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Moving house checklist

 

Moving house can be stressful, so take the hassle out of moving day with our handy checklist. 
We have tips on packing, who to notify and what you need to change. 

Make sure you have everything in place for moving home:

Before you move

With the big day fast approaching, it can seem like there’s a mountain of tasks to get through. Here are some tips on what to think about while you’re getting ready to move.

Packing

It always takes longer than you think, so try to start as soon as you can. Save any boxes from deliveries or the supermarket to use for your packing.

Get organised with your packing to make unpacking easier at the other end. Label up your boxes by room name – so you can find your stuff and know where it goes.

Who to notify you’re moving house

You’ll need to notify a range of companies and update addresses, cancel bills or close accounts. Here are some of the services and people you should contact:

  • Energy, water and internet providers. If you can’t swap them over to your new address, make sure you close any accounts with your utility providers.
  • DVLA. Change the address on your driver’s licence.
  • Local councils. Update your council tax information and register on a new electoral roll for your new address.
  • Employer and pension provider. Make sure your employer and pension provider have your new address.
  • Banks, lenders and building societies. Update your details for your bank or building society.
  • Television licence. Fill out the TV licencing online form to confirm whether you’ll need a TV licence at your new home.
  • Insurance. Update your home insurance details if you’re switching it over. If not, cancel your cover and arrange a new provider.

Updating addresses

You also need to give your new address to lots of other people, including:

  • Family and friends.
  • Online subscription services.
  • Online retailers and grocery delivery services.
  • Your bank or building society; here’s how you can update us.

For a small fee, you can have your post forwarded to your new address through the Post Office’s redirection service.

Doctors and dentists

Don’t forget to register your details with the following:

  • Doctors
  • Dentist
  • Optician
  • Vet.

Moving day

The day is finally here. Along with loading your furniture and boxes, there are still a few things you should think about before leaving your old home behind.

Final checks

Check one last time to make sure you’ve not left anything important behind. Don’t forget to double check you’ve switched off everything, locked up and taken final meter readings.

Clean up

No one wants to move into a dirty home. Make sure you leave it clean and tidy, ready for its new owners.

Book care for kids and pets

If you’d rather not manage excitable kids and pets on moving day, consider asking family and friends if they’d be happy to take them for a few hours.

Keep essentials separate

Make sure you keep essentials like car keys, wallets and phone chargers separate, so you can find them easily when you arrive.

You don’t want to run out of phone battery before you can order a celebratory takeaway.

It’s also worth having a bag of basics, so you can at least have a cuppa before you start unpacking.

Helpful reminders

Create a helpful sheet for the person you’ve sold your house to with useful information. Such as, where to find the meters and when the bins go out.

Don’t forget to hand over all the keys and any paperwork to the new owners of your old home.

After you've moved

Once you’ve moved and unpacked, you’re well on your way to settling in. There’s still a few things to consider though:

Changing the locks. Just to be on the safe side, consider getting new locks fitted on your doors and windows and having a spare set of keys cut.

Checking the property. Check your new home for leaks or damages that weren’t in the original survey.

Testing plugs and utilities. Double check all the plugs, the boiler and taps are working as they should.

Checking and submitting meter readings. Check your meter and send the latest readings with your new provider. This is so you’re not charged for power you’ve not used.

Introduce yourself. Pop round to the neighbours and say hello.

Recycle your boxes. If you don’t need your moving boxes anymore, consider recycling them, or donating them to someone else.

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Are you getting ready to take your first step on the property ladder?

We're here to offer guidance along each step of your journey, to make it as simple as possible.

First-time buyer help hub