenex, paper plates and a set of utensils) and a special box of valuables and documents for easy access after your move.
- · If you’re leaving town, pick up items you’ve left at repair shops and dry cleaners.
- · Return cable equipment.
- · Put cleaning materials in a box and stash it with your vacuum and broom.
- · Cook, eat, or give away perishable foods.
- · At least one day before moving, unplug, defrost, and clean the refrigerator.
- · On the night before your move, get plenty of sleep, and have a high-powered breakfast in the morning.
It’s movin’ time!
- · On moving day, put bedding and other last minute items in a box labelled “Load Last”.
- · Take a deep breath – by tomorrow at this time, you’ll be all done. Oh, aside from cleaning.
Cleaning apartment after all belongings are out
Now that your furniture and boxes are out of the way, it’s time to get busy with the all-important job of cleaning.
If your landlord gave you a checklist, follow it closely. If friends are available to help, divide labours based on equipment needed – one of you can scrub the stove while another washes windows and another gets started on the bathroom.
When you’re all done, take that tour with your landlord. Inspect every nook and cranny together, and write down any problems. If he or she is dissatisfied with any areas discuss it on the spot until you agree on a solution.
