Everything to handle between signing your lease and settling into your new
place, organized by when to do it. Print it out and check items off as you go, or work
through it on your phone.
Move-In Date
Unit / Floor Plan
Roommate Contact
01
8 Weeks Before Move-In
The early stuff, easy to put off, hard to catch up on later.
Confirm your move-in date Double check the exact date with the leasing team so everything else on this list has a real deadline.
Start a moving folder Keep your lease copy, ID, and any insurance paperwork together, physical or digital, so you're not searching for them on move-in day.
Coordinate with roommates If you're sharing a unit, decide who's bringing shared items like a couch, TV, or kitchen basics before you both buy the same thing.
Look into renters insurance Ask the leasing team whether a policy is required and what coverage minimums apply, then shop around before your move-in date.
Plan your furniture and layout Check your floor plan's dimensions so you know what fits before you buy or bring anything large.
Easy to overlook
Book the time off, not just the movers.
Request the day off work or plan around your class schedule now. Move-in day fills up fast, and scrambling for coverage at the last minute is the most common regret we hear about.
02
2 to 4 Weeks Before
The logistics that need lead time to actually kick in.
Set up electric and water/sewer service These are billed separately based on usage at INTRO Columbus, so open an account in your name ahead of move-in rather than the week of.
Know your trash service fee Trash service is billed as a monthly fee separate from rent. Budget for it alongside your utilities.
Skip the internet setup Internet is included in your rent, so there's nothing to activate or schedule on your end.
File a change of address Submit a forwarding request with USPS and update your address with your bank, school, and any subscriptions.
Reserve a moving truck or van, if needed Book early if you're moving more than a few carloads of belongings, availability tightens up around move-in weekends.
Easy to overlook
Utility accounts take a few business days to activate.
Start your electric and water service before move-in week, not during it, so service is live the day you arrive.
03
The Week Of
Final prep so moving day itself is just execution.
Pack a first-night bag Toiletries, chargers, bedding, and a few basic kitchen items so you're not digging through boxes your first night.
Ask about parking for move-in day Call the leasing team to confirm the best place to load and unload near your unit.
Label boxes by room A quick label saves a lot of guesswork once boxes are actually inside the unit.
Confirm your key pickup time Check with the leasing office on exactly when and where to pick up keys or fobs.
Easy to overlook
Confirm parking before moving day, not during it.
A quick call ahead of time saves you from circling the block with a full truck while someone else is trying to do the same thing.
04
Moving Day
What to actually do once you're on-site.
Bring your ID and lease paperwork Have both on hand for the leasing office when you check in.
Pick up your keys or fobs Get this done first, before you start unloading anything.
Walk through the unit Note any existing damage in writing and take photos before you start unpacking.
Find your mailbox and package area Locate it early so you know where deliveries will land once you start ordering the essentials you forgot.
Test locks and smoke detectors A quick check now is easier than discovering an issue later.
Easy to overlook
Photograph your unit before you unpack a single box.
Timestamped photos of any existing scuffs, marks, or damage protect you later. Send a copy to the leasing office the same day if you can.
05
Your First Week
Settling in once the boxes are (mostly) unpacked.
Set up your bed first It sounds obvious, but it's the one thing you'll actually want done by the end of day one.
Save leasing office and maintenance contacts Put the numbers in your phone now so you're not searching for them the first time you need them.
Submit any maintenance requests Flag anything from your walk-through right away rather than letting it sit.
Confirm your renters insurance is active If you started a policy before move-in, double check the effective date lines up.
Map out your walk to campus Take the walk to Ohio State once before your first class so the timing isn't a surprise.
Easy to overlook
Test everything before your first guest arrives.
Run the shower, check the stove, and make sure the lock actually catches. Small fixes are easier to flag in week one than in week nine.
What's Billed Separately
A quick reference for budgeting before you move in.
Electric Billed separately based on usage. Set up an account in your name before move-in.
Water / Sewer Billed separately based on usage. Set up an account in your name before move-in.
Trash A monthly service fee, billed separately from rent.
Internet Included in rent. Nothing to set up.
Questions Before You Move In?
Our leasing team can walk you through key pickup, parking, or anything else on this list. Call (740) 519-5704 or visit us at 1497 N High St.
Equal Housing Opportunity
INTRO Columbus · 1497 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201 · (740) 519-5704
INTRO Columbus is committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local fair housing
laws. We do business in accordance with the Fair Housing Act and do not discriminate against
any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national
origin, or any other protected class. This checklist is general guidance and is not legal or
financial advice.
