If you ask a group of people what is the best time of year to move and why, you may get a lot of very different answers. Some people prefer spring so they can enjoy summer in the new place; others prefer summer because they don’t want to be encumbered by layers of heavy clothing during a move. Others may prefer winter or fall for various reasons.

The reality, however, is that any season and any type of weather can pose challenges on moving day. Although no one has to be bundled in layers for a summer move, moving boxes and heavy furniture can be very difficult on hot or humid days. With a little extra planning, however, there are ways to ensure that everyone stays safe and healthy throughout the move.

Remember that hydration is extremely important. Make sure everyone has access to water; some people prefer sports drinks or other beverages that replace electrolytes. If the trek from the former residence to the moving vehicle or the vehicle to the new residence will be through sunny areas, it is also important to think about sunscreen. If people perspire or cool off under a hose, the sunscreen may need to be reapplied.

If you or your moving helpers will be collecting boxes from an attic or another hot and stuffy space, ventilation is important. If there are small windows, open them; if possible, place a fan in the room, as well. Heat rises; this means an attic can become dangerously hot. This can be especially problematic when people are already overheated from exerting themselves by climbing stairs and carrying boxes or furniture.

On very hot days, some people do not feel like eating; however, people burn a lot of calories when they are doing this kind of work. It is important to eat; it may be better to offer smaller, more frequent meals. This is helpful in another way: you can ensure that your moving helpers take breaks so they do not work to the point of physical exhaustion. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of heatstroke and other heat-induced conditions and keep an eye on your crew. Make sure someone is watching out for you in this regard, as well.

Sunglasses are not just cosmetic; they protect the eyes from the sun’s damaging rays. Just remind everyone to be careful when they go into the house from outside; the sudden darkness can be disorienting. While you are taking care of everyone, remember to take care of your pet. The stress of the move combined with extreme heat can be a lot for a dog, cat, or other animal to deal with. Be advised that even the friendliest animal may become rather testy under these conditions.

Finally, if you want to relieve everyone’s stress and provide them with an opportunity to cool off, invest in an inexpensive kiddie pool or a pile of water balloons – or just get the hose. Splash water from the kiddie pool or invite everyone to participate in a water balloon toss. The comic relief and the momentary cool will be worth it.

After all the towels were ruined in the house from the water damage I began to consider my options about whether or not this home was for me. As I was contemplating moving again, I poured a glass of Chardonnay from my wonderful rented Sub-Zero fridge and tripped over a lump in the hardwood in the kitchen; a lump that I knew wasn’t there before. After finding a flashlight and three relaxing glasses of Chardonnay later I realized that it wasn’t my self-pity or the wine that made me trip but the entire hardwood was buckling beneath my feet. The damage went from the kitchen through the double doors leading to the dining room, in plain view of the front door, my house was crumbling and I felt hopeless.

In the aftermath of waiting for the contractors to fix the roof and assess what was causing the new damage in the kitchen, it was discovered that the fridge was leaking and was ruining the floors. However, that wasn’t the worst of it, I then learned that there could very well be mold eating away at the surface of my dream home. I had some decisions to make about whether or not to stay. Whether or not my patience was being tested to make me a better person or if my sanity was being tested to see how crazy I’d be to keep living there.

So up came the floors while the roof was still coming down and all I could do was sit and wait while the damage was being assessed and hope that the mold wasn’t life threatening.

Stay tuned for Part III to see what decision I made about the rental.

Part I- The Roof, The Leak and The Squirrels

For me, the nightmare rental started with something as simple as hearing squirrels outside the master bedroom window at night, during the day, in the evening… non-stop. I was living with aggressive country squirrels who didn’t care what time of day it was when they wanted to play outside my bedroom. Harmless enough… I was living in a wooded environment; I really couldn’t complain.

Then the roof started leaking. The leak was contained in the master bathroom and the landlord had a repair man on it right away… I was happy, who wouldn’t be with prompt action?

Then things started to get ugly… really ugly. The repair man said the damage was more extensive than he thought and more work had to be done to the roof. My landlord then went from friendly to annoyed and was hesitate to make the necessary repairs… so the leak happened again and again… until they let the repair man complete the repairs as necessary.

In between fighting for the necessary repairs, I learned that the repair man’s wife had “the gout”, he’d been on the run since he was fifteen from his past life and his trusty assistant had skipped town after he’d be paid the day before and because of that I may have to help and hold his ladder while he was on the roof. All of this was more than I needed to know and signed up for but I was thankful the repairs were getting done and if I had to act as Dr. Phil for a few days, then I was willing to put on a bald and slightly self-righteous mask to live in peace.

Once the repair man was on the roof things seemed to be looking up. He seemed hopeful, I seemed hopeful, the landlord seemed hopeful. The sun began to shine and all seemed right again with my dream home and the world. Then the storm came. Apparently the repair man who had been on the run since he was fifteen, whose wife had “the gout” and who told me all his troubles, left the roof open when it was sunny and didn’t think it would rain that night; but rain it did… and did… and did.

And so came the water. In the bedroom, in the closet, in the living room, down the stairs. Taking down drywall, paint and everything else in its way. I had to move my new flat screen tv, sofa, chairs, paintings and wedding gifts out of the way of this storm, coming down through my dream rental roof at 2 o’clock in the morning. I pulled all the trash cans and buckets I could find in the house, hoping to catch the water…praying to save my dream.

Coming Soon: Part II- The Aftermath, The Mold and The Kitchen

Do you remember your first adult apartment or are you still looking for it? Not the one you shared with roommates or a family member but the one you had all to yourself. The one you decorated, maxed out your budget and resources to make nice and threw your first dinner party in. Tell us about your search or memories and read someone else’s.

According to the WSJ after five years of steady insurance rates many top-tier insurance companies are raising prices or plan to. Premiums vary by state, but last year, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. says it increased homeowners rates 7.3% on average and, this year, has raised them in 18 states, including a few by more than 7%.

The increases may just be getting started according to industry insiders. Given the rising toll of natural disasters, including recent tornadoes and extreme weather in the U.S. and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March.

Before your rates go any higher assess your current plan and see if you can find a better one! Tenants Direct can help.

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