Welcome home! Here are some tips and reminders are you are moving in to your new apartment. 

Before You Arrive

  • Check your lease for exact start date.
  • Pay your Rent- your first month of rent and security deposit are due before you move in. (You paid the last month of rent when you signed your lease.) We recommend setting your rent payments up on Auto-Pay in the tenant portal, and you'll also be entered in our Auto-Pay contest automatically if you do so by September 1! If you are in a group lease apartment, make sure you have all made the payments- no one can move in if there are any outstanding payments due.
    • Lease Guarantee from parents must be signed and submitted; no keys will be issued if missing or if payments are outstanding.
  • Renter’s Insurance is required. Arrange before arrival, using your own preferred provider. If your parents own a home in the US, check with their homeowners first to get your renter's insurance policy, or search 'Renter's Insurance Ithaca NY' for options. 

Key Pick-Up

  • Bring an AirTag, SmartTag, Tile or other tracking device to attach to your keys. Lost keys are expensive and inconvenient for you to deal with! 
  • Office Hours (Summer): Mon–Fri 10 am–5 pm; Closed weekends & holidays (esp. July 4). Call to confirm hours.
  • Bring photo ID (Cornell ID acceptable).
  • First roommate to arrive can pick up keys for everyone—coordinate ahead.
  • Who can pick up keys: Tenant, roommate on lease, official subtenant, or parent.
  • Other options (Tenants only):
    • Authorize a friend (must arrange in advance).
    • Late arrival pickup (limited; arrange ahead).
    • Key shipment (prepaid label; use padded envelope/box only; not recommended).

Subtenants: If moving in after original tenant, arrange key transfer directly with them. If first in, you must pick up in person and complete inspection.

Moving In

  • Arrival allowed any time after lease start—no early access or shipping/storage before.
  • Street parking only during move-in (meters enforced weekdays until 6 pm). No lot parking unless rented year-round.
  • Limited carts available—first come, first served.

Inspection & Maintenance

  • You’ll receive a Move-In Inspection Form by email after key pickup—must complete within 5 days, with photos.
  • Without the form/photos, you’re liable for any existing damage.
  • Include maintenance requests in the form; emergencies—call Maintenance directly.

Apartment Details/ What to bring

  • All units furnished—furniture removal not allowed. Bedroom: full-size bed + frame, dresser, desk/chair, bookshelf, mini-blinds. 
  • Kitchen: fridge, stove/oven, microwave; dishwashers in most 2BR+ units and select studios/1BRs. No small appliances or cleaning supplies provided.
  • WHAT TO BRING: Bed linens- a full size sheet set, blanket or comforter, pillows, mattress & box spring covers, towel set, small trash can for bathroom, medium trash can for kitchen, toilet paper, hand soap,  toilet bowl cleaner and bathroom cleaner, your own plunger and toilet cleaning set, kitchen items such as dishes and cutlery, cooking items like pots and pans, dish towels, pot holders, kitchen spray cleaner, dish soap, dishwasher tabs if you have a dishwasher, trash bags for the size trash cans you purchase, a laundry hamper and laundry detergent for clothes washing. Small appliances like a coffee maker, air fryer, toaster if you need those. Kitchen items like foil, baggies, paper towels, napkins, cling wrap, plastic storage containers etc. Many items are sold in sets at stores like Target and Walmart- look for something called Bed in a Bag which will have the items you need- remember the bed size is FULL SIZE, not Twin.  Kitchen items may come in a box called something like Dorm Kitchen Essentials. There are many lists online if you search for 'College Student Dorm Essentials' or 'College Apartment Setup' 
  • Mattress covers (zippered, full encasing) are required.
  • Bonus tip: Check out the Cornell Project ReCollect sale for inexpensive secondhand items! This annual sale, formerly called Dump and Run consists of items that were donated by students moving out last year, and the proceeds go to a local non-profit. Other second-hand options include the Ithaca or Cayuga ReUse Centers, Salvation Army store, Goodwill, and Thrifty Shopper. 

Utilities & Services

  • Electricity: Already on—set up billing with NYSEG. We recommend setting your account to Auto-pay to avoid shut-offs due to non-payment. 
  • Internet: The internet is ALREADY ON in your apartment when you arrive. You provide your own router and make your payment for the year at the Rental Office by the 1st day of classes
  • Cable/Phone: Contact Spectrum or Verizon; return equipment yourself when canceling.
  • No satellite dishes allowed.

Packages

  • Deliveries usually go to rental office—please plan to pickup the same day.

  • Packages must be addressed to a registered tenant (include apartment number). Packages for non-tenants will be rejected. 

  • Do not ship items before lease start.

  • Collegetown Center tenants: collect from lobby desk.