Moving to Harford County in Winter: Your Checklist

by Josh Tessier

If you're moving to Harford County in winter, do these first: set up trash service with a private hauler (the county does not pick up trash), get your Maryland driver's license and title and register your car within 60 days, register your kids for school any time of year, and get your new home ready for cold weather before move-in day.

Snow, ice and short days add a few steps to a winter move. Here's a checklist.

1. Set up trash and recycling

This one surprises people. Harford County does not collect trash. You hire a private hauler. The county says your trash collector also collects your recycling.

The county's hauler list includes:

Casella (formerly GFL): 410-457-0404
Harford County Trash Services: 443-841-6253

If you want to use a different company, call the county at 410-638-3018 first.

If you're moving inside Bel Air, Aberdeen or Havre de Grace town limits, check with your town about trash service.

2. Handle the MVA within 60 days

The Maryland MVA says new residents have 60 days to:

Get a Maryland driver's license (ask MVA about ID-card options if you don't drive)
Title and register your car in Maryland

To title and register, the MVA says you need a valid Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate and Maryland insurance information. Inspections must be done at an authorized Maryland inspection station.

3. Register your kids for school

Harford County Public Schools lets you register any time of year. Per HCPS:

Use the School Locator to find your attendance area.
Register online first.
Call the school to finish the registration.
You must live in the attendance area of the school you enroll in.

4. Get your new home ready for cold

Do this before the boxes show up:

Get the furnace checked. See my furnace tune-up guide.
Find the main water shutoff. And learn how to keep your pipes from freezing.
Buy salt and a shovel. Have them before move-in day, not after the first storm.
Get a plan for outages. Here's my power outage guide.
Test smoke and CO alarms.

For a full list, see winter home maintenance in Harford County.

5. Tips for moving day in winter

Watch the forecast and have a backup day.
Shovel and salt the walk and driveway the night before.
Lay down cardboard or old rugs inside the door to protect floors.
Turn the heat on in the new place the day before.
Move early in the day. Winter days are short.
Pack a first-night box: sheets, towels, chargers, meds, coffee and a flashlight.

6. Update your address

Forward your mail with USPS, and update your bank, cards and online stores. If you're moving near the holidays, check my holiday shipping deadlines so gifts don't go to your old place.

Still looking for the right home?

Check my latest Harford County market update, or read about living in Forest Hill. Then call or text me. I've been licensed since 2011, and my team, the Lee Tessier Team, has sold 5,900+ homes.

FAQ

Does Harford County pick up trash?

No. Harford County does not collect trash. You hire a private hauler. The county's list includes Casella and Harford County Trash Services. Call 410-638-3018 about any other company.

How long do I have to get a Maryland license after moving?

The Maryland MVA says new residents have 60 days to get a Maryland driver's license and to title and register their vehicle.

What do I need to register my car in Maryland?

A valid Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate and Maryland insurance information, plus your title and ID. Check the MVA site for the full list.

Can I register my kids for school in the middle of the year?

Yes. Harford County Public Schools says students can be registered at any time. Use the School Locator, register online, then call the school.

How do I plan a winter move?

Watch the forecast and pick a backup day, shovel and salt walkways the night before, protect floors, turn the heat on in the new home the day before, and move early in the day.

What should I do first in my new Harford County home in winter?

Set up trash service, get the furnace checked, find the main water shutoff, buy salt and a shovel, and test smoke and CO alarms.

About the author: Josh Tessier is a Harford County REALTOR® with the Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty, based in Bel Air. He has been licensed in real estate since 2011, and the Lee Tessier Team has sold 5,900+ homes. He lives in Harford County and is raising his family here. Call or text (443) 617-2099.

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Harford County real estate agent Josh Tessier — *Josh Tessier, REALTOR® with the Lee Tessier Team. Call or text (443) 617-2099.*

Watch more on my YouTube channel: Josh Talks Harford. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Header photo: “MD24 in the Winter” by Bluesnote, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken on MD 24 in Bel Air South, Harford County. Cropped, with text added.