Adulting 101: Your Complete Moving Out Guide + Checklist

Editor's Note: Adulting 101 is our article series featuring Survival Guides for millennials and everyone doing these "adulting stuff" for the first time.

Summary of Moving Out Guide:

• Notify change of address
• What is Renter’s Insurance?
• What to do before moving into a new apartment?
• Do I need to inform my new landlord weeks before moving?
• What is the average cost of moving into a new apartment in NZ?
• What to pack in my essential bag?

Now that you’ve found the right apartment for you, it’s time to plan how you'll move out, and sort things out from there. 

If it’s your first time moving and you have no idea where to start, we got you covered with this guide so you're not as overwhelmed during the big moving out day. 

Deal with your stuff beforehand

Schedule your moving process two to three months in advance in order to make way for several things to be pre-arranged. 

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Notify change of address

Take note that your providers won’t know if you’ve changed address unless you tell them yourself. Notify your electricity, internet, water, mobile network, insurance, and credit card providers (phew, among other subscriptions!) before moving out of your old address. This also follows a change in your mailing address which, conveniently, can all be completed online. 

What is Renter’s Insurance?

Insurance companies offer contents and renter’s insurance to secure your belongings even when you’re away from home. If you’re thinking of getting insurance to cover your valued items, you can opt to include coverage for contents while in transit.

Pro-tip: Get insurance before moving in or on your moving day. This way, your things are covered while being transported to your new place. 

What to do before moving into a new apartment

Moving into a new apartment checklist: 

A month before your move.

Before finalising your decision to move, you have to tell your current landlord first so you're aligned with what needs to be arranged prior to moving out. It gives landlords time to get your place ready for the incoming renter and possibly help you with your stuff while you’re at it. 

Do I need to inform my new landlord weeks before moving in? 

Yes. Reach out to your new landlord about your moving date. Take this time to ask about facilities such as parking and elevators, if any, so you’d know what to expect even before moving in. There are landlords today who accept online payments for their rental. In which case, you can ask how you can set up an account for your first month’s rent online.

Know more about your neighborhood by checking out the nearest grocery stores, gas stations and community centers for all your needs. 

This period should set your expectations prior to settling into your new apartment. Do as much research as you can. It won’t hurt to ask around and keep yourself updated. You still have a month left before moving out, anyway. 

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Three weeks before your move. 

At this time, you should check your pantry for food items you want to bring. You can’t take loads of food into your new place especially when you have limited space for storage. What you can do is share them to your neighbors or current landlord to avoid spoilage.  

If you care for a pet or set of plants in your current apartment, you can make prior arrangements with your moving company. While movers can help you travel your precious home companions, you can always choose to bring them with you in your car on your moving day. 

Have your package boxes and travel bags ready so you can start setting aside your valuables and a few kitchen essentials.

What is the average cost of moving into a new apartment in NZ?

While New Zealand is a small country on its own, moving to another city or locality can still be quite expensive.

Moving costs depends on factors such as location, number of movers you get and the type of building you’re moving out from.

• One-bedroom apartment with 2 local movers - $500
• Two-bedroom apartment with an estimated moving time of 5-6 house - $700-$800
• Three-bedroom apartment with 4 local crew members - $1000-$1,500
• Larger homes with roughly 2000 square feet and up - >$2,500

Two weeks before your move.

As you're closing in on your moving day, you should already be packing up your things one by one. Instead of buying boxes which cost around $2 to $6, you ask some from your local grocery or utilise spare package boxes from your deliveries. 

When you’re done packing, you can put them aside and start tidying up the place. Take away the things that you won’t need and only leave space for what’s really important. Take this opportunity to donate used up furniture or appliances to your local orgs. You can also post on TradeMe to dispose of these things.

While you’re busy scrubbing up your old apartment, you might also want to consider making arrangements for your new place and have it cleaned. You can save a lot of time and energy when you won’t have to worry about dust and dirt upon lodging. You can easily Google house cleaning services to check trusted cleaners in your area.

A week before your move. 

All you have to do during this time is confirm and wait for the moving day to arrive. Keep in touch with your movers with regards the time and date of the move. Your new landlord should likewise be informed about your scheduled move. 

Prepare an essential bag

An essential bag should come in handy when you need anything from cleaning, cooking, and other necessary repairs. 

What to pack in my essential bag?

You can bring one or two essential bags depending on your circumstances. But basically, you will only need these items once you’ve settled in. 

1. Keys
2. Phone chargers
3. First-aid kit
4. Spare batteries
5. Toiletries
6. Paper supplies
7. Bedsheets and a pillow 
8. Cleaning supplies (dishwashing soap, rags, broom and a dustpan)
9. Flashlight 
10. Daily vitamins/medication 
11. Cookware (pans, can opener, spoon and fork)
12. Instant coffee
13. Bottled water
14. Food for your pets 
15. Tool kit (pliers, screwdriver, hammer)
16. Pair of scissors
17. Identification cards
18. Duct tape
19. Pen and paper
20. Umbrella or portable heater

More tips when moving to your new apartment 

Ask friends to help you move your things

Why hire professional (and pricey) help when you can have your closest friends to help you out? Aside from saving up on your moving process, it’s also a nice way to catch up and experience this fresh start with them. 

Consider moving at nighttime

If you don’t have movers to transfer your things, you can drive to your new apartment during the nighttime. You can expect clearer roads in the evening, which will make moving more convenient for you, especially when you have boxes of things in transit.

Take advantage of the crevices 

Know how to pack your things wisely. Use all the space you have so you won’t need more boxes to fill with your clothes and other belongings. 

Use clothes as padding

Avoid breaking your chinaware and glass objects by using any cotton material as padding. You can make do with your old clothes or undies to protect your glass wares as well. There are a lot of Youtube tutorials on how to properly layer your stuff when packing, so you don't break the 'fragile' stuff.

Moving is a hassle but with proper planning and a little help from friends, you can get away with stress and finally settle in your new home right away. Make sure you get the right internet connection for you this time! Checkout the best Broadband deals in your area, right here at CompareBear!