What to check before you move
Here's a checklist of things to do and think about when moving to your new home.
Confirm the date of your move
First things first, you'll need to get your moving date officially confirmed by your conveyancers and the house sellers.
If you're renting, you may be able to spread moving out and moving in across several days. This way, you can get into your new home and get any work done, like cleaning carpets and painting, without the stress of moving in at the same time.
If you happen to be at the end of the chain, you may find yourself waiting a long time for all the other transactions to go through. Find out your place in the chain, and plan accordingly in case things take longer than expected.
Give notice to your landlord
If you're renting, you'll need to let your landlord know the exact date you're moving out. Hopefully this will coincide with the end of your lease, as this avoids paying for both rent and your mortgage at the same time.
Contact your utility suppliers
Let all of your utility suppliers know that you're planning to move out – electricity, gas, phone and broadband suppliers will all need to know when you're leaving the property.
Chances are, you'll be moving your phone and broadband across to your new property. Give your supplier as much notice as possible, as moving service may take several weeks.
You may have to wait for your internet connection to be set up at your new property, so make sure you download anything important you might need, like appliance instructions, directions, and those films you've been meaning to watch.
If you find yourself without internet when you move in, try turning your phone into a mobile hotspot. It's not a long-term solution, but it will help you keep on top of things.
Finally, take a final meter reading in your property and pass them on to the right suppliers. Taking a picture of the meter might help, as the photo will have a timestamp, proving exactly what the meter reading was when the photo was taken.
Get quotes on your removal costs
When it comes to removals, it all depends on what's practical for your budget and the size of your property.
If you're moving into a small property, or if cost is a large factor, it'll probably be cheaper to rent a van and get a few friends to help. However, that can easily add to the stress of moving day, so make sure it's right for you.
Regardless of what service you pick, make absolutely sure you've got all your valuables and personal documents in a safe place; keep them on your person, if you can.
Have a big clear out before you move
This is the perfect time to go through your old things and decide what is and isn't worth keeping. Before you start boxing everything up, go through your old clothes, electronics and furniture. Decide what's actually worth keeping and what can be dropped off at the local charity shop.
It'll save you a lot of time, effort and backache if you cut down on the number of things you need to move to your new home.
Pay for bills before you move
Settle up all the bills and council tax still owed on your current property. You don't want any bills coming back to haunt you when you're all settled in your new place.
Let people know you're moving
Contact the following people to let them know you're changing your address:
- Your work
- Your bank, insurance, pension and credit card companies
- The council, electoral roll
- TV Licensing
- Doctor and dentist
- DVLA
- National Insurance / DSS offices
- Mail redirection services (this need at least 5 days’ notice)
Tip: don't forget to delete your old address from all online retailers (such as Amazon). There's nothing worse than realising your package has been delivered to an old address.
When that's done, send out one big email to friends and family to let them know your new address and the exact date you move in. They might not need it right away but, when Christmas card season comes around, they'll be grateful you planned ahead.
Make a list of where everything is in your new home
Most people wait until there's a gushing radiator before they work out how to switch the water off – make sure that doesn't happen to you.
Ask the sellers of your new property exactly where the following things are:
- Stopcock (valve for controlling the mains water supply)
- Instructions for appliances
- Gas and electricity meters
- Thermostat
- Fuse box
If you're selling, make a list of where all the important things are in your home, and leave it for the people moving in.
They'll really appreciate you going the extra mile, and it may come in handy if you need to ask them for a favour (like posting those shoes you bought online and sent to the wrong address).
Pack everything and label boxes
Hopefully you've had a clear out, so this should be a bit easier.
When you’re packing everything up, label all the boxes properly. Make a list so you know exactly what’s inside each box after the journey. Make a checklist of what's in each box, so you don't have to root around whenever you're trying to find something.
The Evernote app is perfect for this, and you can download it for Android devices or from the Apple app store.
