How Long Does It Take To Move Into An Apartment?

How long does it take to move into an apartment?

While you may need to move more quickly than the 12 weeks outlined here, don’t skip any steps.

First get clear on what you want and how much you can spend. Next, documents in hand, find places that fit into your life. After your application’s approved and you pay your upfront costs, plan your move.

Do your planning and understand the timeline

Timing depends on the pace of your local rental market. Your budget and credit score play a part. Do as much as you can upfront so that when the right apartment comes along, you’ll be decisive and prepared.

Pre-Move Preparation

Assess your needs and budget (12 weeks out)

Look at your paystub or direct deposit to clarify how much money you take home every month. If you have a new job offer, calculate in advance how much you’ll get in your pocket.

Include necessities – rent, groceries, health care, transportation, insurance. Check how much you usually spend on nice-to-haves.

Now consider the direct cost of moving. Ideally, you’ll get any security deposit back from your current landlord. You may have prepaid your last month’s rent. Some landlords collect a new security deposit, plus first and last month’s rent. Others ask only for two of these. Expect to pay 2-3X monthly rent upfront.

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Research potential neighborhoods and apartment types (11 weeks out)

If you’re moving across town, you may already have an idea of a few neighborhoods you’d like to consider. Going cross-country? In addition to soliciting locals’ opinions, walk down the neighborhood streets with Google maps.

Once you have a feel for what’s out there, make three lists: ideal, nice to have, and dealbreaker.

Create a checklist and timeline for the move (9 weeks out)

Checklists are your friend. For each part of the planning, looking and moving process, make a checklist and refer to it diligently. Use an app on your phone or buy a dedicated notebook.

Apartment Search

How long does it take to find the right apartment?

Take as long as you like to browse neighborhoods, walk around apartment complexes, and look at listings. If you have a long time horizon, this will be most of what you can do until the last 30 to 60 days before you want to move.

Empty apartments equal zero income for landlords. The hotter the rental market, the faster you must act once you find a place you like. Otherwise, while you’re pondering what to do, someone else may have rented the place out from under you.

Online searches and listings (8 weeks out)

Use apartment finder sites like comprehensive Zillow, Padmapper, Walk Score, Apartments.com, Rent.com, or Trulia. If you can, walk around your preferred neighborhood and look for “For Rent” signs.

Beware that criminals may scrape a listing, even one not for rent, and post this fake apartment online. They then try to pressure you into sending a security deposit sight unseen. The Federal Trade Commission recommends, “Don’t send payment for a property you’ve never seen, or to a person you’ve never met in person.”

Location, budget, and availability constraints

The tighter the constraints you have for your next apartment, the longer it may take you to find it. Perhaps your budget’s low. Maybe you only want to live in one specific neighborhood. Many cities have too few units for the demand.

If you find yourself in these situations, apartment hunting may require all of your spare time.

Tips for speeding up the apartment search process

Speed up the process by first getting clear on what you’d like, what you can afford, and where you’d like to live.
Then be prompt. The early bird gets the worm, and the coveted apartment. Set precise alerts through rental apps. Be the first to respond, schedule an early tour, and be prepared to fill out your application immediately if it’s the one.

Application and Approval

Gather necessary documents and information (4-6 weeks out)

When you visit a possible new home, bring needed documents.

These include identification, like a valid driver’s license or state ID or a current passport. Bring income proof like paystubs, bank statements, or tax returns. You may need proof of employment like a verification or offer letter, especially if you’re starting a new job.

Completing rental applications (4-6 weeks out)

Not interested? Don’t fill out the rental applications. Repeated credit pulls may raise a red flag at the credit bureau. Many places also charge a non-refundable fee.

Open to moving in? Be prepared with your social security number (SSN) or individual tax identification number (ITIN).

Waiting for landlord or property management response

Until you’ve signed a lease and paid your deposit, consider yourself still in the market. Keep looking in case this one falls through.

Time frame for approval or rejection

Responses could take a day or two, or as long as a few weeks.

Repeat after me: “The landlord is making a business decision. I am a good person whether or not I get the apartment I want. If not, there’s a better one out there for me.”

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Lease Signing

Lease signing appointment (4 weeks out)

Keep in mind the landlord’s goal of keeping apartments filled with responsible tenants. Schedule your signing, or do it online, as soon as possible.

Read and understand the lease agreement

You’re signing a legally binding document, so read it and look up any terms you don’t understand. If you need something changed, go ahead and ask. If approved, make sure the added changes are signed and dated by both you and the landlord.

Keep a copy with you in the event of any future issues. Make note of how to log repairs or maintenance requests.

Sign the lease and make any required payments

Congratulations on your new apartment!

Moving Logistics

Hire professional movers or organize a DIY move (3 weeks out)

Let your budget, timeline, and appetite for hard work dictate your moving method.

Full service professional movers bring boxes, pack up your belongings, transport them, and bring them into the appropriate rooms of your new digs.

Less costly options include moving-only, renting a U-Haul, or soliciting friends with trucks to help.

Packing and decluttering (2-3 weeks out)

The less you keep, the less to pack. Set a bar for how much effort different belongings warrant. Never really liked it? Toss or donate it. Sparks joy? Fewer, more-loved items improve your state of mind.

Pack as much as you can in advance of moving day. Treat the first day at your new place like a vacation. Bring a suitcase with what you’ll need to stay sane.

Label boxes with the room they’ll go in, and whether they contain high priority items you can’t live without for the first week. Preplanning will keep you focused when unpacking overwhelm takes over.

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Set up utilities and transfer services (2 weeks out)

Be clear which utilities, if any, your lease includes. Others are on you. If possible, set these utilities up before you move. Two weeks prior, look up your new electricity, internet, water, trash collection, and phone or cable companies. Fill out online forms to have them waiting at your new spot.

Inform friends and family about your move (2 weeks out)

Consider a housewarming party to get the word out about your move. It’ll focus your unpacking energies for something fun.
Go to USPS to forward your mail. Best to allow two weeks for this to take hold.

Moving day! (0 weeks out)

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Tips for reducing stress during the moving process

• Ask for help from friends, family, even colleagues. On the simple end, field your questions with different people. Inquire about neighborhoods. Get tips on leasing websites and apps. Talk through the process a bit to help you think things through.
• Have someone over for packing and pizza. Ask others for moving day support.
• Pass on perfection. Do what you can to stay organized and plan ahead. You’ll still feel overwhelmed at some point. Today’s problem might be next month’s funny story.

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