After the past year of lockdown and isolation, there is nothing wrong with a change of scenery. However, when you live in a location that you love, are close-by to work and friends, and adore your apartment complex- what do you do? Transferring apartments is an excellent choice for when you grow tired of your old apartment, regardless of reason, without having to leave the location that you love and being far from your job and friends and family!
Transferring apartments is not a complicated process, but if you don’t know where to start or what the process entails, you may feel overwhelmed about what to do. Are you currently living in an apartment? Looking for a change of scenery while not sacrificing the things you like? Here is what you need to know about transferring apartments in the same building!
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Why Transfer Apartments? There are a few different reasons why you might want to transfer apartments. First, the size of your apartment might be too small or too large for you, depending on whether you have a child or partner move in with you, or a roommate or child moves out. In both cases, finding an apartment that is just the right fit for you is plenty of a reason to transfer. Second, your financial situation might have changed. Due to the pandemic, many people have either lost their jobs, had their hours cut back, or had their rent increase. If your financial situation has changed because of this, you might be looking for a more affordable option within your current complex, which is another reason to transfer.
Apartment Lease Transfer — What to Know: Now that you’ve found a reason to transfer from your current apartment to another, you can think about an apartment lease transfer. If you have someone in mind that wants to live in your current apartment, you can bring the idea up to your landlord/property manager and draw up an apartment lease transfer. This will help eliminate the stress for your landlord by you bringing them a new tenant, which will make the process smoother for the both of you.
How to Plan Your Transfer
1. Talk with Your Landlord: Informing your landlord is the most important first step when looking to transfer apartments. Whether the apartment is right next-door to yours or a floor above you, it is still necessary to talk with them and let them know what you want to do. Additionally, inquire with your landlord the kind of process an apartment transfer requires.
2. Be Open to a Waitlist: The current housing and renting market is very competitive due to the pandemic, which means there is a chance that you could have to be placed on a waiting list. Be open to this, and ask for an estimate regarding how long it could take for you to get into a new apartment.
3. Treat This Like Any Other Move: Just like any other move, you need to plan accordingly. While you don’t need to rent a U-Haul moving truck or make several trips in your car, you still need to have a plan in terms of moving your belongings from one apartment to another. Look into quotes for movers, or even phone a few friends to see if they can lend their time to help move your furniture and heavy boxes.
4. Don’t Forget About Utilities: Though you are in the same apartment building, you still have to set up different utility accounts in your new apartment. In the chaos and busyness of a move, it’s easy to forget even the most obvious of responsibilities that you have to do. When moving into your new apartment, immediately set up your utilities, which can include: internet/cable, water, electric, etc. Additionally, don’t forget to turn off or cancel your current utilities in your old apartment, so that way you don’t receive a bill for electric or water being used while you’re not living there!
5. Notify Others of Address Change: Just like any other move, when you transfer apartments, you need to notify others of an address change. Formally change your address with the post office, with credit card companies and subscription services, and even with government items like your driver’s license/ID and voter registration. Though the change is small, like an apartment number, you don’t want important or time sensitive mail going to a new tenant that could jeopardize you in any way. Additionally, notify your friends, family, co-workers, etc. of the change so they have it for their records in case they want to visit or send mail.
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Transferring apartments in the same building doesn’t have to be difficult! While there are some important things to do during the process, the outcome can definitely be worth it for you.
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