Arranging Move-in Details with Your New Apartment Community

It’s time to move in! As you complete the tasks on your moving checklist, you’ll want to make sure everything is arranged at your new apartment community.

Here are some tips for drawing on your community’s resources to make your move simpler and less stressful.

New apartment walk-through
Schedule a walk-through with a community manager before you move in. During the walk-through, discuss and document imperfections in the apartment that you want addressed before you move in, or that you want a record of so that you’re not held responsible later. (You may want to bring a digital camera and take photos of any existing issues, such as minor imperfections or scuffs in the paint.) This is also a good time to measure doorframes in case you have any very large furniture you fear might not fit through.

Moving day
Discuss moving day details with your apartment community manager in advance of your move. Your manager may ask you to schedule the move for a time that minimizes hassles for you and current residents. For instance, she may ask you to begin your move after a certain time of day in order to minimize traffic or noise issues. If someone else is scheduled to move in or out on the same day, it may be easier for both of you if your moves are coordinated so that your moving trucks aren’t fighting for space.

Your apartment community manager may begin talking with you about moving details as soon as you sign your lease. If not, you’ll want to be proactive. Call at least a week in advance of your move and tell the community manager clearly when you plan to show up with your moving truck. Get ready to ask the following questions, and write down the answers:

• Will there be any problem with you arriving on your chosen day and time?
• Where should you park the moving truck?
• Can you reserve access to an elevator or freight elevator for your move?
• Do they have a particular route into the community or flight of stairs recommended for your use?
• Do they have any dolly carts or other tools they can loan you, or do you need to bring all your own moving equipment?
• Will someone be there to give you the keys to your apartment? If not, where and when can you get them?
• If the community is gated, will you need someone to open the gate and help your moving truck get in? Can you pick up your access card along with your apartment key?
• Do they want to send a community manager to supervise or help you with your move?

After these details are sorted out — perhaps close to your move-in date — you may want to confirm your move-in time with your apartment community by e-mail.

Getting answers to these questions from a community manager — preferably one who’s frequently working on-site — doesn’t guarantee a smoother move, but it should help to solve many potential moving problems. Arrange details like these in advance, and then concentrate on moving into your new apartment home.

Source: http://moving.apartmentguide.com/moving-packing/arranging-move-in-details-with-your-new-apartment-community/?WT.mc_id=30281