Moving Expenses
Moving is generally more expensive than you may believe. You're going to need to pay for the move — whether you hire professional movers or a rental truck and friends — get your funds ready for a new security deposit, lose some of your existing deposit, terminate and establish new utility services, and handle all other related costs. Not to mention all the time you'll need to pack up your possessions and clean the apartment. You may also have to take time off work, as moves rarely go as smoothly as planned. Then, once you are moved in, you'll likely have to take more time off work or spend time after work to unpack all your stuff and settle in, which could cost you even more money.
Necessity
Is the new place you are considering moving to really better or less expensive than your current place? Do you have to move at all? Limiting the number of moves you do in life to the bare minimum needed can save you money and headaches. After all, the expense and time you incur when moving could be used in a much more productive way. For example, you could pay off some of your debts, save some money for retirement, or really, use that money for anything other than unnecessary relocation! However, if really do have to move, hopefully it is due to a real need so you'll work hard to find a reasonably priced place that you'll love and stay in for years.
Security Deposit Refund
One of the biggest concerns when people move is getting their security deposit refunded. Depending on the landlord, he or she can try to take as much as legally possible from your security deposit, or he or she may be much more fair and reasonable and allow you to have most of your deposit back. The best way to increase the chances of getting back most of your money is to do a pre-move out inspection a week or two in advance so the landlord can note (in writing) any issues that would cause deductions from your deposit. This way, you can correct those issues, notify the landlord in writing that the issues are corrected, and thereby get more money back. In addition, having the place professionally cleaned, preferably from a company the landlord suggests, is also a good way to handle things. It will cost probably $75-$150 for this service, but it will save you the time and hassle of having to do an intense cleaning yourself. Lastly, the landlord must refund your deposit and itemize any deductions in writing. If they don’t do it in a timely manner as required by state law, you may be able to force them to repay the entire amount. Research your state's laws for more information.
Utilities
You will also need to properly terminate your prior utilities or move them and order new utilities for where you are moving. Ordering the new ones is the most important thing because you need the electricity, gas, and water to be turned on before you move in. Make sure to coordinate to have these services properly activated in time so you can go test them a day or two before you actually move in. Keep all the phone numbers for the service providers handy in case there is an issue. And don’t neglect to schedule your existing utilities to terminate when you move out of your old place so you won't be paying for them at a place where you no longer live.
Research
Finally, if you are moving, did you shop enough for a great new place? Did you read the lease before you signed it, and are you comfortable with all the lease terms? Did you do a pre-move in walkthrough with the landlord and detail any issues in writing? Did you take pictures of the move in condition, especially any carpet stains, holes in walls, broken items, etc. so you will have a record of those when you move out? It’s best to bring up these items diplomatically when you move in so the owner is aware of them. That way, you can remind them of the issues when you eventually move out if they were not resolved during your residency.
Those are just a few items to consider the next time you are contemplating or planning a move. Doing this should help ease the change from your old residence to your new one.
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