Welcome home! Moving into a new rental is exciting, and a little planning goes a long way toward making move-in day stress-free. This guide walks KEILTY residents through everything to handle before, during, and after the move so you can settle in quickly and comfortably.
Step 1: Before Move-In Day
Confirm Your Lease Details
- Review your lease: Double-check your move-in date, rent amount, payment due date, and any building-specific rules such as parking assignments or pet policies.
- First payment: Make sure your first rent payment and any deposits noted in your lease are arranged before your move-in date.
Arrange Tenant Insurance
- Most KEILTY leases require proof of tenant insurance before keys are released. It protects your belongings and provides liability coverage, and it typically costs far less than people expect.
- KEILTY has partnered with APOLLO to make this easy. You can get covered online in about two minutes, and your proof of insurance is shared with KEILTY automatically.
Set Up Utilities and Services
- Utilities: Check your lease to see which utilities are your responsibility, then contact providers to put hydro, gas, water, and internet in your name effective on your move-in date. Setting this up a week or two ahead avoids service gaps.
- Change of address: Update your address with Canada Post (mail forwarding), your bank, your employer, and the CRA, and update your driver's licence and health card through ServiceOntario.
Step 2: Move-In Day
Keys and Access
- Key pickup details are confirmed with you before your move-in date. If you are moving into a multi-unit building, ask about booking the elevator or loading area in advance so your movers are not left waiting.
Document the Condition of Your Home
- Walk through with fresh eyes: Before boxes come in, walk through every room and photograph or video the condition of walls, floors, appliances, and fixtures.
- Report pre-existing issues: Note anything that needs attention and report it through the resident portal within your first few days. This protects you at move-out and lets us fix small issues early.
Find the Important Stuff
- Locate your electrical panel, the main water shut-off valve, and all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Knowing where these are before you need them matters.
Step 3: Your First Week
Register for the Resident Portal
- The KEILTY Resident Portal is your home base for paying rent, submitting maintenance requests, and viewing your lease documents. Register as soon as you move in and consider setting up automatic rent payments so you never miss a due date.
Learn Your Building's Rhythm
- Confirm your garbage, recycling, and green bin schedule, your parking arrangements, and any shared amenity rules. If anything is unclear, just ask.
Questions? We Are Here to Help
If anything comes up before or after your move, reach out to the KEILTY team through the resident portal or call us at 613-545-3322. For a smooth exit whenever that day comes, bookmark our companion post, The Comprehensive Guide to Moving Out.
About the Author
A.J. Keilty is President of KEILTY Realty Management, where his team manages thousands of doors across Ontario with a flat rate, same-day answers, and no surprises. Since 2003, KEILTY has helped owners, from single-family landlords to institutional portfolios, protect their assets and maximize returns without the headaches of self-managing. Connect with A.J. on LinkedIn or follow him on X, or get a free rental evaluation to see what KEILTY can do for your property.
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