In multifamily settings, a dissatisfying moving experience can have negative consequences for the rental administration. Customer retention rates have been shown to drop at the same rate that negative move-in reviews increase. People just don’t want to live in a complex where it is frustrating to move in and out of. Surveys show decreasing rates of lease renewal when residents experience frustration during the move. Helping new residents experience a stress-free move not only keeps the customer longer but also creates the word of mouth flow crucial to an excellent reputation in the apartment rental market. But when new residents tell their friends and family about their move-in blues, bad reviews and negative word of mouth will ensue.How to have a successful move with less stress and advice on how to find the right moving company.This is a list of tips on moving tips.
The solution to increasing retention rates and attracting new residents is in creating and disseminating the ultimate moving guide. An easy-to-follow detailed guide with practical, prudent do’s and don’ts to help families make the best of moving day shows renters how much their landlord values them. Moving doesn’t have to be a sting operation with the help of sound down-to-earth guidelines whether you’re moving across town or have hired an out of state moving company for the event.
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Check-it-off list
Organization is the key to a stress-free move-in zone. As soon as the renters sign a lease, providing them with a detailed checklist of all the necessary steps they must follow before, during, and after the move is the first step to excellent reviews. Welcome them with a step-by-step guide to the moving process in the rental community. This first impression of a well-intentioned and organized community that values its residents is what fosters the increase in customer satisfaction rates. The ultimate move-in guide must be clear and include all the details related to the move such as scheduling move-in dates and time, to secure the service elevator, security codes, parking availability for large trucks near the apartment, where to dispose of boxes for recycling, the nearest delivery services, clinics, and much more. Out of state moves carried out by out of state moving companies will need to know the details of moving you across the nation.
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Best moving companies referral
Most renters don’t know how moving companies compare one to another. They go with the ones with the most prominent ads on display or the popular ones, when they could be saving money with the best moving company for their needs. However, there is a grey zone that prevents them from knowing which one that would be. Referrals can be helpful since the best advertisement a company can have is word of mouth recommendations. Out of state and local moving companies may have different sets of rules and conditions. Shop around before you move whether you’re moving long distance or just up the street.
To help residents choose the best moving company for them, provide them with a list of the best moving companies and their moving services rates. Not only will residents be able to research these companies on their own, but they will know that these are reliable companies that have previously made residents happy during the moving process to the complex.
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Moving insurance is a great option
Don’t look at moving insurance like a waste of money or an added expense. Even the best moving companies and moving services can experience accidents. Most moving companies have a valuation system in place to determine the limit of liability according to their contract. Moving insurance companies take into account the valuation of your goods and the declared value of your possessions. The declared value of the possessions is the total weight of the shipments X an amount in dollars per pound. When making a claim customers must make sure they read the contract and follow the time requirements specified. The longer the distance of the move the more moving insurance makes sense. Know how the rules change per state if you are hiring a long distance moving company.
To increase resident move-in satisfaction, provide them with information about moving insurance policy facts and options. The more residents know what moving insurance can do for them and how to make a claim, the more confident they will be and the less stress they’ll have on the day of the move.
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Moving deductions tax benefits
Residents will thank you for your efforts to educate them on all the possible ways moving can be deducted from their taxes at the end of a federal fiscal year. One way to determine if you can deduct your move is to measure the distance a resident moves and log in the first day of employment at a new company. If the distance is 50 miles or more, the move is deductible, but the distance from your old job to your former residence is added to the equation. So, if your job was ten miles from home, you must move 60 miles away to a new position to qualify.
Another test you can take to find out if your move is tax deductible is the time test. You must work at your new job for at least 39 weeks in 12 months to qualify. Many of your moving expenses like professional movers, boxes, transportation, tape, crates, hotels, car shipping, mileage, gas, and more are deductible.
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Tipping your movers
Tipping movers depends on how big the move is and of course, what good a job movers do. For smaller moves that take 4 or fewer hours, $10 to $20 per person would be a good fit. For more extended moves with several rooms, $30 to $40 per person is not unusual. Make sure your movers put everything in its new place and install it before they dash out. Don’t let them slip out the door without finishing their job, or you will end up having to find someone else to put things together for you. This is very important since many movers want to deposit the boxes and furniture and leave right away. This is especially true, if your move is the last move of the day, or if they are running behind for another move they must do that day. Talk to your movers before the day of the move and on the day of the move to make sure expectations are clear. If you’re moving long distance, make sure to give you long distance moving company a heads up on the parking conditions of the complex for easier access to your apartment.
This is good advice to give residents who might be overwhelmed on the day of the move and then find themselves having to hire someone else to install their headboard but the screws are missing because the movers took them or failed to say where they put them. An all-inclusive guide to multifamily moving should contain snippets of sound advice for a smooth sailing move-in day.
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Best packing practices advice
The best packing tip is one to follow before the first day of packing. The consolidation of your possessions must pass the following three tests before they can be placed in a box or included in the move.
- Is this something I use?
- Is this something I need?
- Does this need to be replaced?
Packing can significantly influence the moving process. If you don’t use it, toss it. If you still want to keep it, but there is no use for it, you’re in trouble. Learning to donate your belonging to others who would find more use for them is a sign of sanity. Hoarding can be extremely difficult to deal with during a move. If you need help detaching from old, unused, or broken things call the Salvation Army or the Red Cross, they may have collection services in your area to help you dispose of unwanted furniture and other goods.
It is helpful to designate a donation pile in your home where you can gather all the items that will lessen your load. You may start packing after you sort through everything. Electronics may be donated and recycled as well, check the EPA site for ways to do so.
Make sure you wrap fragile items and pack them along with like items. Label the boxes to show their fragile belongings status.
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Saving on free moving boxes
Resourcefulness is a character trait most people turn to when they follow a budget. Suddenly, they can see the $ savings in free moving boxes. Tip your residents with the best supermarkets, home-improvement companies, and other company nearby known to be a good source of second-hand boxes. Usually, boxes are set aside and flattened out unless someone requests them. Visit large retailers near you for more information for specific times and days.
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The unpacking experience
Labeled boxes will make it to the right room for unpacking. But knowing which ones to open first for a comfortable back to normal feel at the new place will require a little extra planning in the labeling. Come up with your own code. For example, #1K and 2K might be the first 2 boxes to open in the kitchen. Tools for cooking, eating, and bathing may be your first necessities. Label your boxes according to a priority code and your unpacking will be a breeze.
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Utility services transfer or new accounts
Planning your service transfers and cancellations are the only way to make sure your utility services will be adequately working when you move in and turned off once you move out. But you might have to update the legal information, switch service provider, and pay outstanding bills before you’re set to go. Provide your residents with a list of documents they will need to transfer and connect utility services to their new place. A list of local providers with phone numbers and addresses is an integral part of the ultimate guide for a smooth move-in resident experience.
Residents welcome choices that will save them time and money. Putting the information before them helps them get organized, save money, and feel content at their new place.
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Mail forwarding, voter registration, & vehicle registration
Once your residents are in possession of the ultimate moving guide, they will know the phone numbers, addresses, and services offered by local mail, voter registration, and vehicle registration offices. If there over has been a long distance one, across state or county lines, they may need to update their mailing address and all other official matters.
Bonus: See more information about locksmiths. They are often useful during a move.
