Moving Tips You Can Actually Use.

It was nice of Eli to post the City’s “garbage tips”. However, I find the City’s tips kind of silly. Given the questions that people have that walk through the doors at the Tenant Resource Center, here’s some other “tips” you might find more useful.

But first, a story. The worst, most egregious one so far, a landlord rented a building that is planned to be torn down. When the tenant arrived at the unit with their moving van, the landlord tried to talk the people into renting another unit. They didn’t want that unit and the were sitting there with their van trying to figure out what to do. (The sad part of this story is I know the landlord and the house and it has not been approved to be torn down, yet. Way to go Cliff!) Could you imagine looking for a new apartment under those circumstances? And I wonder where they slept last night?

Anyways, here’s those tips!

TENANT RESOURCE CENTER (TRC) OPEN EXTRA HOURS

• TRC will be open until 7:30 tomorrow night. Normally we’re open Monday – Friday 9 – 6 and you’re welcome to stop by (1202 Williamson St. Suite A) with your questions, which will be quicker than trying to get through on the phone. (Can’t pick up the phone cuz we’re busy helping walk-ins but here’s the number if you can be patient 257-0006. It might be 48 hours before we can get back to you!)

SAFE DUMPSTER DIVING!

• Bed bugs and cockroaches might be hiding in the upholstered furniture, think twice before you take it home with you.

CHECK-OUT/MOVING OUT TIPS

• 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. (Well, if you moved into a pig sty, leave it in better condition!)
• 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 our lease).

MOVING IN TIPS

• 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.

DONATE USABLE ITEMS

Yes, the following information is important!

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—noon
• Gorham & Henry (Behind Holy Redeemer Church): 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: http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/ or call 267-2626.

For non-campus folks, you can drop off usable items, and pick up some new ones at the corner of S Ingersoll and E Wilson. It’s a free exchange of items.esq

BE SAFE IN YOUR NEW APARTMENT

• Be sure to inspect your new unit closely for locks and other safety features, and report anything that is not functioning properly to the landlord right away.
• Be aware of your surroundings while you are moving and stay safe!
• Door locks, chains, and deadbolts. Always lock your doors—even when you are home. Don’t make your apartment and yourself easy targets for intruders by propping your door open or leaving it unlocked for friends or roommates. Always use your deadbolt, and if you don’t have one at least an inch long, request that your landlord install one.
• Sliding doors. Unsecured sliding doors are a common target for unauthorized entry. Be sure to use your patio door lock, plus a secondary locking device such as a stick in the sliding track to prevent the door from opening.
• Window and ventilation locks. All first floor and second floor windows are required to have both regular locks, which do not allow the window to open at all, and ventilation locks, which allow the window to open a few inches for ventilation but not wide enough to allow entry. These locks, when installed and used properly, will not allow entry without breaking glass. If locks are missing or don’t work, request repairs.
• Security-locked entrances. Controlled-access buildings are only secure if the common doors remain closed and locked when not in use. Remember, if you prop them open, you are compromising the safety of the whole building.
• Keys. Never label your keys or key chain with your house or unit number. If you lose them, your apartment will be at risk. Landlords are not obligated to change the locks between tenants, but if you’d like the locks rekeyed and the landlord does not want to do it, you could offer to pay for the rekeying. You can ask your landlord for extra sets of keys, but you may be required to pay a small deposit.
• Door viewer. Always use your door viewer before you open your door for someone. If the door viewer is broken or not provided, notify the landlord.
• Common area lighting. Be sure hallways and basements have adequate lighting. If bulbs are burned out, notify the landlord right away. Common area lighting is required by Madison General Ordinances. Parking lots for more than three cars must have lighting.
• Getting repairs completed. In most instances, the above-mentioned security measures are required by local building codes. Always notify the landlord if repairs are needed. If the landlord does not respond, call the City of Madison building inspector at 266-4551.

GARBAGE

• OK – try your best to be nice and neat about it. However, I fully realize that if you bag up your garbage and set it out, within 20 minutes it will be torn open by passers-by looking for treasure.
• If you need more tips, visit Eli’s blog or the City’s website. And please tell me those tips Eli posted weren’t from the police department, I hope they were from the streets department. You’d think the police would have included some safety tips! (Sorry Eli, glad to see you finally posted! 🙂 I guess the “command” worked!)

p.s. My pet peeve. NOT EVERYONE WHO MOVES ON AUGUST 14th/15th IS A STUDENT. MANY NON-STUDENTS LIVE DOWNTOWN AND ARE CAUGHT IN THE SAME DUMB TRADITION!