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Tips to Prepare for an Apartment Move-in within 30 or 60 days

If you plan to find a new apartment in the next few months, then you may be wondering what else you’ll need to do in the days leading up to your move-in besides choosing a new home. Whether your move-in date is just 30 days away or you’ve got a lengthier window of 60 days or more, find tips for preparing for your upcoming move below!

What to Do 30-60 Days (or More) Before Moving to Your New Apartment

As explained at Zillow, the application and approval process for a new apartment can happen fairly quickly. Often, it’s everything else that needs to be done prior to your move-in date that takes time or requires it. Here are a few tips to help you with what you need to do in the months or weeks ahead before it’s finally time to transition to your new apartment!

Check Your Existing Lease At Least 60 Days Prior To Moving

No later than 60 days out (but preferably even earlier, especially if you haven’t reviewed your lease recently), check your current lease for expectations regarding ending your residence in that apartment and your anticipated move-out. Often, at least 30 or 60 days of notice in writing is required, but there may be other information to consider, especially if you want to conclude your lease earlier than previously agreed.

Aside from requirements regarding when and how to notify your landlord and the associated timing of your move, your existing lease may also detail other necessities like unit cleaning and repair that needs to be done prior to move-out. These details are especially important if you are hoping to receive some or all of your security deposit back.

Given that a minimum of 30 or 60 days is often designated for when to give notice about vacating your current apartment, the 30-60 day timeframe is also when searching for and securing a new apartment typically takes place. However, some people may start looking for a new place to live even earlier than a month or two out. You may want to do this too if you know demand might be high in a particular neighborhood at a certain time of year, are new to the state or have a very specific wishlist for your apartment. A longer search window may also give you a better chance of finding leasing specials or simply more time to compare your options.

Start Packing & Planning a Move Around 30 Days Prior to Moving

Ideally no later than 30 days out or as soon as you’ve signed that new lease, it’s time to pack and set your moving plan. In fact, the packing timeline provided by Redfin recommends starting the process 6-8 weeks before a move (though plans for doing so in less time are also provided near the end of this guide). This earlier start date may be especially beneficial if you have a lot to sort through in order to determine what’s going with you and what needs to be donated, sold or thrown away.

Aside from the mental, physical and perhaps emotional work involved in the packing process, it’s also time to finalize the logistics of your move. Whether you plan to enlist friends and family to help or to schedule professional movers, you may have services, calendar availability and even pet or child care to manage, not to mention all of your stuff!

Focus on Paperwork with 14 Days Prior to Moving

In the last few weeks prior to your move-in, it’s time to take care of tasks like having your mail forwarded to your new address and arranging for internet or other utilities to be canceled at your old place or transferred/installed at your new location, as highlighted in the week-by-week moving checklist from Apartment Therapy. After confirming what utilities you’ll need to set up yourself in your new apartment (versus any that are included in your monthly rent), you may want to check out the guide to switching utilities from Apartment List for assistance with this part of the moving process.

Are you looking for a new Cincinnati residence? From the 5 Saint Xavier Park apartment communities in Downtown Cincinnati to the apartments for rent in places like Warren County and Campbell County, you’ll find a wide range of floor plans, amenities and more at the various Live NAProperties locations in and around Cincinnati. Once you find the apartment that you’d like to call home, apply online or right at the leasing office of your preferred property, such as Centennial Station. Approval timing can vary, but your leasing team may be able to provide you with an estimated timeframe when you apply. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, contact our leasing experts today!