Moving house checklist 2023: What to do, and when you should do it

Your offer has been accepted and you have a moving date pencilled in the diary—congratulations!

This is undoubtedly an exciting time, but with so much at stake and so much to do, it can also be stressful and confusing. But, with a little knowledge and planning, it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Our moving house checklist can help you ensure that you keep on top of all the essential tasks, big and small.

Budget and organise – 8 weeks to go

The first item on your checklist for moving house: reduce stress and the scope for nasty surprises by ensuring you’ve at least a rough idea of how much the move is going to set you back – you don’t want to find yourself relying on your credit card for emergency purposes. According to one piece of research, the average cost of removal and Post Office redirection fees for moving house in 2019 was £1,236.66.* But bear in mind, you may pick up many additional costs so it’s useful to make a list of these as you go and to keep a dedicated notebook for this purpose. You should keep this in a safe place alongside all the important documentation you’ll need as your move progresses. If you're still at the stage where you're thinking about buying you may want to check out our article on what's involved when you buy a house.

You may need to arrange a new school or nursery for your child – 8 weeks to go

If you’re moving to another part of the country or to a different area of your current town or city, you’ll need to speak to your child’s school to confirm their final day of attendance. You’ll also need to make a list of suitable schools or nurseries in the area of your new house so that you can apply and confirm a place, and then organise a start-date and prompt transfer of educational records – you may also need to order new school uniforms. If you get this aspect of moving sorted sooner, you and your kids are less likely to suffer disruption and uncertainty in the future. Your little ones will miss as few school days as possible and you’ll minimise the potential for added stress – it’s easier to have them at school than trying to entertain them at home for weeks of packing and unpacking boxes.

Give your landlord notice – 8 weeks to go

If you're renting, you’ll need to give notice. Ideally, your move date will coincide with the end of your lease. If you’re on an assured shorthold tenancy(alsoknown as a Statutory Periodic Tenancy or SPT) that has lapsed into a month-to-month periodic tenancy, you’re typically required by law to give one clear tenancy period's notice in writing. This is usually one month before your next rental payment is due if you pay monthly or, if you pay weekly, a minimum of 28 days. Whatever the case, it’s courteous to give notice once you’re sure you’re moving.

Plan to move your valuables – 7 weeks to go

Hopefully, most of your belongings will be robust enough to be packed up and transported by a removal company. But, any especially valuable or fragile items may need extra love and attention. If they’re very expensive they may not be covered by the removal company’s insurance policy. If they’re of sentimental value or irreplaceable it may be better if you move them yourself. It’s a good idea to plan insurance for your valuables now to avoid panic nearer the move date.

Begin the decluttering process – 7 weeks to go

It’s easy to underestimate just how important decluttering can be but make no mistake: this is an important item on your house moving checklist. Lots of us have homes full of things we no longer need. You can save yourself unnecessary work down the line by starting the clearing process early. Create a packing inventory as you go from room to room, go through your cupboards and drawers, sort under the stairs, empty junk from your attic, clear your garden and shed and give any spare rooms the once over. You don’t want to find yourself burdened with boxes laden with things you no longer want—not exactly a fresh start!

Large furniture: cull or keep? – 7 weeks to go

You need to figure out which items of furniture will fit into your new home. Your estate agent and/or surveyor will have given you floor plans. These will help but if you’re in any doubt you may be able to arrange a visit to your new home to take some measurements. Also, now may be a good time to give away or get rid of anything you won’t be keeping. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to negotiate better prices.

Dismantle any large furniture you are keeping – 6 weeks to go

Unless you’ve arranged for your removal company to dismantle your flat-pack furniture for you, you’ll probably have to do this yourself. When furniture has been flat-packed it’s easier to move, easier to store and less likely to be damaged.

Find and book a removals company – 6 weeks to go

Unless you’re moving from your parents’ home or from fully-furnished accommodation, you’ll likely have to organise the removal of all your possessions. Yes, you may be able to do this yourself by renting a van and borrowing a few friends to help you, but the DIY approach may well prove a false economy at a time when you already have so much on your plate. If you choose the professional option, book well in advance(ifnot 6 weeks before you move then as soon as you have a move date confirmed), compare quotes and only ever instruct a firm that is well-reviewed or comes via a trusted personal recommendation. Make the firm has insurance in place to cover any loss or breakage – The British Association of Removers can help you find a reputable removal company. Lastly, it’s a good idea to check whether there are any parking restrictions for large removals vehicles at both your old and new address – your removals firm may need to apply for council parking permits.

Consider your storage needs – 5 weeks to go

If you’re downsizing or are going to have a lag period between the date you move out of your old address and the date you move into your new home, you may need to organise storage for your possessions. It’s a good idea to compare storage facility prices and find somewhere suitable well in advance of moving so that you’ve plenty of time to get on with the other items on your moving house checklist.

Organise temporary accommodation (if you need it) – 5 weeks to go

If the exit date from your old home and the entry date for your new home don’t quite align – or if your move date has been set back by renovation work or a delay in the chain – you may need temporary accommodation to bridge the gap. It may be worth booking this well in advance to increase your chances of finding cheaper hotel or B&B accommodation. Or, you may be able to arrange to stay with friends and family.

Organise childcare – 5 weeks to go

Children can split your focus at the best of times, but when you’re moving, they have a habit of really slowing things down. If possible, arrange in advance for children to stay with friends or family so that they don’t get bored on moving day – it can also be nerve-wracking having children around when there’s loads of heavy lifting going on. This is one item on the house move checklist that is easy to neglect – do not underestimate the benefit of arranging for them to stay with friends and family on move day. Alternatively, you could consider paying for a registered childminder.

Make plans for your pets – 5 weeks to go

Every pet will have different needs, but you’ll need to ensure that, like your children, your pet has a place to stay on moving day. You could organise a short kennel visit, a pet-shipping service or a brief visit to stay with family or friends.

Prepare to pack – 5 weeks to go

Many removal companies will do the packing for you. However, if you’d rather do it yourself, you’ll need to organise suitable packing materials well in advance – i.e. boxes, tape, rope and bubble wrap – so that you don’t risk falling short in the lead up to your move date.

Organise time off work – 4 weeks to go

Moving house can be very time-consuming. You may well need at least a day off either side of your move so that you have the time necessary to focus on your move. It’s essential that you tick this off your moving home checklist now so that you don’t have to plead with your boss come move day.

Notify your neighbours – 4 weeks to go

If your neighbours have become your friends, it’s nice to say goodbye well in advance of all the pre-move chaos. You can also take the opportunity to arrange for the return of any items you’ve lent or borrowed as well as for the return of any spare sets of keys. Also, any friendly neighbours that you keep in touch with might forward on post and parcels to you.

Start packing – 4 weeks to go

Be organised with packing and unpacking will be easier. Label all your boxes so that you’ve absolute clarity about what is inside and cross-reference where they’ll be going in your new home. Start packing stuff you won’t need – for example, unseasonal clothes, books, picture frames, and ornaments.

Notify your utility suppliers – 4 weeks to go

You’ll need to let all of your energy, phone and broadband suppliers know of your intention to move. Do this as soon as possible to give your suppliers time to move or cancel your service as you wish. If you don’t do this, you might be at risk of fines.

Organise cleaners – 4 weeks to go

If you’re renting, you might need to organise an end of tenancy clean for the day of or the day following your departure. It’s also likely that your new home will need cleaning before you move in. You may want to compare quotes from reputable cleaners or go with someone recommended by a friend.

Change of address – 3 weeks to go

In the age of email, social media and the smartphone it can be easy to forget that some of your most important contacts rely on your physical address for communications. For most personal contacts, a simple email and change of address card letting them know that you are moving home will do the trick. You may also need to inform people like:

• your employer
• The Inland Revenue
• National Insurance
• local authorities
• The Department of Work and Pensions(ifyou receive money from the DWP)
• your gym or health club
• phone and broadband providers
• your dentist, doctor, optician and vet
• banks, building societies and pension providers
• store and credit card providers
• insurance companies(thecost of some types of cover – i.e. home insurance and car insurance – will change depending on your address. All of your insurers will need to be informed regardless
• The DVLA to update your driving license and logbook

Organise a parking permit for your new home – 3 weeks to go

Depending on where you’re moving and whether you require on-street parking, you may need a parking permit. Find out if you require a parking permit and contact the relevant local authority to apply for it in advance of your move. This might not seem like a priority now, but if you don’t address this item on your moving home checklist now you just might find that your few days parking outside your new house prove to be very expensive.

Pack your moving kit essentials – 2 weeks to go

When you move into your new house, the last thing you want to be doing is rifling through assorted boxes looking for the kettle, tea bags and a pair of clean underwear. Be sure to pack a box or bag of nothing but the essentials. For most people, this will include:

• Kettle, coffee pot, mugs, tea, coffee and sugar
• Phone chargers
• Laptop and charger
• Loo roll
• Toothbrushes, soap, and other essential toiletries
• Bedding for the first night
• Towels
• Clean clothes and nightwear
• Radio
• Snacks

Insurance for moving day – 2 weeks to go

Moving home involves countless large, heavy, fragile and valuable objects being carried through tight spaces. Make sure that your home and/or removal insurance covers property damage to both your old and new addresses. It may be worth contacting your insurers well in advance to make sure that you’re adequately covered and that you have the best possible deal in place. In some cases, you may need to pay for additional cover.

Cancel your regular deliveries – 2 weeks to go

You’ll need to cancel any regular veg box, milk, newspaper or flower deliveries to your old address and, if you wish them to continue, switch them to your new address.

Council tax – 2 weeks to go

One month before you move you should tell your local authority of your intention to change address. If you’re in credit at the time of your move, you can apply for a refund once you’re in your new home. You’ll need to pay council tax on your new home from the day of your move – if you don’t, your payment will need to be backdated. If your new home is within the same local authority, you can continue your direct debit but with updated details. If you’re moving to a new local authority, you’ll have to begin the registration process from scratch.

Update your TV Licence – 2 weeks to go

You should change your TV Licence address when you move house. In theory, you may be subject to a £1,000 fine if you don’t. You can update your details here.

Pack medication – 1 week to go

Make sure your prescription medication is packed in a specially designated place and that you keep this close by. It will make things so much easier and less stressful if you know exactly where to find your prescription pills and potions on moving day. You may also want to pack your non-prescription pain-relieving medicines in the same place – headaches and back strains are a common moving house hazard.

Pack your ID, mortgage and other moving house documents – 1 week to go

You should have all your important documents safely stored but readily available at all times throughout your move. This includes your passport, driving license and mortgage paperwork. Put them somewhere safe – there’s, perhaps, no single item more important on this moving house checklist.

Notify your existing utility suppliers – 1 week to go

Your existing utility suppliers should be notified at least 48 hours before the date of your move. They’ll need your new address so that they can send you the details of any outstanding balance or overpayment. Depending on your energy supplier, they’ll either arrange a meter reading or ask you to take one on the day of your move.

However, it’s advisable to take photographs of meter readings yourself regardless of their instructions. This can be useful for your own records but can also help prevent the possibility of any future misunderstanding that might otherwise result in you being liable for more than you owe. If you rent the property you should confirm all meter readings with your landlord or letting agent. Lastly, it will be useful to the next occupants of the property if you leave them a note letting them know details of the most recent utility suppliers.

Update your address on the electoral roll – 1 week to go

Updating your details on the electoral roll may not seem like a priority, but if you neglect to do it now, you may not remember until it’s too late. Fortunately, updating your information is easy. You can do it here.

Contact the Post Office – 1 week to go

Contact the Post Office to have your post redirected to your new address for up to 3, 6 or 12 months from just £29.99. You can set up a redirect service with the Post Office here.

Confirm – 1 week to go

Few things are worse on moving day than waiting for a van that never arrives. You should confirm dates and times with your removal company. Do the same with your cleaners, childcare, pet-care and estate agent(you’ll need to collect your new keys!).

Wash and dry clothes and bedding – 5 days before you go

Wash, dry and organise dirty clothes and bedding so that you’re not faced with mountains of washing from day one in your new home.

Defrost the fridge and freezer – 72 hours to go

Your fridge and freezer will need to be defrosted and dried in advance of your move.

Ready your old home for its next inhabitant – 48 hours before you go

It’s always a nice feeling when moving into a new home if the previous occupant has taken steps to help smooth the transition. A simple note detailing any useful information – i.e. the location of stopcocks, meters and fuse boxes – together with recommendations for useful local services can go a long way.

Pack your plants 24 hours before you go

You may be attached to certain plants in your house and garden but the truth is that moving them can be a real headache. Check with your removals firm to make sure they’re confident moving plants. Some may worry that plants are easily damaged and may be messy to move.

The good news is that larger plants can be pruned while cuttings can be taken from sentimental garden favourites. Plants in heavier terracotta pots can be transferred to plastic containers, while smaller plants can be put into cardboard packing boxes. Whatever you do, remember they’re living things so should only ever be in transit for the minimum time necessary.

Double check – 24 hours before you go

Now is the time to review the items on your checklist for moving house to make sure there’s nothing you’ve missed. Be sure that you’ve packed your medications, your moving house kit essentials, and your ID and other documentation. Good luck!

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