Classes are finished, your final exam is right around the corner or is a thing of the past and it’s time to think about moving out. For some people, “winging it” or just “going with the flow” are the order of the day. But let’s be honest, sometimes it helps to have a plan to help you get through times like this. So, we’ve compiled a list of things to help you get through this, because let's face it, moving can be stressful.

Let Your Landlord Know

This should probably be item number one on your list. It’s very important to let your landlord know you plan on moving and your move out date too. There may be some clauses and conditions in your lease agreement that you need to keep in mind, and the sooner you let your landlord know you’re moving, the better off you’ll be. Plus, you may need your landlord to be a reference for you for your next home, so it’s probably good idea to leave on a positive note and preserve that relationship. Don’t forget to let the new or old building know that you’ll need to book the elevator for your move.

Declutter Your Property

If you have any items that you may not need or have been getting in the way for sometime, now would be the perfect time to get rid of them. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself when you last needed or used an item, if you can’t remember, this may be a good time to get rid of it. Some items may need to be thrown away, but if you have items that are in a good or usable state, you can always sell them or donate them so they don’t go to waste. If that’s not reason enough for you, keep in mind decluttering will help you save on moving costs and will make packing and cleaning easier since you’ll have less stuff in the way.

Packing

Before you start packing and throwing things in boxes, think about what you need and when you’ll need it. Essentials or items that you will need right away, should be packed at the top or easily accessible.  Always label your boxes so you know what’s in them, and which room they need to go to when you’re unpacking. This will prevent items from getting damaged on the way, and will speed up the unpacking process. When it comes to packing, a good life hack is you can get boxes for free from your neighbourhood liquor store. Their inventory comes in these boxes and they usually recycle them or throw them away. Either way, you can get them for free.

Clean, Clean, Clean!!

If you want to get your damage deposit back, you’ll probably have to clean your place before you move. If you are a very hands on person, then the most important part is planning on when to clean so it aligns with your inspection and move out date. Because, let’s face it, nobody wants to clean up twice. If you would rather leave the cleaning to the professionals, there are many companies that can do this for you, but make sure you book ahead of time so it works with your inspection date and move out date.

Plan Your Inspection and Take Pictures

When moving out of or into a new place, it’s a good idea to do an inspection and also take pictures. Sometimes it’s a good idea to get a third party to do your inspection so there’s no conflict of interest. If you like to leave no stone unturned, always take pictures because a picture is worth a thousand words, or in this case could be worth a thousand dollars.

Plan Moving Ahead of Time

As obvious as this may seem, this part can be pretty tedious and requires some coordination. First of all, make sure you have your dates figured out. If you’re moving out you want to make sure you have somewhere to put your property when you move. Whether it’s at your new place or a temporary storage, make sure you have a place to put it once you move out. Make sure you have vehicles and people to help you move your things and they know when and where they’ll be needed. Making sure you have large enough vehicles and enough people to help you is very important. This will determine how many trips you need to make and how much time you’ll spend moving. Nobody likes moving at night even if there’s food and drinks at the end.

Update Your Mailing Address

If you are moving to a new location, it’s important to update your mailing address so you don’t miss any important mail. If you a have list of everyone and everything that sends you mail, then great, you can contact them and let them know you’re moving. If not, Canada Post has a mail forwarding service that can take care of this for you.

Update Your Insurance

If you have insurance, which we hope you do, you will need to update your insurance policy so it has your new home and not your old one. Plus, if you purchase or get rid of stuff while you’re moving, you may need to update the value of your property on your insurance policy.

Figure Out Your Utilities and Bills

If you had any utility bills for your old property, it’s important to make sure that they are paid off to avoid late fees, and make sure you’re not the account holder for the utility bills at your old place. This is very important if you had roommates and you’re moving and they’re not. It’s better to be proactive and get ahead of this before it becomes a problem that you need to try undo.

Return Your Keys

As obvious as this seems, some people can forget to return their keys, or could just pack them or lose them in the excitement and commotion of moving. So, keep on eye on your keys and make sure your landlord knows when and where to get them. If you have any spare keys or copies that you needed while you living there, make sure you return these too.

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