MAKE A LIST OF PEOPLE YOU NEED TO NOTIFY
Think of all the people and organisations who call on you or send you post, and let them know you're moving.
INFORM YOUR LANDLORD OR PROPERTY OWNER
If you're renting a property, make sure you write to your landlord or owner to let them know when you are planning on moving.
NOTIFY UTILITY PROVIDERS AND SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
For all utility bills, as well as any subscription services such as magazines or food parcels, you should be proactive and change your address with the service provider directly.
RE-REGISTER TO VOTE FROM YOUR NEW ADDRESS
Re-registering to vote from your new address is worth doing to ensure your details on the electoral register are up to date. It isn't difficult to do, and you can amend your registered voting address online on the Government's website.
ARRANGE FOR YOUR MAIL TO BE REDIRECTED AT THE POST OFFICE
While you may have already changed your address with your utility and service providers, there will still be plenty of databases where you are down as your old address. A charge will be incurred for this service but it acts as a backup plan to receive mail from those who don't know you’ve changed addresses.
CHANGE YOUR TV LICENCE ADDRESS
Your TV Licence does not automatically change when you move house, so you should notify them of your change of address or risk having to pay a fine of up to £1,000.
FIND OUT WHAT PACKING MATERIALS YOUR REMOVALS FIRM SUPPLIES
Speak to your removal company as early as you can to see what type of packing materials they will provide you. It is recommended that you leave the packing to the experts at your removals firm.
IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT (OR DONATE OR RECYCLE IT)
Try to be disciplined when sorting through your items. If you don’t use it now, consider whether you’ll ever use it. For everything you don't wish to take with you, make a box for items that can be donated to charity, items that can be recycled and items to be disposed of.
ARRANGE STORAGE FOR ITEMS WANTED BUT NOT NEEDED
For belongings that you don’t use now but can anticipate yourself using in the future, such as seasonal patio furniture or camping equipment, you may wish to consider placing those items into storage.
ARRANGE FOR THE COUNCIL TO PICK UP LARGE, UNWANTED ITEMS
You can arrange for the local council to come out and remove large unwanted items of furniture`. This could come at a charge, depending on your council and the type of items. Another option would be to sell or donate these items.
DISMANTLE NON-ESSENTIAL FURNITURE AND CABINETS
Always look to dismantle furniture and cabinets you want to take with you, providing they can be reassembled. This will make them much easier to move, and they also have far less chance of being damaged if packed flat.
ARRANGE FINAL METER READINGS/BILLS
It is important to get your final meter reading for your electric, gas, and water meters. This ensures that no dispute will arise between you and the new owner of your house. You should also take meter readings as soon as you move into your new property, and check them against those provided by the previous residents.
CHECK YOUR HOME INSURANCE COVERS YOU FROM THE DAY OF THE MOVE
Consult your home insurance documents to be sure they cover property as part of the moving process.
CONFIRM YOUR CHILD’S LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, AND FIRST DAY AT NEW SCHOOL
It's a good idea to find out when your child is able to finish at their current school, and when they can join their new one. This means they are missing as little education as possible and the move won't leave them falling behind.
IF POSSIBLE, CLEAN YOUR NEW HOUSE BEFORE YOU MOVE IN
On the day of the move, your goal will be to transport your belongings and unload them into your new house as quickly and efficiently as possible. You won't have time to clean your new home on the day of the move, so if you can try and squeeze in some time to clean your new home before, if necessary. Or save yourself time and hassle by hiring a home cleaning service to tackle the hard work for you.
IF YOU NEED ACCOMMODATION AS A STOP-GAP, BOOK IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER
If there's going to be a period where you are caught between houses, or are unable to move into your new home due to renovation work, you should try to arrange temporary accommodation as soon as you can.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR WI-FI
The Wi-Fi might not be set up at your new home for a few days, so take full advantage of working wireless internet in your current home while you can.
MAKE A HELPFUL FACTSHEET FOR YOUR HOME'S NEW OWNER
It would be extremely helpful for your home's new owner if you make a factsheet that details all of the essential information about your house. This will also make it less likely for the new owners to keep contacting you and asking questions when you're trying to set up your new house. You should include where the stopcock is, where the gas and electric meters are, when the bins are collected and who supplies the energy, broadband and landline.
ARRANGE CHILD AND PET CARE FOR MOVE DAY
The day of the big move is usually quite hectic and busy, so the last thing you want is to have is a little one (whether that be a child or a pet) running around to make the day even more complicated. Try to arrange for family or friends to look after your little ones while you move house.
PACK A MOVING-DAY SURVIVAL KIT
When you get your new home, there’s a chance the water and electricity may not be switched on yet, particularly if your home is a new build, so try to pack items that will make your life easier in a world without amenities, such as bottled water, milk, toiletries, etc.
MAKE A LIST OF PEOPLE YOU NEED TO NOTIFY
Think of all the people and organisations who call on you or send you post, and let them know you're moving.
INFORM YOUR LANDLORD OR PROPERTY OWNER
If you're renting a property, make sure you write to your landlord or owner to let them know when you are planning on moving.
NOTIFY UTILITY PROVIDERS AND SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
For all utility bills, as well as any subscription services such as magazines or food parcels, you should be proactive and change your address with the service provider directly.
RE-REGISTER TO VOTE FROM YOUR NEW ADDRESS
Re-registering to vote from your new address is worth doing to ensure your details on the electoral register are up to date. It isn't difficult to do, and you can amend your registered voting address online on the Government's website.
ARRANGE FOR YOUR MAIL TO BE REDIRECTED AT THE POST OFFICE
While you may have already changed your address with your utility and service providers, there will still be plenty of databases where you are down as your old address. A charge will be incurred for this service but it acts as a backup plan to receive mail from those who don't know you've changed addresses.
CHANGE YOUR TV LICENCE ADDRESS
Your TV Licence does not automatically change when you move house, so you should notify them of your change of address or risk having to pay a fine of up to £1,000.
FIND OUT WHAT PACKING MATERIALS YOUR REMOVALS FIRM SUPPLIES
Speak to your removal company as early as you can to see what type of packing materials they will provide you. It is recommended that you leave the packing to the experts at your removals firm.
IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT (OR DONATE OR RECYCLE IT)
Try to be disciplined when sorting through your items. If you don't use it now, consider whether you'll ever use it. For everything you don't wish to take with you, make a box for items that can be donated to charity, items that can be recycled and items to be disposed of.
ARRANGE STORAGE FOR ITEMS WANTED BUT NOT NEEDED
For belongings that you don't use now but can anticipate yourself using in the future, such as seasonal patio furniture or camping equipment, you may wish to consider placing those items into storage.
ARRANGE FOR THE COUNCIL TO PICK UP LARGE, UNWANTED ITEMS
You can arrange for the local council to come out and remove large unwanted items of furniture`. This could come at a charge, depending on your council and the type of items. Another option would be to sell or donate these items.
DISMANTLE NON-ESSENTIAL FURNITURE AND CABINETS
Always look to dismantle furniture and cabinets you want to take with you, providing they can be reassembled. This will make them much easier to move, and they also have far less chance of being damaged if packed flat.
ARRANGE FINAL METER READINGS/BILLS
It is important to get your final meter reading for your electric, gas, and water meters. This ensures that no dispute will arise between you and the new owner of your house. You should also take meter readings as soon as you move into your new property, and check them against those provided by the previous residents.
CHECK YOUR HOME INSURANCE COVERS YOU FROM THE DAY OF THE MOVE
Consult your home insurance documents to be sure they cover property as part of the moving process.
CONFIRM YOUR CHILD’S LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, AND FIRST DAY AT NEW SCHOOL
It's a good idea to find out when your child is able to finish at their current school, and when they can join their new one. This means they are missing as little education as possible and the move won’t leave them falling behind.
IF POSSIBLE, CLEAN YOUR NEW HOUSE BEFORE YOU MOVE IN
On the day of the move, your goal will be to transport your belongings and unload them into your new house as quickly and efficiently as possible. You won’t have time to clean your new home on the day of the move, so if you can try and squeeze in some time to clean your new home before, if necessary. Or save yourself time and hassle by hiring a home cleaning service to tackle the hard work for you.
IF YOU NEED ACCOMMODATION AS A STOP-GAP, BOOK IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER
If there's going to be a period where you are caught between houses, or are unable to move into your new home due to renovation work, you should try to arrange temporary accommodation as soon as you can.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR WI-FI
The Wi-Fi might not be set up at your new home for a few days, so take full advantage of working wireless internet in your current home while you can.
MAKE A HELPFUL FACTSHEET FOR YOUR HOME'S NEW OWNER
It would be extremely helpful for your home's new owner if you make a factsheet that details all of the essential information about your house. This will also make it less likely for the new owners to keep contacting you and asking questions when you're trying to set up your new house. You should include where the stopcock is, where the gas and electric meters are, when the bins are collected and who supplies the energy, broadband and landline.
ARRANGE CHILD AND PET CARE FOR MOVE DAY
The day of the big move is usually quite hectic and busy, so the last thing you want is to have is a little one (whether that be a child or a pet) running around to make the day even more complicated. Try to arrange for family or friends to look after your little ones while you move house.
PACK A MOVING-DAY SURVIVAL KIT
When you get your new home, there’s a chance the water and electricity may not be switched on yet, particularly if your home is a new build, so try to pack items that will make your life easier in a world without amenities, such as bottled water, milk, toiletries, etc.