Apartment Moving Checklist

At Good Greek Moving & Storage, we provide comprehensive apartment moving services for Florida residents and beyond — from packing and storage to white-glove service. Preparing for an apartment move is a challenge, but staying organized is the key to a smooth relocation.

It’s easy to overlook all the details involved in a move. That’s why we’ve put together this handy apartment moving checklist. We’ve worked on thousands of moves, and we make it our job to ensure our clients are ready when moving day arrives.

Apartment Moving: Key Takeaways

• Start your apartment move about three months out — give your landlord 60–90 days’ notice and book your movers early.
• Declutter room by room, then inventory what’s left to size up your move and your moving insurance needs.
• Handle utilities, change-of-address, schools, and prescriptions in the weeks before — don’t leave them to move week.
• Document your rental’s condition (with your landlord or in photos) to protect your security deposit.

Three months before your apartment move

Lock in the big items early so the rest of the move falls into place.

• Notify your landlord. Check your rental agreement for required notice — typically at least 60 days, sometimes up to 90.
• Hire a mover. Book a professional moving service in advance so they’re available when you need them. Good Greek will send a professional to your home for a free estimate and is licensed for local, intrastate, interstate, and international moves. (Know the questions to ask a mover before you book.)
• Look for damage. Assess any damage in your rental now — you’ll want a few months to make repairs and protect your deposit. Our guide on how to keep your apartment rental deposit helps.
• Remove clutter. Start early and tackle about a room a week. Our junk removal services can clear out unwanted items so you move less.

Two months before your apartment move

With the clutter gone, handle the logistics that are easy to forget.

• Inventory your items. Now that you’ve decluttered, inventory everything and estimate its value — this helps you decide how much moving insurance to get.
• Change of address. File a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, and prepare an email to let friends, family, and business contacts know your new address.
• Utilities. Notify electric, gas, and water providers of your move-out date so you aren’t charged for the next tenant’s usage, and set up service at your new place for the day before you arrive. (See more moving tips.)
• Check local laws. Research voter registration, the deadline for a new driver’s license, and vehicle registration rules in your new area.
• Schools. Tell your children’s current schools your withdrawal date, notify the new school, and research your options.

One month before your apartment move

Start packing and tie up work and storage details.

• Packing. Set up a staging area for boxes out of foot-traffic paths. Keep boxes from the same room together, label each one clearly by room and contents, and use small boxes for heavy items. (Here’s how to label moving boxes and book professional packing if you’d rather not DIY.)
• Work. If you’re changing jobs, give two to four weeks’ notice.
• Storage space. Need to store some belongings during the transition? Good Greek offers secure, CCTV-monitored, climate-controlled storage.
• Hire cleaners. A professional clean is another smart way to help get your security deposit back.

Last two weeks before your apartment move

Wrap up the small stuff before the big day.

• Return items. Return library books and anything borrowed from friends or neighbors.
• Car checkup. If you’re moving a long distance, get a basic checkup to reduce the chance of a breakdown on the road.
• Refill prescriptions. Finding a new doctor and pharmacy takes time, so fill all prescriptions before you go.

Apartment moving day

The final steps for a smooth handoff.

• Clean. The last couple of days are your last chance to clean if you didn’t hire cleaners. Wipe down furniture so you don’t bring old dust into the new place, and strip the beds so movers can disassemble them.
• Pack a travel bag. Set aside what you’ll need for the first 24–48 hours, plus a “first-open” box with toiletries, cookware, and other essentials.
• Arrive ahead of the movers. Get to your new place first to direct where everything goes — it saves you from rearranging later.
• Inspect your rental. Before turning in the keys, walk through with your landlord to agree on any damages. If you can’t do it together, take detailed photos of every room so you aren’t blamed for damage you didn’t cause.

If you hire Good Greek Moving & Storage, many of these tasks are handled for you. A little planning goes a long way — see our full move planning guide and moving checklist too.

Experienced apartment moving services in Florida and beyond

For dependable apartment and condo moving in Florida and nationwide, trust the team at Good Greek Moving & Storage. We provide a full-service moving experience covering planning, packing, transportation, unpacking, and more. Call (866) 691-4317 or request a free moving quote today.

Apartment Moving Checklist: Frequently asked questions

When should I start preparing for an apartment move?

About three months out. Give your landlord 60–90 days’ notice, book your movers early, and start decluttering. Handling logistics like utilities, schools, and prescriptions in the weeks before keeps move week calm.

How much notice do I have to give my landlord?

Check your lease — most apartments require at least 60 days, and some up to 90. Giving proper written notice on time helps protect your security deposit and avoids lease-violation penalties.

How do I get my security deposit back?

Document the rental’s condition at move-out (with your landlord or detailed photos), repair minor damage, and have the unit professionally cleaned. Our guide on keeping your apartment rental deposit covers the common mistakes to avoid.

Do apartment movers provide a Certificate of Insurance for my building?

Yes — Good Greek provides a Certificate of Insurance (COI) when building management requires one, confirming proper coverage before move day.

Does Good Greek handle long-distance apartment moves?

Yes — Good Greek is licensed for local, intrastate, interstate, and international apartment moves, with packing, storage, junk removal, and auto transport available. Call (866) 691-4317 or request a free quote.