Moving checklist
Below is a schedule of tasks to carry out before your move.
When you decide to move:
- Before putting your home for sale, you will need a Home Information Pack. Commission a HIP here
- Decide what type of mortgage you want . Our broker works with hundreds of mortgage companies to find you the best deal.
- Appoint a solicitor. Use our free service to arrange a selection of quotes from conveyancing solicitors.
- Find a surveyor. Use our free service to arrange a selection of quotes from chartered surveyors.
- Find a removal company. Use our free service to arrange a selection of quotes from removals companies.
- Create a file for documenting all moving papers and receipts.
Two months before you move (or six weeks before exchange)
- Draw up a list of all your main possessions.
- Decide which possessions you are taking to your new home, and where you will put the larger items. A floor plan of your new home may help with this. If you have possessions you don't intend taking with you to your new home, consider auctioning them on www.ebay.co.uk
- Check whether your insurance policy will cover your move. If not, your removal company should be able to provide cover. .
- Research local schools.
- Arrange to transfer your children's school records.
Six weeks before you move (or one month before exchange)
- Get hold of a local paper or check the local area's websites to familiarise yourself with local government, community, social news and activities.
- Clean out cupboards.
- If relocating due to a job move, check what costs your employer will cover.
One month before (or once you've exchanged)
- Finalise your move date so that you can start making firm bookings for removal firms, inform utilities etc.
- Appoint a removal firm.
- Find out if they offer other services, like insurance, storage, and cleaning.
- Remember that it may be possible to negotiate a discount with your removal company if you avoid peak moving times, like Bank Holidays, term breaks, and Fridays.
- Start moving possessions into storage (if applicable).
- Arrange for new house to be cleaned (inside cupboards, walls & carpets etc.) in between the previous occupiers moving out and you moving in.
- Book carpet fitters to replace any carpets beyond repair.
- Service your car and make travel plans.
- Book hotel accommodation if necessary.
- Arrange for childcare and pet care on moving day.
- Send out change of address cards or letters to:-
Relatives and friends. Design your own change of address cards online. If you send in your electronic address book they will even post them for you too.
The Royal Mail offers a free address change notification service with all your favourite companies.
Banks.
Charge cards.
Religious organisations.
Doctors/dentist.
Insurance providers (home, contents & life) / solicitor / stockbroker.
Magazine subscriptions.
Schools.
Post office.
Inland Revenue / DSS / your union.
Many utilities require at least two working days' notice. Be sure to arrange reconnection at your new home.
BT: call 0800 800 123 at least 2 weeks before your move.
Notify your mobile phone provider.
Gas. Arrange a final reading at your old house and reconnection at your new one. Check for refunds due to you. When arranging supply at your new home consider competitive gas suppliers. Check the Ofgas website for details of suppliers in your area.
Electricity. Arrange a final reading at your old house and reconnection at your new one. Check for refunds due to you. When arranging supply at your new home consider competitive electricity suppliers. Check the Offer website for details of suppliers in your area.
Water. Check for refunds due to you.
Find out whether you can get Cable TV.
TV licence
Arrange for the Post office to have post forwarded from previous address.
If you want to have your name removed from unsolicited mail databases to stop people sending junk mail to either your new or old address, write to The Mailing Preference Service, DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS or call 0845 703 4599 for an application form.
Medical services: register with a new doctor/dentist as soon as possible, and request any records/test results to be sent to your new doctor. Don't forget to transfer your pet's records to a new vet. Find doctors & dentists in your new area.
Optician.
Vet.
Insurance companies or agents.
Check your policies to make sure they still suit your needs.
House contents insurance. Check whether you can get a refund on any unused existing policy.
Life insurance/pensions.
Vehicle registration. Complete the appropriate changes section on your registration document and return it to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR Telephone: 0870 2400010.
Driving Licence. Complete Section 1 of your paper licence or the paper counterpart (D740) and your photocard licence and return them both to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BN Telephone: 0870 2400009.
Car insurance.
Premium Bonds. To change the address on the Premium Bonds, the holder(s) must complete and return their holders card or write to Premium Bonds, National Savings and Investments, Blackpool, FY3 9YP. Fill in the form with your holder card, or notify the Bonds and Stock Office. Your post office will supply an addressed envelope.
Local bank. Ask them to tell you which branch is nearest your new address.
Credit card companies.
Save As You Earn/National Savings Certificates Address: Savings Certificate and SAYE Office Milburn Gate House, Durham, DH99 1NS.
Passport office.
Pack non-essential items and clothing.
Start running down freezer contents.
Clear the loft.
Find out new school dress codes and order uniform(s) if required.
Find out about Cubs / Scouts / Brownies / Girl Guides etc. groups in your new area.
Two weeks before
- Check you have adequate prescription medicines to cover the moving period.
- Safely dispose of all flammables e.g. Paints, Gas Bottles, Cleaning Fluids and Oils.
- If your removal company is not making arrangements for you, book people to carry out services e.g. Removing light fittings, House Cleaning and dismantling of Hi Fi / Computer / Printers etc. and TV / satellite equipment. If doing it yourself, don't forget to insert transit screws where necessary.
- Cancel local deliveries and services, for example newspapers, gardener, cleaner, milk delivery, fuel or oil.
- Prepare a "Moving Day Survival Kit": all the vital things that you will need on the day of your move, for example: sheets, towels, toiletries, phone, alarm clock, change of clothes, a torch, scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, kettle, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone book, masking and/or PVC tape, bin liners, shelf liner, aspirin or ibuprofen, some basic tools, a bottle of bubbly & glasses.
One week before
- Put your documents in a safe place
- Don't box important papers like passports and driving licences, jewellery and money: keep them with you during the move. Keep all moving-related documents together.
- Finish packing.
- Make sure all boxes are properly labelled (I.e. the room they're going in to in your new home).
- Prepare detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company.
- Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes.
- Take pets to the vet and get copies of their records.
- Give away plants not being moved.
- Make arrangements to pay for your move.
- Clean outdoor equipment and toys, drain any fuel from your lawn-mower and other machinery and ensure that water is drained from hoses.
- Defrost refrigerator and freezer. Make sure they are completely dry before moving to avoid mildew.
- Wash and dry all linen and clothing.
- Prepare your washing machine for moving: disconnect power and water, check if Transit Bolts need to be fitted.
- Check through your medicine cabinet and dispose of unwanted drugs, via your chemist if necessary.
- If your clothing is to be transported on hangers in a clothing carton, ensure all clothing is securely fastened on the hanger and that they are all facing the same way.
The day before
- Walk through your house one last time to make sure everything is accounted for.
- Strip the beds.
- Keep linens in a box that travels with you, so you can use them the first night.
- Make sure you have the keys to your new home, or have arranged to collect them.
The day of the move
- Record all utility meter readings (gas, electricity, and water).
- Stay until your movers have finished.
- Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything.
- Before leaving ckeck that all windows are secure and water, gas and electricity supplies are switched off. Keys, together with any documents relating to the property or equipment remaining at the house, should be left at a nominated point.
- You may be asked to sign a packing inventory/list: check carefully to ensure that you are happy with the content. You will be asked to check and sign it again at delivery.
- Give movers the directions to your new home, and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move.
In your new home
- Make sure you are present when the removal crew arrives so you can guide them around the house confirming what is to be moved and any special instructions.
- Check the unloading of your items and account for each one on your packing inventory. Check carefully for any damaged or missing items.
- Place moving and other important documents in a safe place.
- Go to the post office and collect held mail.
After you're in
Start with the essentials:
- Start cleaning and make the beds.
- Plug in your telephones, answering machine and large appliances.
- Unpack your 'survival kit'.
- Let older children organise their own rooms.
- Settle younger children in one room with some toys and treats.
- If possible, keep pets away until you are settled in.
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