Moving Home Checklist

Often this is supposed to be a happy time; however, it can also be very stressful. To minimise the stress use following guide to help your move go smoothly.

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There are several people that you will need to contact to inform of your move. Here are some of the major players:

Services and utilities

• Water
• Gas
• Electricity
• Telephone
• Post office (letter redirection)
• Cable/satellite and internet service providers
• TV/video rental companies
• TV licensing

Financial

• Banks
• Building societies
• Credit card companies
• Council tax department
• National savings
• Your employer
• Insurance companies
• Pension companies
• Inland revenue
• Social security
• Solicitor (wills)
• Health
• Doctor and Dentist
• Optician
• Motoring
• DVLA (driving license)
• Breakdown recovery company
• Vehicle registration and insurance

Others

• Friends and relatives
• Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions
• Sports club and associations
• Library
• Schools/colleges/University

One Month Before

• Use this checklist to help you assess what you need to do and when and write out your own moving plan.
• Put together a 'moving book' to keep notes of everything to do with the move e.g. what you still need to do, what has already been actioned, etc.
• Purchase a storage file for all the associated moving documentation and paperwork.
• If you haven't got a moving company yet, and you need one, then get one!
• If you need to move vehicles, pets or specialist items from your home and you need outside help start arranging this now.
• If you need to use storage facilities look at your options and book the storage facility in.
• Make a list of everyone you need to notify of your change of address.
• Start contacting key financial providers such as your bank/building society to have your details changed and to start up the process of cancelling/setting up automatic payments and/or accounts etc.
• Notify schools and employers of change of address. If you are moving some distance from schools/colleges then you will need to enrol your kids at a new school.
• Start packing non-essential items whenever you have some free time.
• Obtain suitable containers to pack your items into.
• Talk to your doctor, dentist, veterinarian etc., to notify them of your change of address or to come off their books if necessary. If moving abroad ask about vaccinations etc. If you or your family have medical prescriptions, get them filled to cover you throughout the moving process.
• Contact all of your insurers to tell them that you are relocating. Ask your home insurer for details of your existing coverage for the actual and arrange a transfer or new coverage to your next property.
• Start putting away important documents somewhere safe e.g. a lockable box.
• Give all service providers such as gardeners, domestic help and regular delivery services notice that you will be moving. Cancel or change any subscriptions or memberships you have.
• Send out change of address notices to friends and family if you have a firm moving date now. You'll have less time as the days pass so it's good to get this out of the way.
• Get a form from your local Post Office for their mail forwarding service, fill it in and send it off (or alternatively if you think you are going to get on extremely well with the new occupiers then arrange to pick up the post on a regular
• Start making an inventory of your goods and take photos/videos of valuable items.
• Complete any repairs to your home that you are committed to.

Two to Three Weeks Before Move

• Contact your utility and service providers to arrange to have your appliances/services disconnected and, if required, reconnected in your new property.
• Move your packing up a gear. Take a room a day and start packing up items you do not use that regularly.
• Take back library books, pick up dry-cleaning and think about any other similar things you may have pending in the immediate area.
• Start living off your store cupboard and freezer and stop buying frozen or perishable food.
• Put aside containers for personal and essential items that you want to take with you rather than have the movers relocate. Start putting the items in the container as you come across them. Keep it separate from the rest of the boxes or mark it DO NOT MOVE so your movers don't load it by mistake.
• Pack up your garage and any stuff that is stored outside the home. Dispose of anything that is flammable or hazardous. E.g. empty lawnmowers of petrol. Think about what you're going to do with the kids/ how do you keep them entertained on the moving day!

One Week Before Move

• Call the company you have arranged to move all your stuff and also any other companies involved with the move (vehicle movers, storage facilities etc) and confirm all of your arrangements, times, procedure, etc.
• Carry on packing - you know there is still lots to do!
• Start taking apart tables, chairs, beds, etc that needs to be disassembled.
• Make sure all your outstanding bills such as phone, gas, electric, etc are paid.

1-2 Days Before Move

• Defrost, clean and secure major appliance such as your refrigerator/freezer and washing machines/cookers etc.
• Make sure that utility companies are confirmed to disconnect services, you have taken the final meter readings and passed them on, etc.
• Finish taking the last parts of furniture (well, perhaps your bed can stay for now!) apart.
• Sort out and pack any plants you're taking with you.
• Check that all the paperwork related to your house sale/rental/purchase is complete.
• You should be at the stage of having finished your major packing.
• Pack up your PC and other electrical equipment.
• Put together a box of essentials for the move. If you are a man then this will probably consist of a bottle of champagne and two flutes however if you are the woman then the list is likely to be slightly more exhaustive including things such as tea, coffee, mugs, sugar, tools, paper and pen and cleaning materials.
• Make sure all boxes are clearly marked/labelled.
• Start cleaning the house as you go along.
• Make sure you have all the documents related to your move.
• Moving day at your old home.....
• Hopefully you have had a reasonable night's sleep, try to get up early and do not panic about what is to come!
• Take bedding off beds and pack it up. Disassemble the bed if necessary.
• Walk your movers through the house, tell them what you need them to do and take their advice on the actual loading of the truck.
• Make sure your movers know where they are going and give them your mobile number in case they get lost.
• Leave a note of your name, new address and contact number for the new residents of your home so they can forward any mail that slips through or just as a courtesy in case they have any questions about the house they have bought.
• Before the moving vehicle leaves take a final walk round to check you've remembered everything
• Make sure you have keys to your new home and drop off your current house keys as you've arranged with the estate agent and/or solicitor.
• Make sure you load everything you're taking yourself in the car
• Switch everything off, kiss the place goodbye, try not to cry, lock up and leave!

Moving day at your new home.....

• Check everything is working such as power, gas etc; if not, call the utilities companies
• Supervise the unloading process to get everything where you want it.
• Offer the movers something to eat and drink.
• Clean before you start unpacking.
• Start unpacking essentials.

After The Move...

• Unpack logically working down from essential to non-essential items.
• Reassemble your furniture when you have time (prioritise this job).
• Unpack all electrical items and check for damage; report any damage asap as you may have a limited window for insurance claims.
• In due course register to vote and for any other local government purposes.
• Check your mail is being forwarded to your new address.
• Register with a doctor, dentist, veterinarian etc.
• If necessary change your driver's license and car details etc.

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

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