I have moved apartments six times in the last decade. Every single time, I forgot something important. Sometimes it was small — no shower curtain on day one, standing in a freezing bathroom wondering if towels work as curtains. (They do not.) Sometimes it was big — not measuring the couch and discovering it does not fit through the door. That was a $1,200 mistake.
This checklist is everything I have learned the hard way. Use it. Print it. Check things off. Your future self will thank you when you are not sleeping on a mattress on the floor because you forgot to order a bed frame.
Before You Sign the Lease
- Measure your largest furniture and compare it to doorframes, hallways, and stairwells
- Check cell phone signal in every room
- Test water pressure in the shower and sinks
- Flush every toilet. Listen for weird noises.
- Open and close every window. Do they lock? Do they have screens?
- Turn on every burner on the stove
- Check for outlets in every room. Count them. Are there enough?
- Look for signs of pests: droppings, traps, weird smells
- Ask about the last time the locks were changed
- Get the landlord's preferred maintenance contact method in writing
- Photograph every wall, floor, and appliance before moving anything in
- Document existing damage with dates and descriptions
- Ask about trash pickup days and recycling rules
- Check parking situation: assigned spots? Street parking? Permits needed?
- Find the circuit breaker and water shut-off valve
First Day Essentials
These are the things you need within the first 24 hours. Pack them separately and keep them accessible. Do not bury them under boxes.
- Toilet paper (seriously, bring at least two rolls)
- Hand soap and dish soap
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Shower curtain and rings
- Towels (at least one per person)
- Bedding: sheets, pillows, blankets
- Phone chargers
- Basic tools: screwdriver, hammer, scissors, box cutter
- Flashlight (in case you trip a breaker)
- Bottled water and easy snacks
- Prescription medications
- Important documents: lease, ID, insurance info
First Week Setup
- Change the locks (or ask landlord to do it)
- Set up internet (schedule installation before move-in day if possible)
- Transfer or set up utilities: electricity, gas, water
- Update your address with USPS
- Update address with bank, employer, subscriptions
- Register to vote at new address
- Find the nearest: grocery store, pharmacy, laundromat (if no washer), emergency room
- Buy a plunger before you need one
- Get a fire extinguisher for the kitchen
- Buy a first aid kit
- Stock the pantry with basics: salt, pepper, oil, pasta, rice, canned goods
- Get cleaning supplies: all-purpose cleaner, sponges, broom, mop
- Buy curtains or blinds for privacy (especially street-facing windows)
The Roommate Conversation (Do This Before Unpacking)
- Agree on rent split and put it in writing
- Decide how utilities will be handled
- Discuss chore expectations
- Set guest boundaries
- Talk about noise preferences and schedules
- Agree on fridge and food rules
- Discuss thermostat preferences (this will be a fight eventually, set ground rules now)
- Create a shared expenses system (Venmo, Splitwise, whatever)
- Exchange emergency contact information
- Take a group photo for the security deposit documentation
Things You Will Forget (I Always Do)
- Shower curtain rings (you bought the curtain, not the rings)
- Toilet brush
- Plunger (seriously, buy one now)
- Ice cube trays (if fridge has no icemaker)
- Can opener
- Bottle opener
- Scissors (you packed them, but which box?)
- Light bulbs (check every fixture, some will be dead)
- Batteries for smoke detectors
- Extension cords and power strips
- Hangers (you always need more than you think)
- Laundry basket
- Drying rack (if no dryer)
- Iron and ironing board (if you are the type who irons)
- Step stool (for high cabinets and changing smoke detector batteries)
The "Nice to Have" List
These are not emergencies, but they make life better:
- Plants (they make a new place feel like home)
- Area rugs (especially if you have hardwood floors and downstairs neighbors)
- Extra storage bins (you have more stuff than you think)
- Coat hooks or rack (entryways get messy fast)
- Shoe rack (see above)
- Full-length mirror
- Desk lamp (overhead lighting is terrible for working)
- White noise machine (if you are a light sleeper)
- Basic toolkit beyond screwdriver and hammer
- Command hooks (for temporary hanging without damaging walls)
Moving Day Tips
- Label every box with the room it goes to and a rough description of contents
- Number boxes and keep a master list (Box 12 = kitchen utensils)
- Pack a "first night" bag with pajamas, toothbrush, phone charger
- Take photos of electronics before unplugging them (for reassembly)
- Keep valuables with you, not on the moving truck
- Have cash for tips if you hired movers
- Clean the old place before returning keys (get that deposit back)
- Do a final walkthrough of the old place with your phone flashlight
The One Thing That Matters Most
After all the boxes are unpacked and the internet is working and the fridge is stocked, do one thing: have a meal together. Order pizza. Cook something simple. Sit on the floor if you have to. Moving is stressful and exhausting and nobody feels human after a day of hauling boxes. Sharing food reminds you that you are not just roommates sharing a space — you are people sharing a life, at least for a little while.
My best roommate relationships all started with a pizza on the floor surrounded by boxes. My worst ones started with everyone retreating to their rooms immediately and never coming out. The difference is not the apartment. It is the connection.
P.S. — You will still forget something. It is fine. You can buy it tomorrow. Do not panic. Moving is hard enough without adding self-judgment to the mix.