Congratulations on securing your new property!  

Hopefully, you can benefit from this website and the many resources that have been compiled for you. 

As you begin the process of getting yourself set up to move in, here are some items that are immediately required and others that are recommended.  

Also, when moving, you will have other things to adjust, like your Drivers License and Passport & Nexus, and your mobile phone bill, among others; see below for some information to get started.

The lease document has important dates and information that you'll want to pay attention to, so you'll want to refer to it. After all parties have signed the lease, each of you should have received a copy; if you have not, please let us know right away.

Your Deposits (Security and/or Pet) need to be paid in full to the owner according to the dates listed on your Lease Agreement and before you get possession (Keys), so be sure to get this money to them.

Your first month of Rent is due and must be paid in full before you get possession (Keys), usually sent a day before or the day of possession, but be sure to get this money to them before key handover. 

Also, most banks have daily limits on the amount you can e-transfer, so you need to plan accordingly.

Please check your lease to see what is included; you will most likely be responsible for your utilities, so here is some information and some links.
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Tenant Insurance: you can go to most insurance companies for this and tell them you require a minimum of $2,000,000 3rd Party Liability insurance. 

You may want to seriously consider insuring yourself for displacement and/or your contents as well (furniture, etc.), but that is up to you; please talk these over with your insurance broker. 

There are many choices; here are a few helpful links: 

• https://www.squareone.ca/tenant

• https://www.wawanesa.com/canada/products/tenant-coverage.html?language_id=1

• https://www.bcaa.com/insurance/home/renters

There are many more providers, and you can go to basically any of the local insurance brokerage offices (where you might already go for things like your car insurance) in town to get those; we do recommend Tsawwassen or Ladner Insurance or Westland Insurance, but it is up to you who you choose.  Regardless, it is required to get insurance as it is a condition/term of the lease agreement and must be in place prior to your receiving possession. PLEASE SEND ME A COPY OF THE TENANT INSURANCE POLICY WHEN YOU HAVE IT. 

Electricity: Unless otherwise stated, you will need to set up an account with BC Hydro; this can be done using this link and will take care of your electricity (lights, appliances, etc.): https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/moving-electrical-connections/new-customer.html#home. PLEASE ADVISE ME WHEN THIS IS DONE AND PASS ALONG THE ACCOUNT NUMBER. 

Natural Gas - Unless otherwise stated, you will need to set up an account with FortisBC; this can be done using this link: https://www.fortisbc.com/ and will take care of your Natural Gas, which is required if you have a Gas Furnace, Gas Range, and Fireplace, etc. (double check if Gas is included with your rent first as it is with some Strata properties) PLEASE ADVISE ME WHEN THIS IS DONE AND PASS ALONG THE ACCOUNT NUMBER.

Internet/TV: You likely will want internet access, so you can contact: 

• Eastlink: https://www.eastlink.ca/ 

• Rogers/Shaw Cable: https://www.shaw.ca/

• Telus: https://www.telus.com/en

• Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/ 

Movers: To get quotes on movers from an impartial third-party company, feel free to use this free service:
MovingWaldo is a technology company that specializes in simplifying the residential moving process for you and your family. Their comprehensive suite of services includes booking trustworthy movers, comparing internet plans, and automating administrative tasks, which can save you hours of paperwork. Get in touch with a personal booking agent by following this link: MovingWaldo.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: 

There are probably 30 or 100 other places where you may need to change your address; you can use MovingWaldo’s address-changing service allows anyone who moves to change their address with more than 1000 organizations in less than 5 minutes, and for free!: https://app.movingwaldo.com/en-ca/change-of-address.

Alternatively, they offer a FREE MOVING CHECKLIST too, if you want to do it yourself but want a checklist to follow: https://movingwaldo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/BC_AddressChangeChecklist_Branded.pdf.

Some are more urgent than others; for example, be sure to update your information with the Government for things like your BC Services Card, Drivers License, etc. Visit this link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/government-id/bc-services-card/your-card/change-personal-information

For BC MSP, use this link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/managing-your-msp-account/moving-within-bc#:~:text=The%20Medicare%20Protection%20Act%20requires,online%20at%20the%20same%20time.

Your Employer: you will want to let them know so they have your information on record to get you your paycheque, T4, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Your Life Insurance Company.

Your Friends and family.

Your Former Landlord.

This webpage is fairly comprehensive but certainly cannot be seen as a complete list for you to follow, so please be sure to take account of your resources and notify everyone as soon as possible.

Nicholls Property Management

Greg@NichollsPropertyManagement.com
604-749-4676