Moving This Spring? The Ultimate Apartment Moving Checklist

Finding a new apartment is an accomplishment, but you still have one last leg of the journey before you can relax in your new home: the actual move. It’s a lengthy process that starts months from your set date. To help you navigate your move with ease, we’ve broken it down into everything you need to do and when to do it in this checklist for moving.

Key Takeaways

• Start planning your move two months in advance by decluttering, hiring movers, creating a budget, gathering supplies, and notifying your landlord.
• When you have one month left before your move, it’s time to transfer utilities, update renters insurance, secure cleaning services, and pack non-essential and infrequently used items.
• In the final week and days leading up to your move, confirm mover details, finish repairs, document both apartments, and pack a first-night essentials box to ensure a smooth transition.

Moving Checklist for Two Months Before You Move

Start organizing and decluttering

Before you even think about packing, the first step is organizing. Try to stop buying new items and start getting rid of anything you don’t use. There’s plenty of downsizing and decluttering methods you can try to find the one that works for you. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• The KonMari Method™: This method is quite in-depth, but the basis is only keeping what sparks joy in you. Typically, you tidy by category, not location. However, the focus of the method is only keeping items that speak to your heart.
• The 4-Box Method: You create four boxes to categorize items with this method. The boxes are trash, donate/sell, storage, and keep. There are many variations with this method, from different categories to alternate number of boxes.
• The Ski Slope Method: Work through each room as if it were a ski slope, by decluttering from side to side and top to bottom.

Along the same vein, get rid of any furniture or items that won’t fit into your new apartment. Often, charities will come by and pick up your items for free if you schedule a time with them.

Whether you start packing months in advance or wait until you are a week or two out from your moving date is up to you. However, if you start organizing well before then, it makes packing easier.

Hire movers

Hiring movers is a great way to take some of the stress and work out of your move. To make the most of your money, make sure you follow these steps:

• Hire a reputable company by reading reviews and getting referrals.
• Pick whether you pack your belongings or the moving company does. Packing is typically an additional service that you must request and pay for.
• Decide the level of service that you need. Do you want a full-service moving company that will pack all your items, transfer it to the truck, transport it, then unload it? Or do you need a more minimal service?
• Get multiple estimates to find one that fits your budget and needs. Ask about their services so you know what you are getting as well.

Create a moving budget

Moving is expensive, regardless of whether you hire movers or do it yourself. From the actual moving supplies to a moving company, the price can add up quickly. That’s not taking into account the upfront costs of your new apartment, like the security deposit, move-in fees, and utilities fees.

Creating a moving budget will help you financially prepare for the big day without putting too much stress on your wallet. Don’t forget to add in additional expenses, such as if you need to buy new furniture or replace something that broke.

Centralize all moving information

There’s a lot of shifting parts to moving that can be tough to keep track of. Create dedicated areas to keep all your moving information, both physical and digital. A binder works great to keep any physical documents while folders on your computer or in your email keeps key moving info in its own spot.

Collect moving supplies

Start collecting boxes, tape, bubble wrap, wrapping paper, and anything else you might need. While you can buy these items, there are budget-friendly ways to get them such as:

• Asking friends and family who have moved recently for moving supplies
• Collecting boxes from grocery stores or retailers
• Checking online sources for free supplies
• Renting moving boxes from moving companies

Give your landlord notice

Depending on what state you live in, you must give your landlord your notice to vacate within a certain time period. Generally, a 60-day notice is required, but it can range anywhere from 30 to 90 days.

Be exact and tell them the day you will return the keys and the day you are moving, if that differs. It may be good to move your belongings a couple of days before you have to turn in your key, in order to have time to clean.

Set a date and time for a final walkthrough

As you give your landlord your notice, you should also take the chance to schedule a final walkthrough. This will be the last review of your apartment’s condition and will determine if you get your security deposit back or not. Make sure you clean and make any necessary repairs so your apartment looks like it did when you moved in.

Schedule your move

Depending on what type of apartment you live in, you might have to schedule your move-out and move-in. Apartment communities have different moving policies, so it’s good to check with the property manager or your landlord beforehand.

Some communities need advance notice if you are having additional moving assistance, like trucks or a moving company. Or you might need to reserve space for your move, whether that’s the freight elevator or truck parking space. It also gives you time to get the permits and forms you need as some cities require parking permits for moving vans.

Checklist for Moving One Month Before You Move

Transfer utilities and insurance

Setting up utilities is one of the most important tasks because without them, you’ll be left without water, light, and other key necessities. Check with your new landlord as some have required utility providers that you must work with.

Set your activation date for a day or so before your move-in so that everything is up and running when you get there. On the flip side, set the deactivation of your old apartment’s utilities for the day you hand in your keys so you aren’t left without lights or water.

While you’re updating everything, change your renters insurance as well. Many landlords require renters insurance before you move in, so you’ll have to provide them with proof.

Schedule cleaners

If you aren’t doing the move-out cleaning yourself, then make sure to schedule a cleaning company well in advance. Doing it a month or so before you move makes sure you get your time slot and your apartment is left looking great for the final walkthrough.

You can also hire a cleaning company to deep clean your new apartment as well. Just be aware you might have to do another quick clean after moving day as it can get dirty with so many people and items coming in and out.

Start packing

Packing is a long process so it’s best to get a head start on it. Once you’re done organizing and downsizing, you can start packing moving boxes. Start with items that you don’t frequently use, like seasonal décor or out-of-season clothing.

Start an inventory of all the boxes and what is in each one. This will help you make sure you know where items are and that you don’t forget anything. If you’re using a moving company, having an inventory is also helpful for them.

Moving Out Checklist for Two Weeks Before You Move

Confirm with movers

While it’s highly unlikely that anything has changed with the movers since you scheduled, call them to confirm everything is set and ready to go. Double check the date and time the movers are scheduled to prevent any communication mishaps.

Start repair work

Normal wear and tear is allowable for the condition of the apartment; however, if you have made any alterations to the apartment, now is the time to rectify that. Whether it’s something as small as filling nail holes or as large as painting walls back to their original color, you need to leave the apartment in the same condition as when you moved in.

Change your address and forward your mail

When it comes to changing your address, make sure you update the most important places, including:

• USPS
• The Department of Motor Vehicles or state equivalent
• Employer(s)
• Banks
• Medical providers
• The IRS
• Schools
• Subscriptions
• Anywhere else that needs your new address

When you update your address, mail should head to your new place. However, to catch any loose ends or already in-transit mail, you should contact USPS to forward your mail. That way, any mail addressed to you will find you in your new home.

Get packing in earnest

While you’ve probably already started packing, two weeks out is the time you need to kick it in gear. Your apartment may end up looking like a maze of boxes and furniture prepared for the move.

Create designated areas for full moving boxes so that you have room to get around and continue packing. Everything that you don’t frequently use should be packed up. In addition, start prepping your “first-night” box, which is all the items you will need on the first night in your new home. Consider setting a couple of boxes aside for delicate items that you will take with you instead of having them moved.

Check in with your landlord

Contact both landlords to confirm your move-in and move-out dates and when you are picking up and dropping of the keys. Double check that all moving arrangements are squared away.

Start emptying out your fridge and pantry

The less food items you have to take with you the better, so start eating what you can from your pantry and fridge. The fridge and freezer are especially important to empty as those items may not last during your move. Try to avoid buying new groceries and use up what you already have.

Apartment Moving Checklist for the Day Before You Move

Finish packing

Everything except your daily essentials should already be packed, and now is the time to pack those. This includes putting all items in your first-night box so all you have to do is tape it shut and go.

Go over your moving plan

Regardless if you are using a moving company or doing it yourself, it’s time to go over your moving plan one last time. Make sure you know the timing and details, like the parking and unloading situation. This will help moving day go smoothly without any hiccups.

Make sure you have everything you need for moving day

Check that you have all the keys and documents you need to move. Everything should be clearly labeled and accessible.

Conduct a move-in inspection in your new apartment

While you probably have plenty to do in your old apartment, carve out some time to head to your new one. Before the movers bring everything in, you should do a move-in walkthrough. Whether required by your landlord or not, it’s a good idea to document the condition of your new apartment and take note of any existing issues or damage. This is also time to take pictures of your new apartment as proof of the condition.

Checklist for the Day of the Move

Review your inventory

If you made an inventory list beforehand, now is the time to pull it out. Most moving companies do their own inventory as well, so it’s helpful to compare the two to make sure nothing is missing. Both inventories should also have the condition and details for each of the items. Check this on departure as well as arrival.

Welcome movers

Before the movers get started, let them know any special instructions, like which boxes not to take and any fragile ones. While it may feel weird to stand by and watch the movers work, don’t offer your help and let them focus their job. The biggest way you can help movers is by having designated spots for everything. For example, put boxes and personal items that are not to be moved in their own area. Be present in case they have any questions and feel free to offer them drinks or snacks.

Moving Checklist for After the Move

Move-out cleaning

Before you start unpacking in your new home, it’s time to clean your old one. Give it a deep clean or hire a cleaning company. Move-out cleaning is thorough, and you should get into all the nooks and crannies that you might not typically clean.

Take photos of your old apartment

Now that the movers are on their way and your apartment is empty, it is the perfect time to take pictures. Documenting the condition of your apartment upon move-out can help you get your security deposit back.

Walkthrough with landlord

Once you’re done cleaning, it’s time for the final walkthrough with your previous landlord. This is where you can discuss any issues and show that you left the apartment in good condition. Since this is likely your last time in the apartment, make sure to do one final check to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Hand over the keys

After your final walkthrough, say goodbye to the apartment you’ve called home. Hand over the keys to your landlord and start on the next chapter of your housing journey.

Settle in with Apartments.com

Moving day may be behind you, but apartment living comes with its own learning curve. From setting up your space to understanding lease terms, maintenance, and neighbor etiquette, the Renterverse blog is built to help renters navigate every part of their renting journey.

You’ll find practical guides, seasonal checklists, and real-world advice on everything from decorating a small apartment to handling common renter responsibilities. Settle in faster and feel comfortable in your new home with Apartments.com.