Moving House Checklist
Planning, packing and paperwork – moving home is a significant life event so it’s important to be prepared. Find below our top tips for what to remember when moving house, including important people to notify and how to pack effectively.
1. Confirm Your Moving Date
It’s crucial to confirm your actual move in date and get this locked down before making financial or housing commitments. When it comes to new build homes, you’ll be given an ABCD (anticipated build completion date) which provides you with an expected date, but this is subject to change. You should only begin to act when you’ve exchanged contracts and been given a set completion date or where the developer has confirmed the moving date.
Once you know the date of your move, you can begin to plan a timeline of tasks within the time period you have. If you’re currently renting, once you know the date you’re moving out, you should let the landlord know by handing in your notice.
Based on your preference, you may want to hire a moving company or a truck to move everything, so you’ll need this date confirmed to make these arrangements.
2. Declutter Before You Move
Moving to a new home is the perfect time to declutter and leave behind unwanted belongings that have been taking up space. If you’ve outgrown your current home, you may have outgrown clothing, furniture, your children’s toys, and more. Your local charity shop will happily accept these items or you could earn some extra money to help towards your new adventure by selling them.
3. Be Prepared for Packing
Once you’ve figured out what exactly you want to take with you, you’ll need to be ready with storage to transport your belongings in. Cardboard boxes, tape and bubble wrap are all essential supplies, and it’s better to have too much than not enough. To make things easier for yourself, label each box as you pack it so you know which room to take it to straight away as you move in.
It’s recommended that you start packing non-essential items early, so that you only leave important toiletries and clothing to pack last. You can also ensure you have all important items that you’ll need as soon as you move in, kept in specific boxes. For example, bedding, towels, toilet roll, basic kitchen supplies, essential toiletries and medications, chargers for electronics etc.
Commonly Forgotten Items
Before you leave your house, you’ll want to double check every room to make sure you’re not leaving anything behind. Common items that are forgotten when moving house include:
- Coffee Machine.
- Extra keys.
- Household plants.
- Garden tools e.g. hose, rake.
- Toilet plunger / brush.
- Bins.
- Lighting e.g. lamps.
- Microwave.
4. Who to Notify Change of Address
Government Documentation
Once you’ve moved (congratulations!), you’ll need to update your driving licence and vehicle registration with the DVLA. You’ll also want to get the address on your TV licence changed and update your details on the electoral roll.
Finance
Ensure your bank and credit card providers know your new address for if they send any materials or use your address as part of security checks.
Insurance
You may have different types of insurance where your address needs updating, including:
- Home insurance.
- Car insurance.
- Mobile phone insurance.
- Pet insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Health insurance.
Utilities
It’s important to make your utility providers, including water, gas and electrics, aware of your move. It is recommended that you take a photo of the meters when you move out of your home and also into your new home.
If you have a phone and broadband supplier, you’ll want to give enough notice for the internet connection to be set up in your new property. It’s best to arrange this earlier rather than later, so that your connection is set up as you enter the property.
Subscriptions
Do you usually get newspaper or magazine deliveries? How about food subscription services? If yes, you’ll want to remember to change the delivery address for these so that your subscription doesn’t end up going to your previous house.
Health
If moving to a new area, make sure to register with your local GP and change your dentist.
Royal Mail Redirection
When you move home, you may be worried that important mail will be sent to your previous address. With Royal Mail, you can pay to redirect your post for three months, six months or a year, so you don’t miss any important deliveries.
You’re Now Ready to Move House
Good luck moving into your new home! We hope this checklist has been helpful in providing some advice and reminders. We are County Town Homes, we specialise in building high-quality new homes in Staffordshire and Shropshire – browse our latest developments or read our blog for more helpful home content.
