The coronavirus pandemic has impacted just about every aspect of daily life, from going to the grocery store to getting exercise to interacting with friends and family. For many people, the public health crisis has altered their plans to move, and in some cases, forced them to find somewhere else to live.
Navigating typical tasks is challenging enough during these uncertain times, but coordinating a move is an entirely new obstacle. In this post, we’ll share some tips to help you determine if you can and should move during a global pandemic, and how you can do so as safely and efficiently as possible.
1) Think carefully about your move
As inconvenient as it may be to have your plans changed, you might think about reconsidering your move if you have the ability to do so. With strict health guidelines and limited resources, moving during a global pandemic might not be in your best interest.
If you do decide not to move right now, be transparent and proactive with your landlord so that the two of you can come to an agreement that’s manageable for both parties.
If your income has been impacted by coronavirus and you’re unable to pay rent because of it, you may qualify for a rent moratorium or other solution depending on where you live and how your landlord is handling the situation. Before up and leaving, do a quick check of your options so that you don’t need to incur any more stress than you need to.
Bottom line: whether or not you decide to move, keep your landlord in the loop. Most disagreements between tenants and their landlords can be avoided with clear communication.
2) Use social-distance-approved methods during your search
In normal circumstances, moving generally involves a lot of interpersonal interaction. From touring rental properties to signing your lease and getting the keys, even the preliminary procedures are done with close contact between property managers and their prospective tenants. But as a result of public health concerns and new regulations, landlords and tenants are having to adjust their standard procedures to comply with health and safety guidelines.
Many management companies have shifted to work from home models, which means much of the normal procedures will be done over the phone or online. Depending on your preferences, this could actually be a benefit to you.
The good news is, many of us are already accustomed to looking for rentals, submitting applications, and going through tenant screening online anyways, so this may not feel like such a big transition. If you’re searching for some new digs, check out these online listing platforms to start:
Trulia
HotPads
Craigslist
ApartmentGuide
ForRent
Homes.com
Realtor
RentCafe
Zillow
3) Ask about virtual tours
Another adjustment you can expect while searching for a new apartment during COVID-19 is how you tour listings. Thankfully, many property management companies and listing platforms have made it easy for apartment seekers to tour rentals online rather than in person. If possible, try to do a video tour rather than just looking at photos. This will give you a better look at the space and help you assess the cleanliness and condition of the space.
Since you’re not able to tour the space in person, be sure to ask plenty of questions so that there aren’t any surprises come move-in day. Here are a few questions worth asking:
How is rent handled—is it paid online?
Do you anticipate a rent increase in the near future?
What are the move-in costs—application, deposit, etc.?
Is parking included?
What amenities does the building offer?
What are the lease terms?
What is your pet policy?
Is there a penalty for breaking the lease early?
How are maintenance requests handled?
In addition to asking these questions, consider doing your own research on the property management company that you’re dealing with—chances are they have some reviews on their website, Yelp, or Facebook. This check will help you avoid potential listing scams.
4) Understand the risk
Anytime you decide to rent without physically visiting the space, there’s some level of risk involved, especially given the current circumstances. As you look for apartments and begin the application process, be on alert for potential scams and potentially risky lease agreements.
5) Make sure the property has been professionally cleaned
If you do find the right rental for your situation during the pandemic, it’s important to make sure that the property has been thoroughly cleaned before you move in. A recent study found that the virus can survive on cardboard surfaces for approximately 24 hours and on plastic and stainless steel for two to three days, so it’s imperative that you take the appropriate precautions to avoid spreading and contracting the virus.
Ask your landlord or property manager if they plan to have the space cleaned professionally, and what extra steps they are taking to make sure the space is safe to enter. If you can, try to wait a few days before moving into the apartment so that surfaces within the apartment have some time without contact. This waiting period will lessen the likelihood that surfaces will be contaminated.
As for moving out of your current apartment, do your part to disinfect the place as much as possible and consider wearing protective gear such as gloves and face masks as you clean.
6) Hire a safe moving company
It may be in your best interest to have as few people as possible touching your personal items, but if you’re unable to move on your own you might want to hire a professional mover. Many cities consider moving companies to be essential businesses, so there are several that are still operating at this time. Before hiring a moving company, see if you can get a virtual estimate online.
After you get the estimate, ask what precautions the movers will be taking in response to public health recommendations.
7) Be flexible
Navigating life during a global pandemic is new to all of us, so do your best to be understanding and patient with your landlords, neighbors, family, and friends; you’ll surely see the benefit returned.
Author Bio
Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is the managing editor for 365businesstips.com as well as runs a personal blog, sjruppy.com. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on current industry trends, and traveling.
