After living with parents, renting an apartment is a rite of passage for many young adults. By doing so, they learn how to manage finances by paying monthly rent and other expenses, can furnish the new space to suit their style, and come and go as they please. For a smooth transition, here are a few tasks renters should perform after signing the lease. 

What to Do After Renting an Apartment

1. Set Up Utilities

In addition to rent, utility payments will be due each month. Water and sewer, trash disposal, electricity, and natural gas are typical costs associated with renting. Depending on the lease terms, some of these utilities might be included in the rent. Renters are often responsible for cable, Internet, and telephone service payments.   

To set up utilities in a new place, a renter should contact utility companies to create accounts as soon as possible; otherwise, there won’t be light, running water, heat and air, or electricity to operate appliances. The superintendent or property manager can share the names and contact information of service providers. If the utilities are still turned on, the accounts will need to be transferred to the new tenant’s name.

2. Fill Out a Change of Address Form 

From official documents to holiday cards from friends, young adults might have received all sorts of mail at their parents’ house. Although parents might be willing to set letters aside, renters should contact the U.S. Postal Service to change their address. Doing so will save parents the trouble of sorting mail and ensure no correspondence is overlooked. 

Change of address forms are available to fill out at the local post office, or the process can be completed online. With a permanent change of address, the post office will forward First-Class Mail® to the new address for 12 months and periodicals for 60 days. Renters should let government agencies, banks, and additional contacts know the new address to send mail to it directly once forwarding services expire.

3. Set Up or Update Rental Insurance Policy

For tenants, a basic rental insurance policy covers the cost of replacing any property stolen during a break-in. The coverage will also pay for repairing or replacing property in the event of a flood or fire and will protect the renter from personal liability if someone gets injured on the premises. Many insurers offer rental coverage. When determining rates, the lender will consider the region where the apartment is located and whether security and safety amenities are onsite. Renters who already have coverage should update the policy based on the new location’s details.

For affordable living in Fairbanks, AK, contact Executive Estates Apartments. The complex has one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with refrigerators and stoves. Tenants also have access to an onsite, 24-hour laundry facility. See the photo gallery online. Call (907) 479-3655 or check out Facebook to find out which units are available.