Checklists for your move

1. Review the rental agreement

• Carefully review the new rental agreement before signing it.

• Terminate your old rental agreement in accordance with the required notice period and format – but only after you’ve secured the new one.

2. Set the moving date

• Set the date for your move.

• Ask the new property management when exactly you can move in and confirm the exact date and time. If the contract date is on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, the first possible move-in date is the next working day.

• Arrange a date (and time) for the apartment handover with your old property management.

• Check if you have all the keys for the old apartment. If you're unsure how many you should have, refer to the old rental agreement or the key log.

• Inform your employer about your moving date and request a paid moving day. Employment law stipulates that you are entitled to time off for a move. However, the exact duration is not legally regulated and is often specified in the personnel policy or employment contract. Typically, you get one or two days, depending on whether you're moving locally or long-distance.

3. Organise helpers and removal van

• Offer a helping hand early on: The more people, the better.

• Book necessary equipment like a pressure washer or carpet cleaner in advance. You can rent these at a hardware store or moving company.

• Reserve the removal van early, and if possible, arrange it for the evening before the move.

4. Repair, declutter, and return

• Take care of small repairs for which you are responsible: Report the damage to the property management or hire a tradesperson yourself. Then, inform your household insurance.

• Repair any furniture that needs fixing now, so you have less to move. Once repaired, it’s best to have the items delivered directly to your new address.

• Sell any furniture and household appliances you no longer need or want to move. Be sure to dispose of any damaged items properly.

• Declutter your cellar, attic, garage, and storage rooms.

• Return any borrowed books, games, or other items.

• Gradually empty your freezer so you don’t have to worry about frozen food on moving day.

5. Packing materials and furniture layout

• Plan the furnishing of your new apartment. It’s best to create a furniture layout plan for this. Ask your new landlord for the floor plan, or measure the apartment yourself. Don’t forget to consider ceiling height (for shelves) and window size (for curtains)! Also, take note of the location and type of electrical outlets and connections.

• Order new furniture, curtains, lamps, or rugs if necessary, and have them delivered directly to your new address.

• Make sure to organise enough packing materials. Maybe you know someone who’s recently moved and can pass on boxes and packing supplies. Moving companies and department stores also offer packing materials for sale or rent.

• Organise labelling materials, such as stickers or tags. It’s best to mark your boxes and furniture right from the start, indicating where they should go in the new apartment (similar to your furniture layout plan). You can use colours for this: Red for the kitchen, blue for the bathroom, green for the living room, for example.