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Empty living room with moving boxes.

Welcome Home: Your Essential Move-In Checklist for the Monterey Peninsula

Welcome to the Monterey Peninsula! Whether you are settling into a historic cottage in Pacific Grove, a vibrant apartment in downtown Monterey, or a quiet retreat in Carmel-by-the-Sea, we are thrilled to have you as a resident.

At Bluhm & Company, we know that moving is one of life’s most stressful events. Between packing boxes and coordinating movers, details can slip through the cracks. To ensure your transition into your new home is seamless and efficient, we have compiled this step-by-step move-in guide.

Follow these procedures to get the administrative details out of the way so you can start enjoying the coastal lifestyle immediately.

1. Secure Your Renters Insurance

Before you unpack your first box, protecting your personal property is a priority. While the property owner carries insurance on the building itself, that policy does not cover your personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing) or liability.

  • Requirement: Proof of renters insurance is required prior to key pickup.
  • What to do: Contact an insurance provider to set up a policy that begins on your lease start date. Include $500,000 liability coverage and name “Bluhm & Company” as an additional interest on the policy.
  • Tip: If you have auto insurance, bundle your renters policy with it to often save money on premiums.

2. Connect Your Utilities

Nobody wants to spend their first night in a new home in the dark. Utility setup times can vary in Monterey County, so we recommend contacting providers at least 5 business days before your move-in date.

Please refer to your specific lease agreement to see which utilities are your responsibility. Common providers in our area include:

  • Electricity/Gas: PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric)
  • Water: California American Water (Cal Am) or Marina Coast Water District
  • Trash: GreenWaste Recovery or Monterey City Disposal

Note: Failure to switch utilities into your name by the lease start date may result in a disruption of service or administrative fees.

3. Prepare Your Initial Payment

To pick up your keys, you must pay the initial move-in funds (usually the first month’s rent and the security deposit) in advance. Check your lease and follow the directions given to provide your payment in a timely manner.

Important: For this first payment, we cannot accept personal checks or online payments. You must provide “Certified Funds.” This means bringing:

  • A Cashier’s Check; or
  • A Money Order.
  • Note: we cannot except cash!

Please make these payable to Bluhm & Company. Once you are settled in, you will be able to use more convenient payment methods for future rent.

4. Set Up Your Tenant Portal

We utilize top-tier property management technology to make your life easier. During the leasing process, you should receive an activation link for your Tenant Portal.

Setting this up immediately allows you to:

  • Set up auto-pay for future rent (never worry about late fees again).
  • Submit maintenance requests 24/7.
  • View your lease documents and payment history.
  • Upload your proof of renter’s insurance

5. Key Pickup Day

The big day is here! Key pickup is conducted at our main office during standard business hours. Please bring a government issued photo ID. Ensure all lease documents have been electronically signed by all parties, you have uploaded your renter’s insurance to your tenant portal and that you have paid your move in costs before arriving.

Prior to arriving, please ensure…

  • All lease documents have been electronically signed by all parties
  • You have already paid your move-in costs via check or money order
  • You have uploaded your renter’s insurance documentation to your tenant portal

What to bring with you:

  • Valid Government-issued Photo ID.

6. The “Move-In Condition” Sheet

When you receive your keys, you will also be provided with a Move-In Condition Sheet (or Inventory & Condition Form). This is one of the most important documents for protecting your security deposit.

Do not fill this out immediately. We want you to live in the property for a few days to truly test the systems.

  • The Timeline: Please return this sheet to us within 7 days (one week) of your move-in.
  • The Goal: Walk through the home and note any pre-existing cosmetic issues (e.g., a scratch on the hardwood floor, a bent screen, a nail hole in the wall).
  • Why it matters: This document establishes the baseline condition of the home. When you eventually move out, we compare the property condition against this specific sheet.

We Are Here to Help

We take pride in managing some of the finest rental properties on the Monterey Peninsula. Our goal is to provide you with a safe, comfortable, and well-maintained home.

If you have any questions regarding these steps or need contact information for specific local utility providers, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.

Ready to get started? Log in to your Tenant Portal to review your lease specifics.