Have I forgotten anything? Where was the rental contract again? And when do I actually have to give notice? These are questions that everyone who has moved into a new flat has certainly asked themselves at some point. Apart from the organisational aspects, a move also involves a lot of paperwork. As you may have noticed, we have moved into a new office ourselves. Based on our experiences, we would like to present you with useful tips on the subject of moving.
Your old tenancy agreement: In addition to the period of notice, the form of handover and information about the deposit are also regulated in this agreement. Most tenancy agreements stipulate, for example, that the flat must be handed over "whitewashed", i.e. all walls must be painted white again. In this case, you should include enough white paint in your budget.
Your new tenancy agreement: It's a well-known fact that you can't avoid paperwork with the authorities. So you also have to show your new tenancy agreement as proof of the change of address for your change of residence.
Guarantee: Especially students and trainees moving into their first flat must provide their landlord with a guarantee from their parents. This confirms that the parents will continue to pay their children's rent in the event of insolvency.
Electricity & gas contract: Your electricity & gas providers also want to be informed about your move. Therefore, there are certain deadlines in which you should inform them about your move in order to ensure a smooth transition. These are usually stated in the general terms and conditions. In the next section, you will find out why you should also think about changing your provider and how you can do this most easily.
Floor plan of your new flat: Going to the nearest IKEA is almost obligatory for everyone who moves. If you don't have a floor plan or other plan with you, you run the risk of buying furniture that doesn't fit into your flat at all. You should also think about what you need beforehand, otherwise your budget will probably be used up by the time you get to the checkout.
TODO list: With all the tasks you have to do before and during a move, it's easy to lose track and forget important things. A simple TODO list can work wonders. Of course, it's even better if you always have it with you digitally on your smartphone. Then you can update the list at any time and see the upcoming tasks. We ourselves used Trello for this, as it allowed us to work on the tasks with several people. You can find out how Trello can help you manage your projects even more effectively in a separate blog article.
Terminate your rental contract: In order to get out of your old contract in time and not have to pay additional monthly rent, you should always observe the period of notice. This is set by law at 3 months for normal tenancies and must be received by the landlord no later than the 3rd working day (Saturdays do not count). The notice of termination must always be in writing, which is why e-mails, even if signed by hand and then scanned in again, do not constitute effective notice of termination. However, it is still best to inform your landlord about your departure beforehand. Then there are usually no problems and you can even move out earlier.
Cancel your electricity and gas contract: A move is usually a good time to think about your electricity and gas tariff. Often, the basic supply is much more expensive than with other providers. In addition, you can collect additional new customer bonuses by switching every year. The easiest way to compare and switch is with online portals like Verivox, Check24 & Co. After you have entered your consumption and your postcode, the cheapest providers in your area will be displayed. You can then switch directly online or conclude your new contract. However, you should pay attention to the notice period, which is usually regulated in the general terms and conditions of the provider. If you receive electricity and gas via the basic supply, the notice period is usually two weeks. You should make sure to indicate that you are changing providers because you are moving house, as other deadlines apply here. It is also best to take photos of the old and new meter readings on the day of the move to protect yourself from excessive final bills.
Cancel your internet & telephone contract: Here it is similar to the electricity and gas contract. Those who have sworn loyalty to their provider for years usually receive much worse or more expensive conditions than new customers. In addition, due to network expansion and digitalisation, you may well already have access to a much faster network and better tariffs. In addition, you will usually receive a new offer with improved conditions or bonuses relatively quickly as soon as you hand in your notice of termination or inform an employee about your change. So it's always worth taking out your old contract when you move and comparing it with competing offers. If you are satisfied with your provider, you should inform them at least two weeks before your move and tell them your new address. Then the change will usually go smoothly. You can find out how to cancel your contract easily with the help of fileee and aboalarm here.
Most people move at the weekend at the beginning or end of the month. Of course, this means that the demand for vans and removal companies is particularly high then. Consequently, it will be much more expensive for you. If you want to avoid this, it's better to move on a Wednesday or Thursday. In student cities, you should also avoid the start of the semester if possible.
As mentioned above, your landlord may be more likely to let you out of your existing lease. In most cases, however, they want you to find a suitable new tenant and conduct the viewings with them. With providers like immobilienscout24 and wg-gesucht, this is really easy. If you advertise in cities with a high demand for flats, it's better not to give a telephone number, otherwise your phone won't stand still. A dedicated e-mail address can also be very useful.
What's missing now? That's right - the housewarming party: The housewarming party is the best opportunity to thank your removal helpers and show your friends your new home. It's also a great opportunity to meet your new neighbours.
I hope these tips help you with your move. Do you have any useful tips of your own? Then write them in the comments!
