Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Brooke Niemeyer, Editorial Partnerships Manager at Policygenius.
When you move to a new apartment, there’s a lot on your mind. You’ve got to clean, get furniture, stock the fridge, make sure the coffee pot is up and running, unpack… the list goes on and on.
There are plenty of lists outlining the basics you need for an apartment — from cleaning supplies and linens to cozy decorative items — but there are finer details that can make your adjustment to a new apartment easier. Here are seven essentials most people forget when moving.
Address updates
There’s a good reason to share your new address with people other than friends and family. Why? Well, if you don’t, you’ll not only miss out on holiday photos of Prince George and Princess Charlotte in your latest issue of People, but you’ll also face hassles like past due bills, service lapses or possibly identity theft. It’s also a good idea to register with the U.S. Postal Service to get your mail forwarded.
New locks
If your landlord didn’t already change the locks, put in a request to get it done. You never know who had a key to your place before you.
Space savers
There’s only so much space to be found in an apartment, so utilizing every square inch is essential. Consider picking up some rollaway bins for seasonal clothes that can go under the bed and shelves to use any free space above the toilet.
Peace of mind
What will make you feel safe in your new digs? Is it a guard dog, renters insurance, extra deadbolts, an alarm system? All of the above? Whatever makes you feel like you (and your stuff) are safe is an absolute must.
Trash bags & receptacles
“If you haven’t hired someone to clean before you move in, you’d spend some time tidying up the place,” Catherine Burns, a professional cleaner, said. You’ll be glad to have these bags as you start unpacking and need to throw things away.
Plus, having them on hand to line your trash cans makes garbage removal a cleaner and easier experience once you’re all settled. Speaking of making things easy…
Convenience
“I would say my go-to pick for any savvy apartment dweller with an Amazon Prime subscription is to take advantage of the automatic reordering feature for all of the household items you use on a daily basis,” Brett DeRocker, a real estate agent in Boston, said.
Think of things like laundry and dish detergents, paper towels, toilet paper and Kleenex.
Extra outlets
Often times, apartments don’t have enough outlets. Once you’ve plugged in your phone charger and lamp, you’re out of room. If you’re going to plug in electronics, get a surge protector, designed to protect your gadgets from voltage spikes, instead of a regular power strip.
Want more tips to make your move more seamless? Check out these 9 things everyone forgets to do when moving.
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