The Ultimate ASU Off-Campus Move-In Checklist: Everything Sun Devils Need for Their First Apartment

ASU students moving into their first Tempe apartment need to complete seven categories of tasks before and during move-in day: document the unit’s condition, activate utilities, secure renter’s insurance, set up internet service, confirm lease terms, purchase essential furnishings, and handle building-specific administrative requirements. First-time renters near Arizona State University frequently overlook documentation and utility timing, which causes the most common and expensive problems. This checklist addresses every category in priority order so Sun Devils move into their Tempe apartments without preventable surprises.

TL;DR: Quick Answer

• Photograph every inch of your Tempe apartment before unpacking and email the photos to your landlord the same day.
• Activate APS or SRP electricity service in your name at least three business days before move-in to avoid gaps in service.
• Most Tempe landlords require renter’s insurance proof before handing over keys; purchase it the day before move-in.
• Cox Communications is the primary internet provider in Tempe; schedule installation 1 to 2 weeks before move-in.
• Find My Place helps ASU students identify move-in requirements specific to their Tempe apartment complex before signing.

Before Move-In Day: Administrative and Logistical Preparation

These tasks should be completed at least one week before your move-in date. Leaving them until move-in day creates unnecessary stress and potential service gaps.

Confirm your move-in date and time in writing. Some Tempe buildings have scheduled move-in windows. Arriving outside your window creates delays. Confirm by email and keep the confirmation.

Set up your electricity account. APS and SRP serve different parts of Tempe. Contact your landlord or check your lease to determine which utility serves your building. Call the provider and establish service in your name to begin on your move-in date. Do this at least three business days early. Service gaps during Arizona summers are genuinely miserable.

Purchase renter’s insurance. Most Tempe landlords require proof of coverage before handing over keys. Lemonade, State Farm, and USAA offer policies starting at $10 to $20 monthly with same-day or next-day activation. If your parents have homeowner’s insurance, call first to check if you’re covered as a dependent.

Schedule internet installation. Cox Communications dominates Tempe and requires scheduled installation appointments. Availability fills quickly at semester starts. Schedule your installation 1 to 2 weeks before move-in. Internet-only plans run $45 to $65 monthly.

Set up a renter’s account for water if billed separately. Some Tempe landlords bill water directly. Others pay it as part of building-wide service. Confirm your lease terms and establish a water account if required.

Confirm parking arrangements. Parking assignments near ASU campus are specific. Confirm your spot number, any parking permit requirements, and guest parking policies before move-in day.

Move-In Day: Documentation Before Anything Else

Do not unpack before documenting. This is the most commonly skipped step and the most frequently regretted one.

Walk the empty unit first. Before bringing in a single box, walk every room. Open every cabinet. Test every appliance. Run every faucet. Flush every toilet. Check every light switch.

Photograph everything. Walls, floors, ceilings, appliances, windows, doors, closets, bathroom grout, cabinet interiors, blinds, and any existing marks or damage. Hundreds of photos. Thousands, if your phone allows.

Video walk-through for backup. Record a continuous video walking through the unit while narrating what you see. “I’m in the kitchen. There’s a scratch on the inside of the cabinet door under the sink.” This creates a timestamped, narrated record.

Complete the move-in inspection form. Most Tempe landlords provide one. Fill it out accurately. Note every imperfection. Do not minimize or skip items you observe.

Email documentation to your landlord the same day. Subject line: “Move-In Condition Documentation – [Your Name] – [Unit Number] – [Date].” Attach your photos. Send it. Keep the sent email with its timestamp. This single action prevents the majority of security deposit disputes.

Move-In Day: Building and Unit Setup

Once documentation is complete, begin unit setup in this order.

Test all appliances. Stove burners, oven, refrigerator temperature, dishwasher cycle, microwave, washer and dryer if included. Note any malfunctions in writing and report to your landlord immediately.

Locate the circuit breaker. Know where it is. Know which breakers control which rooms. This is essential information when something stops working.

Locate water shut-off valves. Under sinks and behind toilets. If a pipe leaks, you need to shut off water immediately. Knowing where to go prevents water damage.

Change your address. USPS mail forwarding, bank accounts, insurance policies, subscriptions, and your ASU student records. Do this within the first week.

Get your keys copied if permitted. Check your lease for key duplication policies. Some Tempe landlords restrict this. Copy only if authorized.

Essential Items for Your First Tempe Apartment

First-time renters frequently underestimate what basic living requires. These categories cover the necessities.

Bedroom: Bed frame or platform, mattress, pillows, sheets (Tempe heat makes lightweight materials essential), mattress protector, blackout curtains (Arizona sun is intense at any hour), hangers.

Bathroom: Shower curtain and rings, bath mat, toilet brush, cleaning supplies, soap dispenser, toilet paper for the first week.

Kitchen: Plates, bowls, cups, silverware, at least one pot and one pan, cooking oil, basic spices, dish soap, sponges, a dish rack, and a few food staples.

Living area: Whatever seating you can afford, a lamp if the unit lacks adequate lighting, basic cleaning supplies including a mop or Swiffer for Tempe’s dusty floors.

Cleaning supplies: Tempe apartments accumulate dust quickly due to desert conditions. A vacuum or Swiffer, all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and paper towels are immediate necessities.

Arizona-Specific Move-In Considerations for ASU Students

Scorpion awareness. Scorpions are real in Tempe. They are not common in well-maintained apartment buildings, but they enter through gaps in doors and windows. Seal door bottoms with weather stripping if you notice gaps. Shake shoes before putting them on, particularly for the first few months.

Sun protection for belongings. Arizona sun fades and warps furniture exposed to direct light. Use curtains or blinds on west and south-facing windows where sunlight is most intense.

First Arizona summer electricity bill. Your first summer electricity bill will likely be the highest utility bill you’ve ever seen. June and July in Tempe are genuinely hot. Set your thermostat to 78 to 80 degrees when you are home and 82 to 85 when away to manage costs. Avoid 72 degrees unless you have a very high electricity budget.

Find My Place helps ASU Sun Devils identify Tempe apartments that match their move-in timeline and budget near Arizona State University’s campus, making the search portion of this process significantly more efficient before checklist items begin.