As you get older and the kids leave the nest, you might not want to continue putting money and effort into maintaining a family home. If you choose to downsize to an apartment in a retirement community, setting up utilities as soon as possible eases the transition to the new space. To take the complication out of utility setup, follow the below advice.

Utility Setup Suggestions

1. Make a Contact List

Trying to locate old utility statements amid packing will make the process even more chaotic, so look for the documents beforehand. Create a list or make a spreadsheet with the name of each provider, their contact information, your balances, and account numbers. Go over the list carefully to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Include water, electricity, cable, and internet service.

2. Don’t Procrastinate

Although there might be several tasks on your moving to-do list, don’t put transferring utilities last. Putting it off and requesting utility shutoff a few days before the move could subject you to steep fees. It could also take a while to get you on the books for service activation in your new place, too. To prevent these headaches, start alerting utility providers a few weeks before you relocate. Let them know your move date and new address at the retirement community. For a cushion, schedule to have service turned on in the new apartment a few days before you move in and shut off at the old place a day or two after you leave.

3. Do a Last Check

When you do a walk-through of the old house, check the latest readings on meters. Jot down the information and save it in your files. This can help you keep track of service and make sure you aren’t overcharged in the new apartment.

If you want to downsize to a luxury apartment in a comfortable, safe, friendly retirement community, contact the management team at Traditional Trades Inc. in Onalaska, WI. The well-appointed facilities are designed to help people age 55 and older throughout Onalaska and La Crosse counties maintain independent, active lives. To learn more about the retirement community and locations, call (608) 783-4785 or visit the apartment rental agency online to fill out an application. Become a Facebook follower to see photos and videos of the properties.