Before moving in, confirm your arrival time with your landlord, bring your booking confirmation, and know how to use the 24-hour safety period if anything doesn’t match the listing.
Before move-in day
A few days before you’re due to arrive, reach out to your landlord through Uniplaces to confirm your arrival time. Don’t assume a time — coordinate it directly. Most landlords are flexible, but they need to know when to expect you, especially if they need to hand over keys in person.
Make sure you have these ready before you travel:
- Your Uniplaces booking confirmation (accessible from your Personal Dashboard)
- A valid passport or ID
- Any documents your landlord requested — proof of enrolment, tax number, etc.
- The landlord’s phone number, which you received in your booking confirmation email
What to check when you arrive
When you arrive at the property, take a few minutes to check the condition of everything before settling in. This is important — it protects you during the 24-hour safety period.
Walk through the property and check:
- Room type and size — does it match the listing photos and description?
- Furniture and appliances — is everything listed actually there and working?
- Bathroom — private or shared, as stated on the listing?
- Common areas — in the condition described?
- Any pre-existing damage — marks on walls, broken fixtures, worn furniture
Document everything with photos or short videos as soon as you arrive — even if everything looks fine. This creates a record of the property’s condition at move-in that protects you at move-out.
The 24-hour safety period — how and when to use it
From the moment you move in, you have 24 hours to report any issues to Uniplaces before the landlord receives their payment. If the property doesn’t match the listing in any significant way, act within this window.
Contact the Uniplaces support team immediately if you find a problem — don’t wait to see if it gets resolved on its own. Share your photos or videos as evidence. Uniplaces will investigate, contact the landlord, and withhold payment until the issue is resolved.
See What Is the Uniplaces 24-Hour Safety Period? for the full details on what’s covered and how to activate it.
Setting up utilities and internet
If your listing includes bills — electricity, water and internet — these are managed by the landlord or property operator and should be active when you arrive. If anything isn’t working on move-in day, contact your landlord directly first.
If bills are not included in your rent, you’ll need to set up utilities yourself. Ask your landlord for the current provider details and the process for transferring accounts into your name. In some countries, this requires your local tax number (NIF, NIE, Codice Fiscale).
Getting to know your neighbourhood
Once you’ve settled in, take some time to explore. Find your nearest supermarket, pharmacy and public transport stops. In cities like Lisbon, Madrid or Berlin, most areas have excellent public transport links — download the local transit app before you arrive to make navigating easier from day one.
If you’re an Erasmus student, your university’s international office is also a great resource for practical settling-in advice specific to your city.
What to do if something is wrong
If you find a problem at move-in, follow these steps in order:
- Document it with photos or video immediately
- Contact Uniplaces support within the 24-hour safety period
- Do not transfer any additional payments to the landlord while the issue is unresolved
See I Have a Problem at Move-In — What Should I Do? for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
What if the landlord isn’t available on move-in day?
Contact the landlord through Uniplaces as soon as possible. If you can’t reach them and cannot access the property, contact Uniplaces support immediately — this is a serious issue and the team will intervene on your behalf.
What if I arrive and the property is not clean or ready?
This counts as a move-in problem. Document the condition with photos and report it to Uniplaces support within your 24-hour safety period. The support team will contact the landlord and work to resolve the situation before releasing payment.
Can I move in earlier than my confirmed date?
Only if the landlord agrees. Contact your landlord in advance to request an early move-in — this is entirely at their discretion. If they agree, confirm the arrangement through Uniplaces so it’s on record.
What if I lose my booking confirmation email?
All your booking details are available in your Personal Dashboard at any time. Log in to Uniplaces, go to your Personal Dashboard and select your booking to find the landlord’s contact details, property address and move-in information.
Ready to find your accommodation?
Search rooms and apartments →