You have found your dream apartment, want to save on move to Dubai UAE, or need a change of scenery? So a move is on the horizon for you? It can be a stressful time – we’ll show you how to make your move stress-free.
Contents
Dubai Moving checklist and schedule
A few weeks before the move
Sign a lease for your new apartment and arrange handover of keys (Is there a transfer fee? The deposit must not exceed 3 net monthly rents, the broker’s commission must not exceed 2 net monthly rents).
Terminate the lease of your old apartment (The notice must always be in writing, note your notice period agreed in the lease).
Set moving date
Order moving company in Dubai UAE (compare prices and ask exactly what is included) or organize friends and relatives as movers
Rent a moving van
Are there renovation measures in the old or new apartment? Then organize appointments with craftsmen (painter, electrician, plumber,…)
Will furniture remain in the old apartment? Clarify transfer fee and takeover
Measure new apartment (consider bottlenecks for furniture) and consider furnishing plan
Order new furniture and arrange delivery dates – these can take up to a few weeks
Deciliter: get rid of old clutter and dispose of, give away or sell things you no longer need.
Inform employers and request leave for your move. Find out how much special leave you are entitled to for a move.
Read the complete checklist and money-saving tips for Dubai.
3 weeks before the move
Set a handover date with the old landlord. Beforehand, check what is written in the lease and how the apartment must be handed over (broom clean, paint the walls, remaining furniture, etc.).
- Clarify the heating bill with the landlord.
- Arrange meter readings for electricity and gas with your energy provider.
- Possibly request official permission for a parking space so that transporters or moving vans can be parked in front of the apartment.
- Obtain packing materials such as boxes, newspaper, tape, bubble wrap, masking film, markers, trash bags, bag sleds, etc.
- Review standing orders and direct debit authorizations and cancel or adjust as necessary.
- Organize babysitter or pet sitter for moving day.
- One week before the move
- Pack everything in boxes and clean out again.
- Tip: Be sure to label the boxes!
- Pack important documents and valuable items separately.
- Think about which things you will need with you on moving day (ID cards, keys,…)
- Get cleaning supplies
- Ask the movers and baby/pet sitters to confirm the date again.
- Dismantle furniture
- On moving day
- Get food
- Defrost refrigerator
- Cover floors
- Keep tools handy
- Explain the work process to the movers and assign tasks (where is what and what is to be taken?)
- Check the staircase for possible damages and document them. This way you cannot be held liable for it after the move. Check again after the move.
- Check the meter readings for electricity, gas, water and heating and make a note of them.
- Switch off main fuse
- Close gas and water taps
- Shortly after the move
- Inspection and acceptance of the old apartment with the landlord and handing over the keys.
- Have a handover protocol issued and take photos!
- Demand the return of the deposit (here you are also entitled to interest if the deposit is paid back in full).
- Demand final rent statement
- Registering, changing and de-registering
Register your main/secondary residence at the registration office. The registration deadline is 3 days after moving into the new apartment. Check the website of the relevant registration office to find out which documents you need for a change of address. (In most cases these are: official photo ID incl. proof of citizenship, birth certificate and registration form).
Inform insurance companies of your new address or cancel your insurance (household, liability, life, health, accident, car, legal protection insurance…) Tip: Inform your household insurance company of your move, as this may be covered by insurance.
- Send employer registration form
- Cable TV, GIS
- Telephone/mobile phone
- Internet
- Inform energy provider about the move
- Water
- Offices (health insurance, tax office, pension fund, church,…)
- Newspaper subscriptions
- Set up a forwarding order with the post office.
- Banks and credit institutions (current account, credit card, building society savings contract,…)
- Customer cards.
Carry out the move yourself – save money!
Moving to a new apartment is expensive enough – broker’s commission, deposit, new furniture, it all has to be paid. Save money and organize the move yourself. Friends, family, and acquaintances will certainly be happy to help you. We have practical tips for Dubai move, so that you do not forget anything:
The moving date is approaching, so take care of packing materials such as boxes, newspaper, tape, bubble wrap, masking film, felt pens, blankets, etc. now.
You will need a moving van. Reserve this well in advance.
Activate helpers: Ask friends, relatives and acquaintances who can help you pack before the move date and who can help on move day. Don’t forget provisions on moving day – it increases motivation!
If you have small children or pets, make arrangements for them to be accommodated on moving day to avoid stress for everyone involved.
Declutter: As you begin to pack, consider which items you really still need and which you can dispose of, give away or sell. A garage sale is a perfect opportunity to rid you of old clutter. In addition, you avoid garbage and can increase your moving budget still something. You usually don’t believe what treasures are in the basement or attic.
Labeling: To avoid confusion and unnecessary lugging later, label your boxes with the contents and which room to put them in. Label fragile contents!
Proper packing: Always pack one room at a time and don’t fill boxes too full or they could tear. Wrap fragile items with newspaper and place at the very top of the box.
