You\u2019ve found your perfect rental, but there are still six important things to take care of before the best days of your life can begin.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Are we having fun yet? Well, that would actually be a \u201cno\u201d; moving into your new rental is going to involve some paperwork, some heavy lifting, and it will more than likely drain your bank account (at least in the early stages).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dreaming of breaking out of the parental home into your own rental?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n But despair not, there\u2019s hope on the horizon. Start looking forward to independence\u00a0and\u00a0good times with friends in your very own place with our six tips below\u2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It may sound obvious, but have a good read of your new lease before signing it. If you see something you don\u2019t like (or don\u2019t fully understand), work it out with the real estate<\/a> agent, or run it by your folks to check it out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let your flatmates know ASAP how much bond they owe, and get that lodged \u2013 how to do this varies state-by-state \u2013 a quick Google search will point you in the right direction.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While you\u2019re online, get your electricity, gas (if you need it) and internet connected at the new digs. It\u2019s also worth getting a quote on contents insurance; consider a policy that will cover accidental breakages for extra protection during the move. <\/span><\/p>\n In a perfect world, this would involve one phone call to the removal company to book your preferred date and time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your budget doesn\u2019t allow for this sort of extravagance, it\u2019s worth weighing up whether you:<\/span><\/p>\n a) enlist a mate with a van (or ute); Whatever you choose, don\u2019t forget to make an appointment with your agent to pick up the keys first.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Who will you rope in to help with the heavy lifting? Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We\u2019ve all been there; first night at the new pad, relaxing and enjoying a cold drink, kicking back on a couch made of milk crates pushed up against a wall.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Avoid this rite of passage altogether by making a quick list of the essential furniture<\/a> and appliances you don\u2019t want to be without on your first night, emailing it to your housemates, and order anything you don\u2019t have now \u2013 it can take weeks to order new furniture, even the self-assembly stuff, so be organised.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a fact that we all receive a lot less snail mail these days, but it does happen, and there are two schools of thought on how best to deal with it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Option one is the reactive method, basically \u201cwait and see\u201d. This is ideal if you\u2019ve just moved out of your parent\u2019s home; simply let the mail pile up high, and collect it from Mum and Dad when you go to drop off your washing a month from now. Then simply update your address for any important correspondence. <\/span><\/p>\n Option two, the proactive method, is to make a list of those who still use the post and let them know you\u2019ve moved. If this is too much trouble, use mail redirection for the first two months.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You know what we\u2019re talking about: random drop-ins. They will happen, and when they do, be fully prepared with a stocked fridge for that impromptu house party.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Stock up the fridge for when friends drop in. Picture: Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/span>Compared to living at home with your folks, renting is always going to slow down your savings, but it\u2019s an important step on the journey to independence nonetheless. <\/span><\/p>\n Consider the challenge of managing a budget as an important life lesson and the fast-track to a real world financial education. That\u2019s not to mention the life experiences that can come from living away from home, with friends, that you can\u2019t put a price on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n1. Get that pesky paperwork out of the way<\/h2>\n
2. Figure out who\u2019s doing the\u00a0heavy lifting<\/h2>\n
<\/span>b) enlist a mate and hire a van; or
<\/span>c) just hire the entire package \u2013 mate and van.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.realestate.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/16113139\/6-things-to-do-before-moving-into-your-first-rental-1-1024x681.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n3. Find missing furniture<\/h2>\n
4. Changing your address<\/h2>\n
5. Stock up the fridge\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n6. Thinking ahead<\/h2>\n
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Realestate.com.au <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"