Moving home can be a stressful time. However, if you’re organised and know that you are on top of things, it needn’t be so stressful! This article contains a checklist of things that you can do to prepare for your move along with some suggestions about when you will want to get started with doing them, to try and keep your move as stress-free and organised as possible!
Several Weeks Before the Home Move
- If you’re renting, notify your landlord or their letting agent of your moving date
- Check your home insurance and make sure that you have cover from the day you take ownership of your new home.
- Get quotes from removal firms, book a van if you are doing it yourself, or book a ‘man with a van’ if you need some help.
- If you’re not using professional removers, ask friends to keep the date free to help you.
- Arrange storage, if required.
- Start notifying utility companies and other suppliers of your departure (see checklist below).
- If you’re moving utilities with you to your new home, inform your existing utility companies of the move.
- If you’re getting utilities for your new home from different utility companies to those you currently use, shop-around online and get the best deals you can.
- Start getting rid of possessions you no longer need. Methodically go through one room at a time and decide what you want to take to charity shops, sell on eBay, or give to your friends and family. Remember, if you haven’t used it in the last year, there’s a good chance that you won’t use it again!
- Start collecting boxes, if you are able to do so (for example, from a local supermarket, friends or family). Or buy some flat-pack ones from Amazon or eBay.
- If you still get newspapers, or know people who do, ask them to keep some so that you have paper to wrap valuables in. Otherwise, buy bubble wrap and/or packing paper in bulk, online or at a local DIY store.
- Buy strong tape for sealing and reinforcing packing boxes.
- Check that your Home Contents Insurance will cover damage and breakages during the move.
- Speak to the local Council, to check whether it’s possible to buy a new parking permit for your new home, if applicable. There’s little worse than paying £20 per day for parking outside your new home if a permit is £100 per year.
- Furniture and carpets. These can have long lead times, so order them now for delivery when you move in.
Two Weeks Before Moving
- Start packing non-essential items. This might include books, DVDs, non-seasonal clothes.
- De-register from your doctor, dentist and optician if moving away from the area.
- Arrange a redirect on your mail by either visiting the Post Office or doing it online (this costs a small fee but is worth not missing a mortgage or Council Tax payment over).
- If you have children or pets, arrange for someone to look after them during the move.
- Make a list of everyone who should know about the move. Send out change of address letters, an email, message via social media or, indeed, all of the above.
- Finalise your removal company arrangements, confirm all times and make sure they know where they are going and where they can park.
- Notify your bank of any changes to direct debits and standing orders.
Who to Notify of Change of Address
Utilities
- Water
- Gas
- Electricity
- Telephone
- Post office
- Cable/satellite and internet service providers
- TV/video rental companies
- TV Licensing (can be done online)
Financial
- Banks
- Building societies
- Credit card companies
- Loan companies
- Council tax department
- National savings and premium bonds
- Your employer
- Insurance companies
- Pension companies
- Inland revenue
- Social security
- Solicitor
Health
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Optician
Vehicle
- DVLA
- Breakdown recovery company
- Vehicle registration
- Vehicle insurance
Other
- Friends and relatives
- Newsagent
- Sports club
- Library
- Schools/college/university
- Subscriptions (e.g. magazines)
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