Your apartment move checklist has several parts: a countdown timeline, packing, mover vetting, move-out duties, moving day, and move-in tasks. Start with three actions today. Give your landlord written notice, reserve your movers or a moving date, and begin decluttering. Everything else in this guide builds on those three steps, and each one gets harder the longer you wait.
TL;DR:
- Apartment buildings may restrict moving hours and require elevator reservations, loading zone permits, or mover insurance certificates, so confirm rules when booking.
- Get three written estimates after an in person or video inventory survey, clarify whether each is binding, and expect an order, bill of lading, and inventory.
- Before leaving, photograph every room with timestamps, document existing damage in writing, attend the final walkthrough, and return every key and remote.
- Released Value Protection typically pays just 60 cents per pound per item, while Full Value Protection covers replacement value; ask what coverage the estimate includes.
- File your address change through the official USPS site for $1.10; third party sites may charge $40 or more for the same service.
Table of Contents
- What to do in the 6 weeks before you move out
- How to pack: essentials box, supplies, and labels
- How to hire and vet movers
- Move-out responsibilities and the final walkthrough
- Moving day: your on-site sequence
- Your move-in checklist: inspection and the first 48 hours
- Address changes, utilities, and who to notify
- Declutter, donate, sell, and dispose
- Mover safety and valuation: what the federal rules say
- Why professionals help with apartment moves
- Get help with your apartment move from Orange Movers
- FAQ
- Sources
What to do in the 6 weeks before you move out
The best apartment relocation plans work backward from moving day. Use this countdown and adjust it to your lease and building rules.
- Several weeks out: Read your lease for the notice period and send written notice. Walk through each room and list what you own. Start decluttering. Research movers and request written estimates from at least three.
- As moving day gets closer: Collect boxes, tape, and padding. Ask building management about elevator reservations, loading dock hours, parking for the truck, and any certificate of insurance they require. Schedule utility shutoff and start dates so there is no gap.
- In the weeks before moving day: Pack nonessentials such as off-season clothes, books, decor, and spare linens. Label every box. Confirm your moving date, arrival window, and the paperwork your mover will provide.
- 1 week out: Pack essentials, plan your deep clean, and confirm the arrival window and any parking permits. Defrost the freezer and use up perishables.
- Moving day: Do a final sweep of every closet and cabinet. Supervise loading, check the inventory, and review the bill of lading before the crew leaves.
Apartment buildings add a layer that houses don't have. High-rise and multi-story buildings often limit move hours, require an elevator reservation, and ask movers to pad hallways and elevator interiors. Tell your property manager your date as early as possible, because slots fill up near the end of the month. Ask whether the building has rules for moving vehicles, loading zones, and noise. When you know the rules in advance, your mover can plan the crew size and equipment to match.
Many renters also ask how long to plan. Guides such as the ApartmentGuide moving checklist recommend starting about two months before move day, which fits the 6–8 week window above. If your move is sooner, compress the steps but keep their order.
Pro Tip: Book your elevator and parking slot the same day you confirm your movers. Both are limited resources, and a mover without a loading window can't start on time.
For a version tailored to our area, see our South Florida moving checklist.
How to pack: essentials box, supplies, and labels
Pack the rooms you use least first, and keep daily-use items for the last week. A small apartment goes faster when you pack one room at a time and finish it before starting the next.
Your first-night box (also called an essentials box) should travel with you, not on the truck. It holds everything you need before you unpack:
- Bedding, a towel, and a shower curtain
- Toiletries, medications, and a basic first aid kit
- Phone chargers, a power strip, and a flashlight
- A pot, a pan, a few dishes, utensils, and a can opener
- Important documents: lease, ID, mover paperwork, and any keys
- Cleaning spray, paper towels, trash bags, and basic tools
Here is a basic supply list for an apartment:
- Small boxes for books and heavy items, medium boxes for kitchen and decor, large boxes for linens and clothes
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Packing tape and a tape gun
- Permanent markers and colored labels
- Packing paper, bubble wrap, and furniture pads or blankets
- Mattress covers
- Zip bags for screws and hardware
If you would rather not hunt for boxes, our moving supplies and materials service covers the basics.
For labeling, write the destination room, a short list of contents, and a priority level on at least two sides of each box. Mark fragile boxes clearly and put "this side up" arrows where they matter. A simple system works well: one color per room, plus a star on boxes you want opened first.
Fragile items need extra care. Wrap each dish individually, stand plates on their edges, and fill empty space so nothing shifts. Our guide on packing fragile items like a professional mover goes deeper. For furniture, take apart what you can: remove legs from tables, take shelves out of bookcases, and keep screws in a labeled bag taped to the piece. If you would like professional help, our full-service packing and unpacking team can handle the whole apartment or only the delicate rooms.
How to hire and vet movers
Get at least three written estimates, and ask for each one after the mover has seen your inventory, either in person or by video. Estimates given over the phone without a survey are a warning sign.
Know what kind of estimate you are getting. Federal guidance explains that a non-binding estimate is not a fixed contract, and the final cost can exceed it. A binding estimate sets the price for the listed items and services. Ask which one you are being offered and get it in writing.
Federal rules also shape the paperwork you should expect. Under FMCSA guidance on pickup of household goods, movers must prepare an order for service and a bill of lading, provide an inventory of the shipment, and give you copies. They must also weigh shipments on certified scales and let you observe the weighing when pricing depends on weight.
Questions to ask every mover:
- Which valuation (insurance) options do you offer, and what does each cost?
- What payment methods do you accept, and when is payment due?
- Can you handle my building's elevator, loading dock, and parking rules?
- For an interstate move, what is your DOT registration number?
- Will the crew pad the elevator and protect floors, doors, and walls?
Red flags to walk away from:
- A demand for cash only, wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. The FTC warns that these payment methods are primary warning signs of moving and rental scams.
- A contract with blank fields or no written inventory
- A quote that is far lower than every other, with no on-site or video survey
- No company name or registration on the truck or paperwork
The FTC also advises checking a mover's registration for interstate moves, asking your state consumer protection office about in-state rules, and reading reviews, as covered in its guide to avoiding moving company scams. For another practical checklist, Casey's Movers has a guide to preparing for movers, including FMCSA checks.
Pro Tip: Ask each mover to state in writing which valuation coverage is included in the price. If the answer is vague, ask again before you sign.
Full Value Protection, covered below, is the option worth asking about first.
Move-out responsibilities and the final walkthrough
Your security deposit depends on what you leave behind and what you can prove. Follow these steps in order:
- Check your lease. Find the notice period and any move-out instructions, then send written notice on schedule and keep a copy.
- Clean room by room. Wipe cabinets and counters, clean the oven and refrigerator, scrub the bathroom, vacuum or mop floors, and wipe baseboards and window sills. If your schedule is tight, a cleaning service can be worth the cost.
- Document the condition. Take timestamped photos and short videos of every room, including closets, appliances, and any marks that were there when you moved in. Ask the landlord to acknowledge preexisting issues in writing.
- Sort repairs from normal wear. Patch small nail holes if your lease asks for it, but don't repaint or replace items that show ordinary wear. When in doubt, document the issue and ask.
- Schedule the walkthrough. Be present for the final inspection if you can, and ask for any noted problems in writing.
- Return keys and leave your address. Hand back every key, fob, and garage remote, and give your landlord a forwarding address for the deposit.
Moving day: your on-site sequence
A smooth moving day depends on a few checks done in the right order.
- Prepare the morning. Set your essentials box and valuables aside, arrange care for pets and kids, and do one more sweep for forgotten items in closets, cabinets, and storage.
- Confirm building logistics. Make sure the elevator is reserved, the loading zone is clear, and any permits or certificates of insurance are ready for property management.
- Walk the crew through. Point out fragile items and anything that needs special handling, and tell them where floor protection should go.
- Verify the inventory. Check the mover's inventory against your belongings, and sign the bill of lading only after you have confirmed the records are complete.
- Stay reachable. Keep your phone charged, confirm the estimated arrival time at the new apartment, and take a photo of the loaded truck and the paperwork.
- Check delivery. At your new home, bring in essentials first, inspect items for damage, and sign delivery paperwork only after you are satisfied.
Your move-in checklist: inspection and the first 48 hours
Do the inspection before you unpack, because damage is much harder to dispute after your furniture is in place.
Walk each room with your phone and check:
- Walls, ceilings, and paint for holes, stains, or water marks
- Floors and carpets for scratches, stains, or loose boards
- Appliances: run the oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, and microwave
- Windows, screens, and blinds for cracks or sticking
- Door locks, deadbolts, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Plumbing: run every faucet and shower, flush toilets, and check under sinks for leaks
Photograph anything that is damaged or dirty and send the photos to your landlord by email, or sign a move-in condition form. A written acknowledgment protects your deposit later.
After moving in, focus on these tasks:
- Confirm electricity, gas, water, and trash service are active
- Ask whether the locks were changed since the last tenant, and request new ones if not
- Set up internet and test your router
- Make the bed, set up the bathroom, and unpack the kitchen basics
- Find the breaker box, the water shutoff, and the building's trash and mail areas
- Unpack boxes marked first priority, then work room by room
Address changes, utilities, and who to notify
Use the official USPS site for your change of address. According to USAGov, official USPS address changes cost $1.10 as of April 2026, while third-party sites may charge $40 or more for the same service.
The official USPS change of address costs $1.10, and the same filing through a third-party site can run $40 or more. Go straight to the USPS site and skip the lookalikes.
After USPS, update these in order of importance:
- Banks, credit cards, and your employer
- Your state driver's license or ID office
- Health care providers and insurance companies
- Subscriptions, online accounts, and delivery services
- Federal agencies, which USAGov notes must be updated separately
If you are a lawful permanent resident, update your address with USCIS as soon as possible, as USAGov explains.
Time your utilities so the old ones end the day after your move-out and the new ones start the day before move-in. Confirm each change by checking your first bill, and log in to your accounts to verify the new address appears.
Declutter, donate, sell, and dispose
Decide early what to sell, donate, or discard, then schedule pickups before your final two weeks.
- Donate usable clothes and housewares through the Goodwill locator, and ask for a receipt
- Give furniture to Habitat for Humanity ReStores, which accept usable household goods
- List high-value items online and sell the rest in a quick one-day sale
- Check your city's bulk pickup rules for large items, and drop spare boxes at donation centers
Mover safety and valuation: what the federal rules say
The details of valuation coverage matter more than most renters expect. Federal guidance describes two basic options.
Released Value Protection typically covers items at 60 cents per pound per article, while Full Value Protection covers replacement value. Full Value Protection is usually recommended for meaningful coverage.
That is the summary from FMCSA's liability and protection page.
At 60 cents per pound per article, a heavy item can be worth far less than it cost to replace. A television or laptop weighing a few pounds would be covered for only a few dollars.
If your mover does not prepare an inventory before loading, make your own. The FMCSA loss and damage advisory advises listing each item with its condition and getting the driver's signature before departure, a record that is often decisive in claims. Keep every mover document until delivery and any claim are settled.
Why professionals help with apartment moves
Apartment moves reward experience. Our crews use protection techniques to protect floors, walls, doors, and belongings during apartment moves. A single coordinator handles your building manager, elevator window, and loading zone, so you aren't juggling three phone calls on moving day. When you have a tight deadline, a high-rise building, or heavy pieces, a full-service move often saves more time and stress than it costs.
— Orange Movers Team
Get help with your apartment move from Orange Movers
We help renters across Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida move with less stress. These services fit most apartment moves:
- Local moving for moves across town or within South Florida
- Apartment and condo relocations, including high-rise and multi-story buildings
- Full-service packing and unpacking for fragile or time-pressed moves
- Elevator and building coordination through one point of contact
Before you request a free quote, have your move date, both addresses, floor and elevator details, and a rough inventory ready. A professional move usually pays off when time, heavy items, or building rules make DIY risky.
FAQ
What should be on my apartment move-in checklist?
Start with a documented inspection of walls, floors, appliances, windows, locks, and plumbing. Then confirm utilities, set up internet, change locks if needed, and unpack your essentials box. Send photos of any existing damage to your landlord in writing.
What do apartments usually require to move in?
Most landlords ask for a signed lease, a security deposit, and the first month's rent, and many also want proof of renters insurance. High-rise buildings may add an elevator reservation and a certificate of insurance from your mover. Ask your property manager for the full list before moving day.
What is the first thing you should do when you move into a new apartment?
Inspect the unit and photograph any damage before your furniture goes in. Then confirm that locks, utilities, and appliances work. Send your photos to the landlord so the condition is recorded in writing.
How much does it cost to change your address with USPS?
The official USPS change of address costs $1.10 as of April 2026, according to USAGov. Use the USPS site directly, because third-party sites may charge much more for the same service.