Practical advice for moving to another Indian city
Use these independent checklists before you rent, buy, pack or pay. They are designed to help you ask better questions; they do not replace an in-person inspection or professional advice.
Checklist before relocating to another city
Begin with a written budget covering travel, deposit, brokerage, packing, transport, temporary accommodation and basic replacements. Keep an emergency amount separate. Before committing to a home, compare the daily commute, public transport, water supply, power backup, mobile coverage, nearby healthcare and grocery access.
Four weeks before moving
Give notice under your existing rental agreement and record the condition of the property.
Sort belongings into move, sell, donate and recycle groups.
Request written quotes from at least three movers using the same item inventory.
Check whether your employer, society or landlord requires gate passes or moving-hour approval.
During the final week
Photograph valuable items and note serial numbers.
Carry identity documents, medicines, chargers and one change of clothes yourself.
Update banks and important services only through their official apps or websites.
Take meter readings, return keys against acknowledgement and keep payment receipts.
How to safely buy used furniture
Inspect furniture in daylight. Sit on chairs and sofas, open every drawer and check joints by applying gentle pressure. Look beneath upholstery and inside corners for moisture, mould, powder from wood-boring insects or dark pest marks. A strong perfume can sometimes mask dampness or smoke.
Measure the item, lifts, staircases and both doorways before paying. Ask why it is being sold, its approximate age, repair history and whether it can be dismantled. Compare the asking price with a similar new item after adding transport and repair costs. Do not treat a brand label as proof of authenticity or condition.
Agree in writing on the item, final price, pickup time and who bears loading damage. Pay after inspection and record the transaction reference. For high-value furniture, ask for the original invoice or other reasonable ownership evidence.
Used appliance inspection checklist
Ask for the model number, purchase date, invoice, warranty status, repair history and reason for sale. Search the model to learn its normal power requirement and whether replacement parts remain available. Reject altered plugs, exposed wiring, burning smells, heavy rust or water around electrical parts.
Refrigerator: run it long enough to confirm cooling, compressor cycling, door seals and unusual noise.
Washing machine: test filling, agitation, draining and spinning with water.
Air conditioner: check cooling, remote operation, drainage and whether installation material is included.
Television or monitor: test every input, speakers, remote and a plain screen for lines or dead areas.
Confirm the exact unit shown in the listing is the unit collected. Photograph its condition and serial number, and use a qualified technician when electrical safety is uncertain.
How to identify fake rental advertisements
Be cautious when the rent is far below comparable homes, the advertiser refuses a visit, images appear copied, or you are pressured to transfer a token immediately. A story about an owner being abroad is not proof of fraud, but it is a reason to verify more carefully.
Visit the property and confirm the door, building and neighbourhood match the advertisement.
Speak with the owner or authorised broker and verify identity and authority to rent.
Check ownership or authorisation documents without retaining unnecessary personal copies.
Read the agreement, deposit refund terms, maintenance charges and inventory before paying.
Never scan a QR code or enter a UPI PIN to receive money.
Report copied photos, false addresses, advance-fee demands and impersonation through the listing's Report option.
Packing and moving cost guide
A moving quote usually depends on volume and weight, distance, floor and lift access, packing material, dismantling, labour, vehicle size, tolls, insurance, storage and the moving date. Weekend, month-end and urgent bookings can cost more. A low headline quote may exclude taxes, unloading or appliance installation.
Create one inventory with approximate dimensions and share it with every mover. Ask each company for an itemised written quote stating included services, exclusions, cancellation terms, damage process and final payment timing. Confirm whether insurance is transit insurance or a broader cover, and understand its declared-value limits.
Reduce cost by selling bulky low-value items, moving outside peak dates, packing non-fragile goods yourself and reserving lifts in advance. Do not choose solely on price: identity, reviews, office details, vehicle information and a written receipt matter.
Safe UPI practices when buying from strangers
A UPI PIN is used to authorise money leaving your account. You do not need to enter it to receive money. Read the payee name, amount and transaction type on the bank or UPI app before approving anything. A collect request is a request for you to pay.
Inspect the item first and initiate payment yourself from the official app.
Do not install screen-sharing apps or follow instructions from an unknown caller.
Do not rely on payment screenshots; confirm the credit inside your own bank or UPI app.
Avoid links or QR codes sent as a condition for receiving a refund.
For a large payment, consider a small verified test transaction and keep the receipt.
If something goes wrong, contact your bank through its official channel immediately, preserve chats and transaction details, and report suspected cyber fraud through India's official cybercrime reporting channels.