When renting a home, there will almost always be small details that go overlooked when you’re focused on the big picture of moving in. Everything from how to properly operate a washer and dryer to what kind of maintenance needs to be done on the pipes and drains is crucial information for anyone who lives in an apartment or condo. Luckily, these are all aspects of homeownership that are easy to overlook when moving in with someone else’s home as your own residence. A rental property might have a few small things on the books that would be completely unimportant to someone who owned their own home from the start. However, these little details can save you time, money, and stress down the road. Each of these tips will assist you in getting ready for your new home. They cover topics you might not think of when first moving in, but that can make a huge difference in maintaining your rental with little effort as time goes on.
Clean up after yourself.
One of the first things you’ll want to do when moving in is clean up after yourself. As you unpack your boxes, throw away any trash you can find, vacuum and mop the floors, and unplug electrical items you weren’t expecting to use right away. If you’re moving into a rental that has been unoccupied for a while, you might also want to contact the landlord about getting the keys back. If the place has been messy, the landlord might have accidentally locked it out. If you clean up before the landlord gets back to you, they’re more likely to give you the keys and let you into the home in a timely fashion.
Change the lock on the front door.
If you’re moving into a rental where the previous tenants have a key, you’ll want to change the lock on the front door. If you don’t, the previous tenants will still have access to your home. Additionally, you’ll want to change the lock on all the storage spaces in the home. You can do this by taking off the old lock and installing a new one. You can find instructions online or ask a friend with access to a hardware store to assist you. It’s important to change the locks on all of these areas, as the old ones can be easily picked, which means you’ll have to change them again once you move out of the home.
Add security to your doors and windows.
Security is a major concern for residents, no matter what their home looks like. Even if you’re renting a small, cozy apartment, you can add some security to your doors and windows with simple additions. If you have an exposed window in your home, you can cover it with a curtain or blinds to make it less appealing to potential intruders. You can also cover your doors with a curtain or wood slat. Not only will this make your doors more secure, it will also make them look nicer. If you don’t have access to a curtain or wood slats, you can buy a few cheap metal security bars for your doors.
Turn off utilities before moving out.
You probably already know that it’s important to turn off the water and electricity before you move out of a home. However, it’s equally important to turn these items back on after you move out. This will ensure that your landlord isn’t left without water or electricity during a time when they’re expecting to be paid for those services. You can turn off the water and electricity without a problem if you’re moving out of a rental, but if you’re moving into your own home, you’ll want to leave the utilities on so you don’t have to deal with any last-minute calls from your landlord.
Install a carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide detectors are something many people don’t think about until they’re in the process of moving into a new place. Carbon monoxide is a naturally occurring gas that is produced when fuel is burned without being fully combusted. It can be extremely dangerous to breathe in high quantities, even in small quantities. It can cause flu-like symptoms and, in extreme cases, death. Carbon monoxide can be produced from a faulty gas or oil burner, so it’s important to keep an eye on your home so that you can detect and alert people of any issues as soon as possible.
Change your light bulbs.
You might think that all lights in a home are good for the long term, but you’ll want to change your light bulbs to energy-saving ones as soon as you can. This will help you save money on energy bills and will help the environment, as well. It’s important to change the light bulbs in your home, but it’s especially essential to check the fridge. The fridge is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house, and if you’re not using it, you can save energy by switching it off. You can also turn off lights in rooms you’re not using.
Conclusion
When moving into a rental home, it’s important to remember that it’s not your own. You don’t have the same amount of time to clean and organize as you would in a home of your own, and you don’t have the same amount of stuff to move. While it’s normal to overlook some of the little details, keeping these things in mind will help you avoid stress and make the transition easier on everyone involved. If you follow these tips, you’ll be ready to move into your new home, no matter what it looks like.