Moving House Checklist - Complete
This is the complete moving house checklist brought to you by The Removal Market. To help make this process easier we have provided this moving house checklist for you which covers all the necessary areas that need to be ticked off your ‘things to do when moving house’ list. The list is quite long however it is comprehensive in its scope.
The checklist is in a printable format so you can easily print it off and keep it with you during your house move.
Before you think of physically moving possessions you will need to have started the administrative process:
Once you have made an offer to buy a property OR you have received an offer for your property you will need to start the process of legally transferring ownership of the property (this process is known as conveyancing). This work can be carried out by 3 persons:-
- You
If you carry out the conveyancing for your house move yourself make sure you do plenty of research. It will save you money but the safest option is to hire a professional. - A Solicitor
When choosing a solicitor look for one who specialises in conveyancing. Your mortgage lender may have their own solicitors but they may well not be the cheapest. - A Licensed Conveyancer
This is a specialist property lawyer who can carry out all manner of legal work pertaining to property law. Find a Licensed Conveyancer.
Having an EPC or Energy Performance certificate is now a legal requirement if you are buying or selling a home. You will have to provide an EPC to the buyer of your property but remember you should be receiving one for your new property aswell. You will have to contact an accredited domestic energy assessor who will carry out the assessment for you. This will cost and the price varies relative to area and size of property. For further information see Energy Performance Certificates.
There are 3 types of survey that can be carried out:-
- A Valuation
This is usually carried out by the mortgage company and merely values the property. - A Homebuyer Surevy
Checks for defects an overall condition of the property. - A Building Survey
This is a detailed survey of the property.
Once you have begun the buying or selling process legally, you will then have to start thinking about the logistics of moving house. Since you're house move is not just about possessions but also about your personal and social contacts there is much to consider when making a checklist for moving house.
- Compose a list of your possessions. This will help you have a clear map of what needs moving and will help you in the packing process.
- If you choose to pack your possesions yourself you will need to obtain packaging material. There are many providers on the internet now of good packing boxes. Once you have an idea of what needs packing you can order boxes and other material. The Removal Market also provides very competitive quotes for packaging material.
Click here for a FREE quote for packaging materials - If you need help packing you can ask your removal company to provide a packing service. Nearly all removal companies now provide this service for an extra cost. Remember to clarify with the company what exactly needs packing. You may only need help with certain items such as wardrobes or pianos. See our Packing Tips for a detailed guide to packing.
- When sorting your possessions anything you find you don’t need you will need to dispose of. If it’s sellable you can put it online or donate it to local charity shops.
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You can begin to pack all non essential items. The more you can pack earlier the better.
Remember always label the boxes or number them. You need to know how many boxes left your old property and how many arrived at the new one.
There are now hundreds of removal companies in every postcode area of the UK. The intense competition means you have a good chance of finding a price that suits you.
- As soon as you have a move date you can book a removal company. This should be done well in advance to ensure there are no problems with last minute booking.
- Choose carefully. The company will be transporting your personal possessions during your house move and so merely looking at the cheapest removal quote may not be the best idea.
- Be precise about your requirements to avoid any confusion. Remember they are providing you a service
Once your packing and removal arrangements have been made you can concentrate on services, utilities, bills and other administrative work that needs doing. There are many things that you will need to change address for, cancel, redirect etc.
You will have to register to vote from your new address with the local authority. You can do this online by filling in a simple form on The Electoral Commission's website.
- Driving Licence
Notify the DVLA about your change of address so that they can update your driving licence. V5C Registration Certificate (Log Book)
Complete section 6 of your log book to get the address changed on your registration certificate. For further advice see the DVLA Website.Car Insurance
Notify your insurance company of your new address.
No doubt you will have researched local schools and colleges in your new area beforehand. Remember to notify your childrens current school and the new one of the moving date.
- Doctor
Make arrangements to find a doctor in your new area. You can search for GPs on the NHS website. You don't need to tell your old GP you are moving since your records will be transferred automatically. However this can take from a few weeks up to several months. Hospital
If you have ongoing hospital treatment or a seeing a specialist you will have to let them know in good time to allow them to transfer your treatment.Dentist/Optician/BUPA
Pet owners know that pets also need attention during a house move. If you're booking kennels etc do it in good time.
This could include many things some of which are:-
- Broadband
You will have to ring and notify the supplier of your change of address and ensure they are able to provide their service at your new home. Satellite/Cable
Providers will now transfer their services for you to your new address. You can do this online with Sky and Virgin Media.Land Line
If you have a land line telephone number you can have the number moved also.TV License
Your License can be transferred to your new address if you let the TV Licensing authority know of your move. You can now do this on the TV Licensing website.Gas/Electricity
Let your supplier know you are moving. You may be able to get a cheaper quote from a different company depending on your area. You can check online for comparative quotes.Water
Inform them of your moving date and check online for the cheapest quotes available at your new address.Home insurance
Make sure you are covered at the new house from the day you move in.
Things that you may need to sort out are:-
- Mail Redirection
With this service Royail ensure any mail sent to your old address is redirected to your new address. You can have your mail redirected via The Royal Mail website. Bank/Building Society
You will have to let your bank know you are changing address. You can also change your local branch to one closer to your new house.Credit Cards
They will need your new address for your statements and billing.Store Cards
If you have any you will need to let them know your new address.Subscriptions
If you subscribe to any publications you will need to tell them that you have changed address.Mobile Phone
Ring your mobile phone company and let them know you have changed address.Local Deliveries
If you have anything delivered to your house let the relevant people know on what day to stop the deliveries.Library returns etc.
If you have things to return do it in good time.Council Tax
Council tax is charged daily so you may be entitled to a refund. You can look up your council tax office online .Tax Credits/Benefits
Don't forget to notify the relevan authorities if you are receiving any benefits.
Things to tick off your moving checklist as your move date approcahes.
Ensure you have all your important documents (passports/birth certificates/insurances etc) together and safe. The number people who lose important documentation during a house move is sky high.
Finish off packing your possessions and mark your boxes. Produce an inventory list of what goes into each box. It is the only way to be sure of where your personal belongings are exactly.
As strange as it sounds you will need to start eating the food in your fridge/freezer. This is because two days before you move you will need to defrost the freezer and the food will inevitably perish.
If you have large furniture that needs to be disassembled/disconnected (things like washing machines need to be disconnected) you will have to check with the removal company whether they will do this for you. If not you need to prepare or arrange to have the furniture disassembled.
Finalise details with your removal company. Make sure they will have access to your current and new properties. Confirm all details of the move.
If you will be arranging for someone to look after your children or pets now is the time to do so.
You will need to empty and defrost your fridge/freezer a couple of days before you move.
Make sure your valuable documents and possessions are secure in a separate box/bag to avoid losing them.
Prepare a survival pack for your first day in your new house. Anything could happen on the day of the move so be prepared. Things to include could be:
- light bulbs
- candles
- toilet rolls
- torch
- small tool kit
- first aid kit
We've found that preparing an "open first" box for each room makes the first day all the more easier in your new house. For each room you could prepare a box that has essential first day items in it. For example the kitchen open first box may include things like:
- tea bags
- kettle
- some plates/utensils
- frying pan
A day before your house move you should be ready to move house. There may be some last minute things you need to finish off but on the whole your house move preparations should be complete.
Pack anything that is left except items that you will need on the day of the move.
Have an "essentials and snacks" box ready for the day ahead. Things you will need include:
- Kettle
- tea bags
- milk
- some cutlery
- snacks
- pet food
- toiletries
- first aid kit
- small tool kit
Make sure you the removal men will have space to park their vans tomorrow to avoid any delays.
Charge up your phones and laptops before tomorrow.
This will be a busy day but your preparation will now pay off.
Go through the house in the morning ensuring everything is packed and ready to be moved.
Note down the final meter readings for your Gas/Water/Electricity.
Always try and oversee the move and stay until the removal men have left.
After the removal men have left take one last look around the house and make sure all windows and doors are locked.
Check that the removal men unload all your boxes and goods and place them where you need them to be.
Note down the meter readings for the utility companies.
Locate your open-first boxes for each room and unpack them first.
Make sure all your keys work for windows and doors.