Storage Tips





Getting organized for your move

  • Take inventory of your home. Decide what to keep and what to give away. Donate items that you no longer want or have a yard sale.
  • Buy a large accordion file for all important moving-related documents. Many moving expenses are tax deductible, so keep all receipts. Use this file to also organize important household papers.
  • Check on insurance coverage for your possessions while in storage.
  • Ask your pharmacy about transferring your prescription to a pharmacy closer to your new location.
  • If you have school-age children, talk to your current school and the new one to find out how to transfer your child.
  • If you will be changing banks, open your accounts and order new cheques in advance.
  • Start packing belongings that you don’t often use.
  • Make sure you filed a “Change of Address” form with the post office.
  • Arrange to have your utilities stopped at your old address a day after you’ve moved out, and request that any deposits be returned. Call the local utilities serving your new address to have service connected a day before you move in.
  • Depending upon your circumstances, the list of utilities might include telephone, heat, electric, water, cable, garbage pickup and so on.
  • Once you have your new phone number, call your long distance carrier and sign up for, or transfer, special savings programs and services.
  • Cancel (or transfer) newspaper delivery at your old address.
  • Pack a “survival” kit: Identify what each person in your household must have while you are in the midst of moving – from special foods to prescription drugs.

Items you should NOT pack:

Keys to your new home.
Basic tools: Hammer, screwdriver, nails, masking tape, tape measure, flashlight, light bulbs, pocket knife and trash bags.
Kitchen essentials such as snacks, paper plates, cups and plastic utensils.
Miscellaneous items like eyeglasses, address book, chequebook, telephone, clock, a change of clothes and prescriptions.



Have these items on hand, ready for moving day:

The keys to your new residence.
Phone number, address and directions to your new home.
The file with all of your moving-related documents.