Leaving the house you grew up in is mostly a money and logistics problem, and both are easier when you work them in order. This guide starts with the cap Nevada puts on deposits, walks through what to bring and what to leave, and shows when a small hired crew is cheaper in time and effort than asking five friends to carry a dresser.
Start with the deposit rule
Nevada's landlord and tenant chapter, NRS 118A, says a landlord may not demand or receive a deposit, bond or combination of both, including last month's rent, that adds up to more than three months of periodic rent. A landlord who asks for more than that is asking for more than the statute allows, so read the lease line before you sign.
Add the deposit to your first month's rent and you have the real cost of the front door. Many first-time renters budget for the rent and forget the deposit, which is why a lease that looks affordable on a monthly basis can still stall a move-out date.
Decide what actually leaves with you
Walk your bedroom and the garage with a notepad. Your own clothes, bedding, electronics and books are yours to take. Anything that belongs to the household, such as the good couch or the kitchen set, needs a conversation first, because your parents may want it to stay.
Sort what you own into three piles: moves with you now, stays at home for later, and goes to donation. A smaller load changes the whole day, and it shortens everything that follows.
- Bring: clothing, bedding, towels, school or work gear, a lamp, a few kitchen basics.
- Leave for now: bulky furniture you will outgrow, seasonal items, keepsakes you have no room for.
- Buy new: a mattress protector, a shower curtain, cleaning supplies, a power strip.
Pack it yourself, in the right boxes
Books and kitchen items go in small boxes because they get heavy fast; clothing and bedding go in large ones. O'Brien's sells moving boxes and supplies at the Sparks office, and the free in-home estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes that are yours to keep. See boxes and supplies for what the counter carries.
Label each box with its room and one word about the contents. The first night in a new place goes better with a box you can find: sheets, a towel, a phone charger and a toothbrush. The guide to a first-night box has the full list.
When a crew is worth calling
A mattress, a dresser, a desk and a couch are the pieces that hurt backs and scrape walls. A small local move with a crew is a short job for professionals, and the estimate is free. A phone ballpark, an online request or an in-home estimate are the three ways to get a number, so you can pick the one that fits how sure you are of the move date. Start at local moving or call 775-359-6683.
Set up the basics before move day
Line up electricity, internet and renter's insurance for the start date on the lease, not the date you hand in the keys. The utilities guide and the change-of-address checklist cover the order. Update your driver's license address as well; Nevada asks new residents to do it within 30 days, and the same habit helps with a move inside the state.