If you live or work downtown, you know that the busiest time of the summer is upon us when downtown area renters (not just students! but most anyone who rents downtown!) are stuck in the chaotic week-long nightmare optimistically called “Moving Day”. This is the time when the downtown is awash in moving trucks and the resulting traffic jams, temporarily homeless individuals (transients?! Alert the police!) with apartments full of earthly possessions packed into anything that moves, plus tons and tons of garbage.
The Tenant Resource Center has some tips for those moving (with my editorial and sometimes snarky comments in parentheses!). Following these tips can help feed the hungry, save the environment, and closer to your wallet, help you get your security deposit back hassle free.
REDUCE, RECYCLE,REUSE – DONATE USABLE ITEMS
Area organizations are sponsoring “Moving Days” to help tenants cope with unwanted items as they move. Goodwill Industries and St. Vincent de Paul Stores have downtown drop-off sites as well as their regular donation pick-up services. Donate any usable clothing; unopened, nonperishable food items; dishes, pots and pans; decorative items; furniture and other functional household items at the following pick-up sites:
Broom & Mifflin (Near Capitol Centre Foods): Goodwill truck
August 11—13, 11 am—5 pm; August 14, 8 am—2:00 p.m.
Gorham & Henry (One block off State Street): St. Vincent de Paul truck
August 11—14, 9 am—9 pm
Regent & Mills (Behind McDonalds in UW Lot 51): St. Vincent de Paul truck
August 11—14, 9 am—9 pm
More information on donation sites.
(I haven’t heard anything official, but watch for the impromptu recycling efforts on the corner of S. Ingersoll and E. Wilson Street (Central Park) where you can pick up (free!) or drop off usable items.)
TRASH
The City of Madison also requests that tenants recycle and remove trash properly as they move out of their apartments. Check out the City’s website at for recycling and trash removal guidelines.
Additionally, the City is urging people to put their trash out on multiple days so that the trash stays in the carts to the extent possible.
TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT
– Schedule a check-out time with your landlord, if possible. If there is a dispute about something, it can often be quickly resolved by talking with your landlord in person. For example, you could decide to clean the stove better or just pay the cost for the landlord to do it, or other similar items pointed out during a check-out inspection.
– Fill out a check-out form and make sure you keep a copy. In the City of Madison the
landlord is required to furnish you with one; if s/he doesn’t, s/he cannot deduct for cleaning or damages. If you need a check-out form, or a check-in form for your new apartment, download them from TRC’s website for free!
– Clean your apartment. It should be as clean as when you moved in.
– Take photographs or make a video tape if necessary to document the apartment’s condition.
– Get a disinterested witness (not relatives or roommates) to walk through with you to verify the state of the apartment and its cleanliness; try to get a written statement from them or a future address where they can be contacted should the need arise.
– Forward your mail and leave your new address with your landlord. All correspondence and security deposit returns will be sent to your last known address unless otherwise specified in your lease.
– When you arrive at your new place, take the time to thoroughly inspect your apartment and document ALL existing damage and wear and tear on your check-in form, so that you won’t be charged for those items when you move out next year.
TENANT RESOURCE CENTER AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND!
Tenant Resource Center (TRC) is open for calls and walk-ins, no appointment necessary, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. at 1202 Williamson Street, Suite A in Madison, call 608-257-0006. Outside Dane County 877-238-RENT.
In addition to normal business hours, TRC will have information tables at two community events in Madison this weekend, on August 16 and 17:
AFRICA FEST at Warner Park, Saturday August 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
TRIANGLE ETHNIC FEST at the “Triangle” at Braxton Place, Sunday August 17, from 11:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please visit TRC at these two locations if you have moving-related or other rental problems over the weekend.
EAST GORHAM
Yes, you will be able to get to/from E Gorham if you are moving!
STATE STREET
Here’s some moving instructions for State Street.
