You say you hate moving? Well, I’m here to tell you that we all have to move at some point. For various reasons I usually move home about once a year. It can be a real pain to move all your stuff, but with the right preparation, it can be a lot easier than you think! The only way to get through a move is to be organised and plan ahead. Now I don’t claim to be an expert on moving (I am however a Storage Solutions Expert here at easyStorage), but after moving pretty regularly over the years I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks to make the process that little bit simpler.

What to look for when you’re looking for a new place

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1. Signs of water damage, damp or mould

A smell is also a sign of problems. If the property smells musty, this could be a sign that there is a damp problem somewhere in the house. You can often smell mould and other building smells if you open windows and doors for a while before you visit. If there are any unpleasant smells when you enter the property, walk around it to see where they come from – this will help you to identify possible sources of dampness.

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2. Check outside

Check the outside of the property and all external areas, including gardens, garages and sheds. If there’s a shed or garage on the property make sure it has a secure lock and is weatherproof. Is there a security light? It’s a good idea to look at these first so you can get an idea of what’s involved in keeping them maintained. Check the outside surfaces for any damage or leaks. Look at gutters and pipes to see if they are secure and watertight.

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3. Transport options

Think about whether you will get a car parking space and if there is any on-street parking nearby for if you or people coming to stay may need it. If you don’t drive, then take a look at public transport options and test them out on the way to your viewings. You can also test your way to work so you have a more reliable idea of what your commute could be like. Sometimes a bus and train doesn’t sound too difficult on paper but it could be a line that is overcrowded or usually delayed.

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4. Lighting

You want a space that has lots of natural light and preferably a window or more than one. It’s a good idea to see the property both during the day and at night. I would suggest seeing a property during the day first so you have the best light to inspect everything properly.

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5. Look for plug sockets

If you’re a gamer or a big fan of snuggling up with a film like me you probably have a fair amount of electrical appliances so when I’m looking for a place to live I am always keeping a mental note of plug sockets. In this day and age having plenty of places to charge up devices seems like a given but especially in older properties, it is not. Make a note of how many you will need, and how far away they are from where your appliance could sit. Of course you can always use extension leads but no one wants dangerously over loaded extension leads and cables snaking around the floor as a trip hazard!

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6. Smoking hot or ice cold

Take a close look at windows, especially double-glazed ones, for signs of damage or drafts coming through. I really feel the cold and a draft can really affect your heating bill so make sure you check for any gaps. Speaking of heating bills, it’s useful to understand what heating you have, ask how your radiators are powered and the water heated.  As I mentioned, heating is very important as no one wants to come home to a place that might as well be an igloo!

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7. Kitchens and bathrooms

It is also important to have a good kitchen and bathroom. You will be spending time in both, so it’s worth checking they are clean and in good condition with all the appliances you need. Check when they were purchased if possible as it could be under warrantee or far past the usual life expectancy. Look for peeling paint around the baths and sinks and make sure there are no black marks from mould around the window frame. Also check that the window opens fully and has been recently cleaned. Extractor fans very useful to have also so check they are there and ask to turn them on to check if they work.

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8. Location, location, location

Finally, check the location – it needs to be somewhere you would actually like to live. See how far away you will be from places you go regularly. I go to the gym regularly and always ensure there will be one nearby. I also love going to the cinema spontaneously so I try to look around and make sure my property won’t be too far away from there. If you can arrange a second viewing, it is useful to get an idea of what the evening in the property might be like. It might help you see if there’s traffic or loud public transport or a loud restaurant nearby, which might affect your decision. I find seeing the property in mornings particularly useful as I prefer doing a later shift in the office, so I can get a bit more of a lie in! If there’s a school nearby and noisy children walking past in the morning I may not feel quite so enamoured with the property.

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And good luck in finding your dream rental!

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For all your storage needs, easyStorage is here to help. For all your packing needs, easyStorageBoxes is here to help. And if you need advice on packing things correctly, the easyStorageBoxes blog has many tips for safe and successful packing: https://easystorageboxes.com/blogs/news.