Moving checklist

In the hustle of moving to a new rental property, it’s always handy to have a checklist of tasks that need to be done, which you can tick off one by one. StartHousing has developed an innovative moving checklist that covers all the to-dos.

Once you know you’re moving:

• Consider giving notice on your current rental property
• Arrange for the transfer of phone, internet, and TV services
• Discuss with the current occupants of the new house about the possibility of taking over items like carpets, curtains, etc.
• Arrange for time off work for the move
• Inquire about possible reimbursement for moving expenses
• Check if you’re eligible for tax deductions on moving expenses
• Take measurements of the new house
• Update or cancel automatic transfers
• Cancel services like house cleaning and window washing
• Contact movers and request a quote
• Schedule a meeting with the movers
• Be mindful of purchases considering the upcoming move
• Start decluttering and sorting items you don’t want to take to the new home

If you’re moving to a different city:

• Apply for a residency permit from the municipality where you’re moving
• Buy a city or regional map (some municipalities offer free maps to new residents!)
• Take a stroll around the neighborhood where you’ll be living

Check with the municipality where you’re moving about:

• Schools, shops, associations
• Childcare facilities
• Family support services
• Health centers
• Babysitting services
• Waste collection system
• Parking regulations for caravans, etc.
• Balcony usage regulations
• Dog taxes and leash regulations

Four to two weeks before moving:

• Make a list of people to send change-of-address cards to and arrange for cards
• Inform your doctor, dentist, specialists, and pharmacist
• Update your health insurance and bank
• Notify your child’s school and enroll them in the new school/schools
• Inform your home and contents insurance provider
• Notify your life insurance and pension fund providers
• Inform your car insurance provider
• Inform any other insurance providers
• Arrange for gas, water, and electricity to be disconnected at the old property
• Arrange for gas, water, and electricity at the new property
• Cancel or redirect your magazine subscriptions

The last two weeks before moving:

• Arrange for childcare on moving day with family and friends
• Arrange for pet care on moving day and inform the caretaker
• Arrange for key handover for the old house
• Arrange for key handover for the new house and consider making spare keys
• Return borrowed items
• Start packing (see “Packing-Unpacking”)

The last few days before moving:

• Pack everything you won’t need at the last minute
• Stock up on easy meals for the evening before moving day and for moving day itself
• Ensure you have enough coffee on hand
• Use the last garbage collection day to dispose of any remaining items
• Secure the washing machine drum
• Ensure you have enough cash on hand for the last day and evening before moving
• Take children to their overnight accommodation
• Take pets to their overnight accommodation
• Turn off and empty the fridge
• Set the freezer to the coldest setting and dry the fridge
• Disassemble removable furniture
• Try to reserve space for the moving truck with your own car and your neighbors’ cars
• Go to bed early

On moving day:

• Get up early
• Keep medical papers in your hand luggage
• Keep cash and checks in your hand luggage
• Check the attic for forgotten items
• Check all rooms for forgotten items
• Record meter readings and shut off gas, water, and electricity
• Close all windows and doors
• Hand over the keys to the caretaker

After arriving at the new home:

• Try to place everything in its proper place as soon as possible
• Check all unpacked items for any moving damage
• Settle the bill with your mover and don’t forget to thank the crew
• Make one room “livable” as soon as possible
• Hang up bedroom curtains
• Let the fridge and freezer rest before plugging them in
• Secure the washing machine drum

After the move:

• Pick up the children
• Arrange furniture and unpack
• Report any moving damage to your mover
• Contact your mover about empty moving boxes
• Get to know your new neighbors and caretaker
• Update your address in your passport
• Update your address on your driver’s license
• Check if your mail is being forwarded
• Set up new automatic transfers
• Use up any thawed food from the freezer as soon as possible

What you should know about the new house beforehand:

• Heights, widths, and lengths of all rooms and other spaces
• Location of cable connection and distance to where you want to place your radio and TV
• Number and location of power outlets and any landlord regulations
• Waste collection schedule
• Does your new home have district heating?
• When was the chimney last cleaned?
• Is there a special connection for electric cooking?
• Are pets allowed in your new home?
• Can the mover come right up to the door? Is there a hoist beam? Is there a moving elevator available?

Packing, unpacking, clever and sensible:

• Consult with your mover about packing
• Start packing as soon as you have the moving boxes at home. It takes more time than you think. Assign a number to each room in the new house. Note on each moving box what’s inside and the room number it should go to
• Hang clothes directly from the closet into special wardrobe boxes. Lock cabinets and attach the key
• Divide books among several boxes. Fill open spaces with light items. Stand bottles upright in boxes
• Keep flammable or otherwise hazardous materials separate. Ask your mover how to best pack fragile items
• Wrap table silverware in kitchen paper. This prevents scratching. Don’t pack sharp objects with fragile items such as records. Secure the pick-up arm and store the cartridge separately
• Move the washing machine only if the drum is secured. Don’t pack mirrors and paintings: your mover knows how to handle them
• Put small plants together in a box. Don’t pack large plants; your mover will take care of them
• Upon arrival at the new house, immediately mark these numbers on the doorposts of the rooms!

If you have already found a new rental property and want to rent out your current house in Rotterdam or Utrecht, or if you specifically want to rent out your house to expats in either of these two cities, feel free to contact us, as we are happy to assist you further.