New Jersey Rental Guide 2022

It is highly recommended that tenants be present on move-in day to ensure the proper disposal of any leftover moving supplies, that heavy items like furniture are placed in the correct rooms and to account for any damages that might occur (to personal property or otherwise) during the moving process. Schedule A Walk Through And Document It New tenants may be interested in doing a physical walk through of the apartment a few days before their actual move-in date (some landlords will request this). A walk through ensures that any necessary repairs have been completed and allows the landlord/property manager to record pre-existing issues for which the new tenant should not be held responsible. Building management will not perform the walk through themselves; the responsibility falls on you, as the new tenant, to inspect the apartment prior to your move-in date. Even when a walk-through is not requested by the building management, we highly recommend that new tenants perform one themselves and take pictures of any pre-existing issues they find in the apartment. To resolve these issues, and protect yourself from liability, it is advisable to contact building management with the pictures before moving in. Change the Lock An apartment should have two locks on the front door, one in the doorknob itself and another stronger lock above it, referred to as a “deadbolt.” Most homes also have this type of lock system. To err on the side of caution (prior tenants or owners may have passed out copies of the keys), new tenants or owners should have a locksmith change the locks, or at least the deadbolt, before moving in. If moving into an apartment, many leases will require new tenants to obtain their landlord’s approval prior to having the locks changed. The cost of this change will fall on the tenant, not the landlord. Additionally, copies of these keys MUST be given to the doorman (if applicable), superintendent or management office in case you become accidentally locked out of the apartment. Similarly, if the property owner has not been given a new key and needs immediate access to the apartment, for instance, during an emergency, they will break into the apartment, and the cost of repairs will become yours. If changing the locks on a purchased home, consider giving a spare set of keys to a trustworthy neighbor, close-by family member, or friend, in case of an emergency. Set Up Utilities After signing the lease, new rental tenants must contact the utility company and have the gas/electric bill transferred into their name. This is for billing purposes only; utilities will already be available in the apartment before occupancy. Ensure that the billing cycle begins on the same day that your lease starts. A copy of the front page of the lease may be requested by the utility company as proof of tenancy. With international tenants, they may request a copy of your passport and a monetary deposit. If you purchased a home that was previously occupied by the owner, utilities will most likely just be switched into your name. If you purchased a home where the previous owners already moved out, or a foreclosure, there’s a chance you will have to contact the local utility

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Rental Guide: New Jersey