There are various benefits to preparing a detailed home inventory before you are moving abroad from the United Arab Emirates. It is helpful as a checklist to ensure you have received all your belongings – in proper condition – upon arrival. You know exactly what items you had at origin and what items you should have at destination. It can also nudge you to check your homeowners’ insurance to ensure you still have appropriate coverage for your personal belongings.
To create a proper home inventory, it requires a bit more effort than simply walking around your home with a pen and paper. You may want to document exactly what you own, approximate values and where it goes to. You may also want to record the condition of items that have existing damage or that need special care.
How to get started
Before you start, purge all those items that won’t be moving with you. You can create a pen-and-paper inventory as you walk through all the single rooms in your house or you might prefer an electronic inventory, using either an xls or home inventory software. Take photos or videos of your valuables, fragile items and of your electronic devices. Also prepare scans or photograph important receipts. Store your files and receipts with the home inventory so everything’s in one place and easy to retrieve.
Create your own list
Perform your inventory in an orderly way, walking through each room and each level. Make sure your list is neat and clear.
- First, copy important documents and store them separately from your originals to keep them safe in case the originals are lost or damaged. Consider backing up your electronic files onto an external device.
- Photograph or videotape your valuables (if desired).
- Make a list of your items. At the very least, your inventory list should have the date and the following columns:
- Item
- Value
- Room
- Prepare documentation of your items (an estimate, the actual price or the appraisal value). If you need to make a claim to your home insurance company or to your movers, you’ll know the value of each item.
- If you note the room it will help you place the items in your new home more easily.
- Always cover one room at a time so your list remains organized and clear. Open drawers and cabinets. One-room-at-a-time is also a good way to pack when you are ready for that.
- Open your jewelry boxes, toolboxes and other storage bins to record everything that is valuable inside.
- Also include any larger appliances on your inventory list and note the brand, model and serial number.
How to secure your inventory list
Make a few copies immediately after completion and store those in different places for easy reference as needed. Give one copy to a relative or to a close friend in case your copy is lost during the move or damaged in case of flood or fire in your home. Another good option is to store your home inventory in your safe deposit box. On the day of your move, we recommend to take the packing list in your hand luggage so that you’ll have it available when you’re ready to unpack in your new home.
This home inventory documentation will be useful in the unlikely event that there are lost or damaged items. Crown Relocations is proud to have one of the highest-rated records for claim-free relocations in the moving industry. In addition, our CrownCare Protection Programs provide complete and comprehensive coverage of your belongings so you can enjoy peace of mind.