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Guide To Moving In

To ensure that everything goes swimmingly, it's vital to plan ahead. As soon as you know the completion date, book time off work. If you think you will need a removal firm, get quotes from several and to be on the safe side, always use a firm that belongs to the British Association of Movers so you can be confident that they'll have the transport, skills and, most importantly, the insurance necessary to carry out the task. Alternatively, you may prefer to move yourself, in which case you need to hire a van and arrange for friends to help you with the move.

To make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible, use the checklist below to remind yourself of all the things that need to be done before you can put your feet up and relax.

Countdown to the move checklist

4 weeks to go:

  • If you live in rented accommodation, give the required notice to your landlord
  • Agree on a day to remove all your personal possessions
  • If you are considering undertaking the removal yourself, start collecting packing materials, including newspapers and boxes. If you are using a removal company you can save money by doing the packing yourself. The company will usually supply you with packing materials
  • Use your move as an opportunity to get rid of unwanted items - try holding a car boot sale, posting cards in a local newsagents or small ads in the local paper, or donating the items to a charity shop
  • Call your telephone company to arrange installation and reconnection of the telephone service to your new home
  • Contact your water company and gas and electricity supplier to advise them that you are moving. They will arrange for the appropriate meters to be read on your last day and will bill you at your new address
  • Arrange to take over the water supply at your new home and for your chosen gas and electricity supplier to provide their services
  • Arrange for the disconnection of domestic appliances such as cooker and washing machine at your present home and for their reconnection at your new one
2 weeks to go:
  • Tell the local authority that you are about to move and give them your new address
  • Contact your local Post Office to arrange for mail to be redirected
  • Make sure everyone knows your new address:
    • Bank
    • Building society
    • Clubs and societies
    • Credit card companies
    • Doctor
    • Dentist
    • DVLA
    • Employer
    • Family and friends
    • Finance companies
    • Inland Revenue
    • Insurance companies
    • Magazine subscriptions
    • Motoring organisation
    • National Insurance
    • National Savings and Premium Bonds
    • Optician
    • Rental companies (eg, TV/video)
    • Share registrars
    • TV Licensing Authority
1 week to go:
  • Cancel milk, papers and other appropriate services
  • Arrange for someone to look after your pets on the day of the move
  • If you are selling a property, confirm arrangements for handing the keys of your present home over after completion and for collecting the keys to your new home from your estate agent or solicitor
  • Confirm the final arrangements with your utility suppliers
  • Finish packing
The day before:
  • Take pets to whoever is looking after them during the move
  • Pack everything you are going to take with you, but set aside essential items that you will need until the last minute
The big day:
  • Pack a kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, milk and sugar together with whatever else you will need as soon as you arrive at your new home and clearly label the items for easy identification.
  • Keep your valuables secure at all times.
  • If appropriate, lock all the doors and windows before leaving.
  • Protect the carpets in your new home by putting down dustsheets