--- title: Moving Into Your First Apartment: What to Know url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-apartment-move/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Moving into your first apartment # Moving into your first apartment For a first apartment, do three things before the keys change hands: read the lease line by line, photograph every wall and floor on move-in day, and reserve the elevator or loading zone. Nevada law limits the security deposit, so check the rule in NRS 118A.242 against your lease. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) A first apartment is a short list of big decisions and a long list of small ones. The big ones are the lease and the deposit. The small ones are the lamp, the shower curtain and the trash cans, which is how people end up on the first night with a bed and nothing else. This guide takes the first apartment in the order it happens. ## The lease comes first Read the whole lease before you sign. Look for the monthly rent, the length of the term, the due date, late fees, pet rules, guest rules and who pays which utilities. Ask what happens if you leave early. Landlord and tenant law for Nevada is in NRS Chapter 118A, and HUD publishes a plain-language summary of tenant rights. If a clause confuses you, ask before you sign, not after. ## Deposit and move-in condition Nevada limits the amount a landlord may demand as a security deposit, and the rule is in NRS 118A.242 along with the landlord's duties and the process for an itemized accounting at move-out. On move-in day, photograph every wall, floor, appliance and window, and email the pictures to the landlord with the date. The file is your proof of what was there on day one. ## Reserve the building - Ask whether the building has a freight elevator, a loading zone or move-in hours. - Book the elevator in advance if the building has one, and ask about a deposit for it. - Measure the stairs, hallways and doors for a couch or a mattress. - Park a truck as close to the door as the rules allow, and keep a spot clear. - Tell the neighbors if you will block a shared hallway. ## Utilities and the basics Call the electric company, the internet provider and, if the lease says so, the water and trash services about two weeks before the move, and ask for service to begin on the day you get the keys. The USA.gov moving checklist covers mail forwarding, driver license address changes and voter registration. See [how to transfer utilities](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/transferring-utilities/) and [the change-of-address checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/change-of-address-checklist/). ## Pack a small first load Most first apartments are a one-bedroom or studio, and the belongings fit in a few boxes and a few pieces of furniture. Pack a first-night box with bedding, a towel, a toothbrush, shower curtain, a lamp and a phone charger. [What goes in a first-night box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) lists the rest, and [the apartment moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/apartment-moving-checklist/) puts the weeks in order. ## Help with the heavy parts Friends are great for boxes, but a couch, a mattress and a dresser on a third-floor walk-up are another matter. O'Brien's does [apartment and condo moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/local-moving/apartments-and-condos/) in Reno and Sparks, and [moving out of your parents' house](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-out-of-your-parents-house/) and [moving on a budget](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-on-a-budget/) cover the other choices. Call the office and ask about the free in-home estimate and the 10 free heavy-duty boxes that come with it. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 118A, Landlord and tenant](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-118a.html) - [HUD, Tenant rights](https://www.hud.gov/topics/rental_assistance/tenantrights) - [USAGov, How to change your address](https://www.usa.gov/change-address) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Apartment and condo moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/local-moving/apartments-and-condos/) - [Apartment moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/apartment-moving-checklist/) - [What goes in a first-night box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) - [Moving on a budget (without cutting corners)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-on-a-budget/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Getting furniture ready for home staging](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-and-home-staging/) - [What is FF&E?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-ffe/) - [Hotel renovation FF&E logistics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/hotel-renovation-ffe-logistics/) - [Planning a laboratory move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/planning-a-lab-move/) - [Moving office IT and equipment](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/office-move-it-and-equipment/) - [Business records storage basics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/records-retention-and-storage/) - [What white-glove delivery means](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/white-glove-delivery-meaning/) - [What to ask an FF&E installer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/choosing-an-ffe-installer/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### How much notice do I need for the elevator? It depends on the building. Ask the manager when you sign the lease, and book as soon as the move date is firm. ### Can I get my deposit back? A landlord must follow Nevada's rules for itemized deductions. Move-in photos and a clean unit help. ### What do I need on the first night? Bedding, a towel, toiletries, a lamp, a charger and snacks. Pack them in one clearly marked box. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! S Sonia P. August 4, 2023 Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070