In this guide
Short answer: Before moving abroad from Gurgaon, sort everything into take, store and sell. Give up the flat unless you will be back often. Put furniture and keepsakes into month-to-month storage with a named family member allowed to request items. Keep valuables and original documents in a bank locker, and set up the monthly storage payment so it cannot lapse.
Moving abroad for work, study or family is a big shift, and the household is often the last thing people plan for. Here is a calm way to deal with it.
Step 1: Decide what happens to the flat
Rented flat: if you will not be back for long stretches, giving it up almost always makes sense. Paying rent and maintenance on an empty flat for two years adds up fast.
Owned flat: you can let it out furnished, let it out unfurnished and store your furniture, or keep it locked. Letting it unfurnished keeps your furniture safe from wear by tenants.
Step 2: Take, store or sell
| Take | Store | Sell or give away |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes for the new climate, laptop, important papers (copies), a few personal items | Furniture you love, appliances that are new, books, heirlooms, kitchen sets, festive items | Old appliances, furniture you would not buy again, duplicates |
A useful test: if you were furnishing your next Gurgaon home from scratch, would you buy this again? If not, it should not go into storage.
Step 3: Paperwork and practicalities
- Keep jewellery, cash and original documents in a bank locker, not in storage.
- Speak to a lawyer about a power of attorney if someone needs to act for you on property matters.
- Tell your bank and update your mailing address.
- Close or transfer utility connections, internet and gas.
Step 4: Set up storage for the long haul
Long-term storage is different from a few weeks between homes. A few things matter more:
- Month-to-month billing, so you can come back early or stay longer without penalties.
- An item list you can check from abroad.
- Authorised family members who can request specific items if needed.
- Payment that does not lapse. Set up a standing instruction or keep a family member responsible.
- Proper preparation: everything clean and dry, appliances defrosted and drained, furniture treated if your home had termites.
Step 5: Coming back
When you return, tell your storage company the new address and a date. Many returning NRIs move into a different flat from the one they left, which is not a problem. Delivery can go to any address in Gurgaon. Bring essentials first if the new home still needs work.
How CratoSpace helps
We store households for NRIs and people on long postings. We pick up from your door, keep goods in our CCTV-monitored, pest-managed warehouse, bill monthly and deliver back when you return. You can name family members who may request items while you are away. See long-term and NRI storage.
More questions about moving abroad
Should I keep my rented flat while I am abroad?
Only if you will be back often or for long stretches. Otherwise the rent, maintenance and risk of an empty flat usually cost far more than storing your furniture.
Can a family member take things out of storage while I am abroad?
With most storage companies, yes, if you name them in advance. They should release goods only to people you have authorised.
What should not go into long-term storage?
Jewellery, cash, passports, original property papers and anything perishable or flammable. Keep valuables and originals in a bank locker.
