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Moving In
Move-In Date
Your lease should include a move-in date. Some landlords are flexible about that date and others are not.
- Consult the landlord or property manager to ask about the possibility of early move-in.
- Do not just assume you can move in early.
- Many landlords may be cleaning and making repairs right up until move-in day.
- Don’t start off on the wrong foot. Don’t complain if they are not flexible.
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Move-In Checklist
Fill out a move-in checklist noting all existing conditions. Most landlords have their own version, and copies are available at 200 Bonham Housel for your use.
- Take plenty of time and be very complete noting all damages because it will protect you from being charged for damage that existed before you moved in.
- If you don’t note the existing damage on the checklist, you can be held responsible for that damage.
- Consider taking pictures to verify the checklist details. Even better, videotape as you walk through the apartment. Zoom in on the damages and explain exactly what they are.
- Turn in the details to the landlord and keep a copy for your records.
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Utilities
Find out if the utilities will be on when you arrive.
- It is important to get the utilities turned on or transferred into tenants’ names. Some utilities have fees that you must pay in order to turn the service back on and a transfer of service can help you avoid these. Ask the landlord if it is possible to directly transfer the utilities to your name and avoid unnecessary fees.
Know which utilities are your responsibility. Check your lease or ask your landlord.
- Oxford Water and Trash, 101 E. High St., 524-5221
Water, sewage, trash and recycling are included. - Duke Energy (electric company), www.duke-energy.com, 513-651-4182
- Glenwood Energy (gas company), 523-2555
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Know Basic Safety Precautions
- Locate all possible exits. Know how to exit from various places in the unit.
- Consider buying rope ladders for emergency exits from windows of upstairs bedrooms.
- Find the smoke detectors and make certain they have working batteries.
- Every bedroom must have a smoke detector as well as each floor of the unit.
- Find the fire extinguisher (Note: there must be one in the kitchen).
- Do not overload outlets. Use power strips with surge protectors.
- Keep all flammables away from space and baseboard heaters.
- Be especially careful with the use of candles.
- Never go to sleep or leave the unit with a candle burning.
- Check your lease, some landlords don’t allow burning candles in their units.