Moving into a New Home Plus Notify List

Moving Into a New Home – Things to Do

Moving into a new home can be an exciting time. A fresh start for your living situation can be just what you need to jump start, long put off, projects for home decor and organization.

Before you dive straight in, there are a few things that will guarantee a smoother move and a higher possibility of getting your deposit back at the end of the lease.

Moving into a new home checklist

Safety comes first

When moving into a new property, we recommend first conducting a walk-through to make sure everything is in working order. Test smoke detectors

Survey the damages

Unless it’s a brand new building, no unit or house will be without its little dents and dings. Really inspect the areas of your unit that can be ‘deposit’ thieves, like carpeting, window screens and baseboards.

If you find tears, snags, scrapes or cracks, be sure to thoroughly document their locations. If it helps, take pictures of all of the existing damage you discover.

These can accompany your entry condition report so the damages can’t be blamed on you later. Don’t forget to check all of the plumbing in your new unit. Spotting leaks, running toilets or poor water pressure can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

Reporting these problems early on will lead to speedy repairs. This can be especially helpful if your water payment isn’t included in your rent.

Test your smoke detectors

Upon moving into your new home, locate and test the smoke detectors to ensure they’re in working order

a smoke detector is an easy and inexpensive way to protect you and your loved ones in the event of a fire. However, smoke detectors can fail you when you need them most if you don’t address their malfunctions.

This is why testing your new home’s smoke detectors is so important. Light a few matches or spray a smoke test aerosol in front of each sensor every month or two to ensure they’re working.

Give notice to your lessor

You’ll need to give your landlord a heads-up as soon as possible. You must give at least 14 days notice to the lessor before the agreement ends.

Break a lease – Be sure to check your lease agreement for details on how to break a lease before making moving plans. there may be a loophole or compromise, such as finding a subletter that your lessor will agree to.

Transfer and set up utilities

Transferring utilities requires advanced planning, you don’t want to spend your first night in your new unit in the dark.

Call your utility service providers to arrange to transfer and set up utilities in your new home. Utilities may include internet, gas, electricity, satellite, security, phone, or other monthly services tied to your location.

It’s important to do this with plenty of time before you move, as utility providers will sometimes need to gain access to your home to disconnect your facilities like internet and electricity.

And if you’re not locked into a long-term contract, moving might be the perfect time to try a new service and take advantage of possible new customer discounts.

Purge things you don’t need

The less you move, the less expensive your move will cost. Donating, selling or trashing items you don’t need in your new home is a great way to save money.

Start to throw out sell or donate things you don’t need, like unused clothes and furniture or have a garage sale or sell them online. and take note of what needs to be replaced.

This will help you avoid those cringe moments when you’re unpacking a box of random junk and thinking to yourself, why didn’t I just donate this before I moved?

Important documents

You know, those super important documents that sit and collect dust in your filing cabinet? They have to come along for the ride, too. We’re talking birth certificates, medical records, insurance policies, and anything else of that nature.

If you have any documents with personal information that you don’t need anymore, be sure to shred them rather than just throwing them away.

Reserve a storage unit

If there are items you don’t need in the new home but aren’t ready to part with, research storage units in your area. Renting a storage unit is also an excellent space-saving solution for anyone downsizing to a smaller home.

Automate payments

Make sure monthly payments are automated. It’s easy to forget to pay certain bills (especially new bills) when you’re busy unpacking and settling into a new home. Make it easier by automating all credit card and bill payments online.

Find out about rubbish bins pickup days

If you’re moving to a rental, the lessor should let you know the trash and recycling pickup days as well as the pickup timing. If you purchased a new home, you can ask the sellers or neighbors for trash and recycling pickup timing. The quickest way is to call the City Council (Phone: 47473200).

Do the cleaning

The rental manager will have cleaned your unit before your arrival, but it’s always a good idea to give your new place some extra attention before moving in your furniture.

We’re not talking spring-cleaning style scrubbing. Just a quick once-over with the vacuum and wipe down of countertops and cabinets will do.

Windows and sliding doors may accumulate fingerprints throughout the move, so leave them and your Windex alone until after your furniture is in place.

Should you clean the home you’re leaving yourself, or pay a professional? The trade-off is your time and energy versus the cost. When moving out of a rental property, it may be worth having a professional do the cleaning so the release of your bond is not delayed.

Organize the electronics

After a long day of moving, you’ll probably want to kick back and watch TV or surf the Web. Most moves can take up to a week to really get everything in place.

Focus on setting up your television and computer on day one. If you need to mount your TV, be ready with all of the tools and equipment you will need to avoid having to take multiple trips to the shop.

When you plug everything in, make it easier on yourself by keeping your wires neat. Zip ties are an easy and inexpensive way to bundle cables and wires together neatly.

Moving into a new home checklist Australia

Your address is connected to so many aspects of your life that when you update your address, you update your life!

Most companies can be notified and updated online.

“Who to notify list”

Post office (Australia Post)
Phone and internet provider
Bank and credit card
Centrelink
superannuation provider
Insurance provider
Energy supplier
Driver’s licence
Vehicle and other registrations
Tax (ATO)
Payment services
Workplace
Medicare
MyGov
Personal services
Family and Friends
Electoral roll
Children’s school
Childcare services
Magazine/newspaper subscriptions
Sporting clubs
Shopping websites
Vet clinic
Food/Grocery Delivery services
Library

Note – If you rent, you don’t have to notify the City Council as rates and water do not apply. Also If you have a pet, you may want to get the microchip tag updated with your new address.

Change your mail address

If you haven’t done it yet, hop onto your computer and head to an online source for changing your address, or visit the ‘Australia Post shop’ in Mount Isa.

The last thing you need after paying deposits and rent is to be slammed with late fees due to bills that never came to your mailbox.

With these little tasks out of the way, you can dedicate your time and efforts to decorating and organizing your new unit home.

Browse for ideas on Pinterest or just let the chips (and furniture) fall where they may. In no time, your unit will be uniquely yours, and a place to call home. Congratulations!

Now’s the time to say “hello” to your neighbors and introduce yourself. Remember, you won’t meet anyone if you stay cooped up inside your unit.

We hope our ‘Moving Into a New Unit’ info, helps you with a successful move as you prepare to transition into your new home.