8 Things to Do After Your Move - Dynamic Moving Montreal - Montreal Moving Company - Montreal MoversDynamic Moving Montreal – Montreal Moving Company

Before you pop open that bottle of champagne and throw a housewarming party, there are still a few things that need to be ticked off of your move-in checklist. Yes, there will be a suitable time for well-deserved celebrations later on, but right now it’s time to roll up your sleeves one more time and get down to work. Before you get too comfortable and go into a hurry of unpacking all those boxes, check out this list of things to do right after moving into a new place. This can be a stressful time, so we put together this checklist of eight things to do when you move to a new house to help you get acclimated.

Get Organized

Let’s face it, moving your stuff is one of the most daunting aspects of getting a new apartment. All those big pieces of furniture and moving boxes filled to the brim aren’t the first things you want to deal with when you’re trying to get settled. Once the movers leave, inspect each moving container for visual damage or any other signs of obvious mistreatment. If you find out broken or damaged goods, note down the specific damage in your inventory list and contact the moving company in an attempt to resolve the issue peacefully.

Take photos

When you rent an apartment, you pay a security deposit to cover any damage to the place that happens while you’re living there. When the lease is up, you’ll get it back, as long as there’s no damage. The question is, how do you prove there’s no damage? By taking photos. Write down everything! Don’t be shy. It will pay off later when you’re looking to get your security deposit back.

Transfer & Set Up Utilities

It’s smart to connect all of your must-have utilities like water, gas, and electricity before you move in. This will help pave the way for a smooth move-in process and ensure you have the essential necessities as you’re trying to get settled in your new place. Depending on your neighborhood and local service providers, there can be hoops to jump through to connect utilities. Check with your local providers to determine the process, what type of ownership or residence verification you need, and how far in advance you should schedule turn-on for your utilities.

Change the locks

It is always good practice to change the locks in your new home. Even if you’re not concerned about the previous owner, you never know who might have a key. This is definitely one of those areas where it’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, it’s always a best practice to have multiple sets of keys to your place, especially if you live alone. Ideally, having three sets of keys is the way to go one to be your primary set, one given to a trusted friend or neighbor, and the third to be the backup, just in case.

Create a maintenance schedule

It’s wise to think of maintaining your new home as a marathon rather than a sprint. Instead of trying to tackle all of the maintenance tasks immediately, be thoughtful about the things that need to be done over time. This may include (but not be limited to) replacing air filters, cleaning the gutters, checking if your metal roof needs replacing, having the carpet cleaned and pressure washing the exterior.

Get the scoop on cable & internet

You may be restricted to a certain provider mandated by the apartment you move into, or your area may only have one provider. In these cases, your decision will be quite easy. If this isn’t the case, though, check out your options on review sites like Yelp or ask your neighbors or coworkers which provider they use and what they like/don’t like about it.

Meet the neighbors

Meeting your neighbors is a lot easier and less awkward—to do right when you’ve moved in. Whether you live in a large high rise with hundreds of units, a small walk-up with four other couples or a bustling neighborhood, it’s always worth a shot to be friendly with those living in closest proximity to you.

Check for leaks

Ideally, your home inspector ensured that your house is leak-free. But with a simple double-check, you can give yourself peace of mind. When you’re moving in and not yet using any water, check your water meter. Wait two hours, making sure no one uses any water, then check your meter again. It should read exactly the same. If it doesn’t, you have a plumbing leak.