You’ve signed your lease and got the keys, and now you’re eager to settle into your NYC apartment. Moving into the city requires a few extra steps compared to other places.
What to do before moving into a new apartment in NYC:
1. Set up your electricity, gas, and internet utilities before you move in.
Most of New York City’s gas and electricity is served by ConEd, but in some areas of Brooklyn and Queens, gas is served by National Grid. Make sure to find out who your provider is and set up the service before you move in. Sometimes, if you do not do this before your move-in day, you will have no electricity and gas in the apartment. This isn’t always the case, but it is better to be safe than sorry. For the internet, check with your landlord to find out if the landlord will need to be present to let the installer into any utility rooms.
2. Video record the entire apartment before moving in and after moving out.
Before moving into a new NYC apartment, record the whole apartment. Unfortunately, it’s common for NYC landlords to withhold rent for pre-existing damages. When moving out, record the entire apartment for comparison. If a landlord claims damages, you have proof that the damages were there before you moved in. Email the videos to yourself or store them with a copy of your lease in Dropbox/Drive to avoid accidental loss.
3. Ensure all appliances work before moving your belongings in.
Check all of the appliances in the apartment. If something doesn’t work, inform your landlord right away. Run faucets (both hot and cold), shower, tub, dishwasher, garbage disposal, heating, air conditioning, stove burners, oven, vent, lights, and smoke alarms.
4. Seal and fill all holes in the apartment to avoid rodents and roaches.
Living in NYC means that you will have to be cautious of pests. Seal and fill all holes and entry points to prevent rodents and roaches. Check for any openings or potential entry points for mice, rats, or roaches. This is easier before moving in. Consider drain covers/plugs or some kind of mesh for drains. Get a door sweep for your front door if it doesn’t have one.
Places to check for holes in an apartment:
- Baseboards, closets, behind the toilet
- Under the sinks, where water pipes enter the wall.
- Around radiators, where the steam pipe comes in.
- Between baseboards and the floor.
- The bottom and side edges of cabinets.
- Behind the stove, where the gas comes in.
- Behind the refrigerator, if there’s an outlet.
- The top of the door and window frames.
5. Proactively Address Roaches:
Another action that you can do to help prevent any roaches is to be proactive and apply Advion roach gel to baseboards and other areas where roaches travel. It’s better to prevent them than deal with roaches later.
6. Deep clean the apartment
We all expect the apartment to be clean, but sometimes, this is not the case. You could try to request your landlord to provide a cleaning service if the apartment needs an unreasonable amount of cleaning.
7. Label Boxes and Use Painter Tape:
This might be a no-brainer, but packing rooms by boxes and labeling them will make your move more organized. Use painter’s tape in the apartment to guide movers on where to place boxes and furniture.
8. Pack a “go bag” with the most essential things.
Make sure to pack a bag or suitcase with items needed for the next 1-2 weeks. After moving, everything will be in boxes, and unpacking might take time and energy. Include valuables, clothing, electronics, and hygiene products.
9. Know the garbage and recycling schedule:
Familiarize yourself with the garbage and recycling pickup schedule in your new neighborhood. Different neighborhoods may have different days for trash collection, and you are required to dispose of your waste correctly, or else your landlord might get a fine.
10. Consider hiring a professional moving company.
It is well known that moving into a new NYC apartment is not easy. Many people try to save money by moving everything themselves but find it challenging and, at times, even more costly. Hire a professional to make the process smoother.