The Ultimate Tenant Move-In Checklist (Printable)

Moving day brain fog is real. You’re tired, stressed, and carrying heavy boxes. It’s easy to forget the basics.

We’ve created this chronological checklist to help you manage the chaos.

4 Weeks Before

• Gives notice to current landlord (28 days for periodic).
• Book moving truck or friends with vans.
• Start eating down the freezer food.

2 Weeks Before

• Connect Internet at new address (book the date).
• Connect Power/Gas at new address.
• Arrange Renters Insurance for the new place.
• Setup mail redirection with NZ Post.

1 Week Before

• Pay the remaining Bond and Rent in Advance.
• Sign the tenancy agreement.
• Start packing non-essential items (books, winter clothes).
• Box Labeling: Label by Room (e.g. “Kitchen”), not by contents.

3 Days Before

• Defrost the fridge/freezer.
• Confirm key pickup time with the landlord.
• Pack an “Essentials Box” (Toilet paper, soap, phone chargers, kettle, mugs, snacks, screwdriver). Keep this in your car, not the truck!

Moving Day

• Morning:
  • Do one final sweep of the old house.
  • Take photos of water/power meter readings (Old House).
  • Lock up and return keys.
• Afternoon:
  • Pick up new keys.
  • CRITICAL: Do the Property Inspection Report BEFORE moving boxes in. Take photos of everything. Scratches on floor, chips in paint.
  • Test smoke alarms.
  • Unpack the Essentials Box.
  • Make the beds first (so you can crash when tired).

1 Week After

• Update address with Bank, IRD, Employer, GP.
• Send the signed Inspection Report back to the landlord.

Summary

The secret to a good move is the “Essentials Box”. There is nothing worse than arriving at your new home at 9pm, exhausted, and realising the toilet paper is at the bottom of a box labeled “Misc”.

Good luck with the move!

Check your budget one last time →