Once you have found your dream home, sorted out your mortgage and exchanged contracts, all that is left to do is move. However, there are lots of things you might not have accounted for, which is where our checklist will hopefully help!
- Confirm your moving date
Once you have exchanged contracts, your moving date will be officially confirmed by your solicitor, so you can now book a removal company (if applicable) and take any time off work.
- Contact your utility suppliers
Let all your utility suppliers (electricity, gas, water (waste and supply), phone and broadband) know that you are moving, and try to give suppliers as much notice as possible to give them time to facilitate the moving process. Do not forget to take final meter readings in your old and new properties (taking a photo with a time stamp proves exactly what the meter reading was on the specified date).
- Get quotes for removal costs
When it comes to removals, a lot depends on what is practical for your budget and how much you are moving. If you are moving to a small property, or if cost is a factor, then it will be cheaper to hire a van and get friends and family to help. However, whilst this may save costs, it can easily add to the stress on moving day!
There are many removal companies which will help take some of the stress out of moving – ask people for recommendations and book as early as possible to ensure they are available on your moving day!
- Declutter before you move
Before you move is the perfect time to go through your belongings and decide what you are going to keep and what you no longer need. Take any items you no longer require to a local charity shop or sell them, for example on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. It will save you a lot of time and effort if you cut down on the number of things you are going to move into your new home.
- Make a list of where everything is in your new home
Learning where all the essentials are in your new property will mean there are no last minute panics if you need to find anything urgently. Ask the sellers of your new property where the following can be found:
- Stopcock
- Any instructions for applicances
- Gas, electricity and water meters
- Thermostat
- Consumer unit
Knowing where these things are in advance means less stress if and when you do need to find them at short notice!
- Pack everything and label boxes
Once you have had a clear out, now is the time to pack all your belongings into boxes. Make a list so you know exactly what is inside each box and label all the boxes accordingly (by room works for a lot of people).
- Let people have your new address
Contact the following people to let them know your new address:
- Work
- Bank, insurance, pension, credit card company
- Council and electoral roll
- TV licensing
- Doctor and dentist
- DVLA
- National insurance
- Post redirection service
In addition, do not forget to delete your old address from all online retailers, such as Amazon, so that a package is not delivered to an old address!
Finally, send an email to friends and family with your new address.
- Make sure you have got the essentials for moving day
Pack one or two boxes of essentials for the first day and night in your new home. This can include:
- Kettle, mugs, tea, coffee
- Cleaning products
- Bin bags
- Toilet and kitchen roll
- Bedding for the first night
- Toiletries and toothbrush
- Plates and crockery for a takeaway
- Glasses for a celebratory drink!
