Moving Into a New Rental? Tackle These Important Tasks First

By Dawn M. Smith for MilitaryByOwner

 

After the final box is unloaded and the last mover has shut the door, it’s time to take a quick breather and set your action plan into motion. The first things to do after moving into your rental home are a little bit different for everyone, but many of us focus on the most important tasks so we can begin calling our new rental house our home. 

The trick is to uncover what your family prioritizes the most. Is it cleanliness, and removing every trace of the previous tenants? Or, do you prefer to focus on a few zones of sanctuary to nest in, happy to have somewhere to retreat to when you need a break? 

First things first! Hopefully you’ve already taken care of these important moving tasks:

When you first arrive:

1. Transfer all utilities into your name: internet, power, and water. No one wants to move into a home during the summer without air conditioning or water. Make this transfer a priority, because each state has their own regulations. It may be that you need the previous tenant to call and cancel before you can add your name. 

2. Ask the movers to assemble beds. Many military families choose to have the movers only unpack and assemble large and time-consuming items such as beds and TVs. This strategy purposefully leaves the smaller boxes like decor and kitchen items for after the movers leave. This way, you’ll have more time to think about the best places for each item to be stored or displayed. 

3. Complete the first draft of your move-in checklist. It’s so much easier to document existing damage before mountains of boxes invade the space. Take plenty of photos and write (in detail) as much as possible about your discoveries for the landlord to sign off. Don’t worry; most leases state that you can amend the list after living in the home awhile. You won’t catch everything during the first inspection. 

4. Update your renters insurance. You might need more coverage than you previously had. During a move, all of the items you’ve acquired since the last property estimate become obvious, especially if you’ve added children or a home office.

5. Change your address with USPS and Amazon. The new family at your last address will love the surprises you’ve accidentally shipped them, but this mistake is frustrating and costly. 

With these essential chores behind you, it’s time to jump in, learn about your new home, and start to make it your own.

If you prefer to start with a clean slate:

If a sparkling clean home is what makes you happy, upack your cleaning accessories and get to work! 

1. Clean your bathrooms. Even if a professional move out clean was required by the landlord, a quick wipe down of the toilets and counters often offers relief to new renters. Keep in mind that big-box home stores have options for affordable replacement toilet seats. Snap a picture of the existing seat to remind yourself of the shape, color, and manufacturer. 

2. Scour the kitchen appliances. There’s a gross factor attached to finding the previous tenant’s food crumbs and odors in the fridge and microwave and on the stove top. Take care of this chore early on, so you will be comfortable with loading your fresh food into the refrigerator after the groceries arrive. If it’s egregious, you should let your landlord know about the previous tenant’s neglect. 

3. Wipe down your pantry and shelving. Syrup messes and soy sauce stains must go! Before adding in your dry goods, take the time to wipe down all of the shelving. Add in your organizational systems or shelf paper/adhesive to maximize the space. You might also prefer to clean the shelves in linen closets, the laundry room, and the bathrooms before unpacking your items.

4. Clean your heater and air conditioning registers. First change any filters if needed. You’ll want the cleanest air flow possible as you move in. Clogged registers are not only inefficient, but are unsightly and sometimes smell, especially if pet dander and hair are the culprits. 

5. Learn your trash and recycling days. Moving always produces a lot of waste. Make sure you’re aware of trash and recycling pickup dates so you don’t miss a crucial amount of removal early on. Military families are constantly looking for moving boxes, if you prefer to pass them on. Otherwise, read over pick-up policies for details about which receptacles are approved and if yard waste is a separate service. 

If you prefer to nest first:

Many of us need some zen during a PCS. If knowing a peaceful bedroom, complete kitchen, or home-cooked meal is waiting at the end of a long unpacking day helps you stress less, then you’ll want to start with these to-do items. 

1. Send for groceries. There are plenty of ways to have groceries delivered to your home. Choose one and look forward to non-fast food takeout for your first night home.

2. Locate the main water shut-off and electrical box. New houses are interesting, and emergencies often highlight their eccentricities. For peace of mind, find out how to shut off the water in case of a disaster. You’ll be testing the limits of your house’s electrical capacity right as you move in. In case of blown fuses, find the electrical panel early during the move-in process to remedy the problem quickly. You’ll probably also want to familiarize yourself with the sump pump or generator if the house requires them. 

3. Check your detectors. Safety first! Smoke and fire alarms need new batteries, as do carbon monoxide detectors. At least check their functionality so you can sleep easier at night. 

4. Find the nearest emergency room and urgent care. Again with the emergencies! Moving brings out the clumsy. Research your area for the closest emergency facilities that take your version of TRICARE. Locating pet ERs and urgent care centers is also a good idea. 

5. Help your pets. Pets are a lot like us. They get stressed when routines are changed. Show them their new spot for water and food, place their bed in a central space so they can see the family, and familiarize them with their new territory by taking a quick walk or a tour of the backyard. Don’t forget to update their microchip! 

6. Build your sleeping space. Quality sleep is a big deal during stressful times. Prep your bed and linens for a comfortable night’s rest. Unpack some clothing and essentials to easily find pajamas and toiletries for a soothing shower. 

7. Familiarize yourself with the doors, locks, and security features. Learn the security features of the doors of the house. Becoming locked out the first day will be exceptionally painful. You may want to make copies of keys early on to have on-hand or hidden on the property. You can avoid the embarrassing, loud wail of an accidentally tripped, unfamiliar alarm system if you take a few minutes to understand the operation. 

 

With a little forethought, and personal proclivity to clean or nest, it’s easy to prioritize which tasks are the first things to do after moving into your rental home. Go easy on yourself! A PCS is stressful, and it typically requires months to finally feel at home.