Moving to a new home involves a lot of decisions — booking a moving company, disposing of things you no longer need, and coordinating the schedule between your old and new place. In particular, how you time your move-out date against your new lease’s start date is an important point that affects how much rent you end up paying. Sorting out the logistics in advance lets you move without a last-minute scramble.
- The basic approach for a moving company is to get quotes from several and compare price against service.
- Bulky waste generally requires advance booking and buying a disposal ticket, following your municipality’s rules.
- How you overlap your move-out date with your new lease’s start date affects how long you pay double rent.
- Before moving day, you’ll also need to schedule your old place’s notice period and the move-out inspection.
- Utility disconnection needs to be checked case by case — details for returning to your home country are covered in a separate article.
Choosing a moving company and getting quotes
When choosing a moving company, the basic approach is to get quotes from several companies and compare not just the price but also the scope of work and coverage. Prices vary significantly with the volume of your belongings, the distance, and your preferred date and time, so requesting quotes early gives you a better sense of your budget. Bookings fill up quickly during busy seasons like graduation and job-transfer season, so it’s a good idea to arrange things early once your dates are set. Some companies offer optional services like packing/unpacking assistance or taking away unwanted items, so it’s worth comparing those if you need them.
Disposing of bulky waste: start by checking your municipality’s rules
Furniture and appliances you dispose of when moving often count as “bulky waste,” and most municipalities require advance booking and buying a disposal ticket. Collection can take several days, so it’s important to apply early, working backward from your move date. Rules and fees vary by municipality, so check the waste-disposal guidance for your area.
How to overlap your move-out date and move-in date
How you overlap the move-out date at your old place with the contract start date at your new place directly affects your rent burden. The closer together the two dates, the shorter the period of double rent, but many people plan for a few days’ buffer to accommodate moving furniture in and out and cleaning. Check the notice period for your old lease alongside your new contract’s start date, and build a schedule that isn’t too tight.
Coordinating the schedule leading up to moving day
There’s a lot to arrange before moving day — scheduling the move-out inspection at your old place, packing, and changing the name on your utility contracts and other agreements. Making a prioritized list and working through it with time to spare helps you avoid a last-minute scramble. For notice at your old place, check the period specified in your contract and let the management company know your intentions as early as possible. Since the time slots management companies offer for move-out inspections are often limited, it’s important to communicate your preferred date and time early to coordinate.
Procedures easy to forget after moving
After your move is complete, you’ll also need to set up utilities at your new place and handle the address-change procedures at city hall. We cover these in detail in separate articles, so check those too for a smooth start to life at your new home. If your move involves leaving Japan (returning to your home country), the steps for cancellation and stopping utilities are different, so refer to that separate article as well.
FAQ
By when should I book a moving company?
Bookings fill up quickly during busy seasons, so once your move-out and move-in dates are set, we recommend getting quotes from several companies as early as possible.
Can I dispose of bulky waste right away?
Most municipalities require advance booking and buying a disposal ticket, and collection can take several days. Start the process with plenty of time before your move.
Can my move-out date and move-in date be the same day?
This can be possible depending on the property and contract, but a buffer of a few days is also common, given the logistics of moving furniture in and out and cleaning.
Summary
Organizing your move comes down to three points: booking a moving company early, planning bulky-waste disposal ahead of time, and coordinating your move-out and move-in dates. Also check the utility setup and city-hall procedures you’ll need after moving, and build in a schedule with some breathing room.