Living in an apartment is one of the most practical, cost-effective and low-maintenance ways of setting up your first home. Apartments are easy to clean, often situated in trendy neighbourhoods and offer a wide variety of amazing amenities that are always at your disposal. If you’re moving into an apartment for the first time, this is the article for you. Today, we have a look at some simple tips and tricks that will make your transition into apartment living an absolute breeze. Read on to find out more!
Don’t Go Overboard
One of the mistakes that many people make when moving into their first apartment is purchasing a plethora of furniture and appliances that end up not fitting properly into a small apartment space. Unlike regular townhouses or terraces, apartments require a little attention to detail when it comes to picking the perfect sized couch, coffee table, washer, dryer and other essentials. We highly recommend thinking out of the box and purchasing compact storage furniture that not only looks sleek but can also offer you additional storage which is super important when you live in an apartment building.
Familiarise Yourself With The Rules
One of the perks of living in an apartment complex or building is that the body corporate takes charge of regular repairs, maintenance and the overall condition of the building. However, with that said, it is so incredibly important that you familiarise yourself with your building’s rules and regulations. Some of these rules may contain information about cleaning requirements, common courtesy, safety regulations and information regarding moving times, parking fees and the general code of conduct.
Set Up Your Utilities
One of the least exciting things about moving into an apartment for the first time is having to set up your utilities. Alas, this is a necessary evil which is better done sooner rather than later. Prior to moving into your apartment, it is important that you contact all your utility service providers to schedule installation dates and times for after you move in. This will include utilities such as water, gas, electricity and internet. While it is ok to wait a little for some utilities such as the internet and cable, other more urgent ones such as electricity, gas and water will need to be planned at least a few weeks prior to your move.
Meet The Neighbours
Apartment living means that you’ll be in pretty close quarters with your neighbours, even though you probably won’t see them too often. Unlike landed properties where you can wave to your next-door neighbour whilst pulling your car out of the driveway, most apartments will only have you accidentally bumping into one another in the lift once or twice a year. In order to build a sense of community, we highly encourage you to do a little door knocking and introduce yourself to your closest neighbours. You’ll feel so much more at home knowing that you have pals right around the corner!
Ensure You Have All Necessities First
When moving into your first apartment, it is important that you ensure you have all the necessities you need. Of course, the term “necessities” is entirely subjective, but I’m sure we can all agree that items such as cookware, dinnerware, toiletries, bedding/manchester, towels, clothes hangers and cleaning products are essential. Even though you’ll probably want to start accessorising and decorating immediately, we highly recommend taking it easy in your first week so as to not overwhelm yourself. Other less urgent items such as decorations, plants and artwork can be acquired after you’ve comfortably settled into your apartment.
Pay Close Attention To Your Documents
Last but not least, paying close attention to your lease is always recommended so that you don’t end up in a sticky situation down the line. It is important that you read the agreement very carefully and take note of all its terms and conditions before signing it. Look out for information regarding late rental payments, penalties and transfer of lease before committing yourself to anything. Once you have signed your lease and have collected your keys, it is important that you take photos of the apartment for your condition report. This is a report that serves as a time-stamped record of the apartment at the time you move in and will help prevent future arguments or issues about the condition of the property when the time comes for you to move out.
Moving into an apartment for the first time can be one of the most exciting things you’ll experience in your life. We hope that this little cheat sheet has given you all the information you need to make your transition to first-time apartment living as smooth sailing as possible!
