It can be tempting to want to skim through your leasing agreement because it will be a lot of paperwork, but we\u2019re here to tell you, take it slow and read it thoroughly. This is a binding contract, so it\u2019s important that you understand it before signing your name to the dotted line.<\/p>\n

Some key items to be aware of are the length of the lease, move in\/move out dates, monthly rent, any late fees or penalties that can be incurred, rules of the property (quiet hours, guest policies, etc.), and how much notice you need to give before vacating the property.<\/p>\n

#4 \u2013 Save Up for Rent, Deposits, Fees, and Utilities<\/h3>\n

Moving into an apartment is going to entail some upfront costs, and you need to be prepared for them. When speaking to your leasing office, make sure that they give you a detailed breakdown of the various deposits, fees, pet rent, and other charges they expect and when they\u2019ll need them by. This should all be broken down to the penny in the leasing agreement. Most places will want first and last month\u2019s rent.<\/p>\n

Beyond that, you will need to set up service with any utilities or additional services such as water, gas\/electric, trash, parking, and cable\/internet. Many apartments will include some or all of these in the monthly rent, but it\u2019ll be on you to verify that.<\/p>\n

#5 \u2013 Keep Saving Up\u2026Moving Expenses Are Coming<\/h3>\n

Hiring movers is going to be the second big part of your expenses. You can do all the moving yourself, but if this is your first apartment and you\u2019ve never done it before, we highly recommend hiring professionals. This ensures that your move is conducted efficiently and without any damage to your furniture and personal items.<\/p>\n

Getting an estimate on professional movers is fairly straightforward. Most moving companies have an online form where you can provide them the details of your move so that they can come up with the expected fees. Since some of the cost hourly labor, plan on the final cost being 10 \u2013 20% more than the estimate.<\/p>\n

#6 \u2013 Plan Around the Weather<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a big reason why Lenexa residents don\u2019t typically move in the winter, and that\u2019s because Kansas weather can be flat-out unpredictable. When it\u2019s bad\u2026it\u2019s really bad, and the last thing that you want is to be moving during a snowstorm or subzero temperatures. This is why we recommend scheduling your move either in the spring or the fall. You won\u2019t have to deal with bone-chilling weather and you\u2019ll avoid the major heat waves that occur in the summer months.<\/p>\n

#7 \u2013 Pack Efficiently, Safely, and Be Sure to Label Your Belongings<\/h3>\n

One of the final steps in the moving process is going to be packing. That means you\u2019re going to need cardboard boxes, bubble wrap for delicate items (dishes, glassware, etc.), and plenty of packing tape. Don\u2019t forget to label the outside of all of your boxes with a description of the contents. Otherwise, you\u2019re going to make things tougher on the backend when you have to sort through all your belongings.<\/p>\n

#8 \u2013 Make Final Confirmations<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s never a bad idea to double-check with both your moving company and your apartment to make sure that everything is good to go for your scheduled moving day. Confirm dates, times, and make sure that you\u2019re going to be able to gain entry at your new apartment. Try to get the keys ahead of time if you can.<\/p>\n