Let the Moving Daze begin . . .
TENANT RESOURCE CENTER OFFERS HELP TO DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS DURING “MOVING DAYS”
If you live or work downtown, you know that the busiest time of the summer is upon us when downtown area renters 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 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. 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.
DONATE USABLE ITEMS AND PROPERLY DISPOSE OF OTHERS
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, non-perishable food items; dishes, pots and pans; decorative items; furniture and other functional household items at the following pick-up sites:
NEW LOCATION: Bassett & W. Mifflin (near the old Mifflin St. Co-op, now ABC for Health)
August 11—13, 11 am—5 pm; August 14, 8 am—2:00 p.m.
Holy Redeemer parking lot (120 W. Johnson St., one block off State Street)
August 11—13, 11 am—8 pm; August 14, 8 am—1:00 p.m.
Regent & Mills (Behind McDonalds in UW Lot 51)
August 11—13, 11 am—8 pm; August 14, 8 am—1:00 p.m.
The City of Madison also requests that tenants recycle and remove trash properly as they move out of their apartments. Residents can start placing their full brown trash carts and green recycling carts at the curb as early as Monday August 10. Crews from the Streets Division will be out all day, every day, during the week of August 10, so that carts can be emptied and re-filled as quickly as possible. Keep larger metal items separate so they can be recycled. Most appliances, including microwaves, TV’s and computer monitors require a sticker that must be purchased in advance. Check out the City’s website at for complete recycling and trash removal guidelines.
Don’t forget that you can also sell, trade or give away useful items on the Madison Stuff Exchange. Residents of Madison and Dane County can register to use the site at no charge. Visit www.madisonstuffexchange.com. And of course there is always craigslist, at www.craiglist.org.
FOLLOW THESE 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 at 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. Madison landlords are also required to take photos, but in case yours doesn’t, you will have your own valuable evidence of the condition of the apartment.
– 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.
