Moving into a new home can be one of the most exciting milestones of your life whilst also being an incredibly stressful process to go through. We have created the ultimate ‘moving house checklist’ which aims to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and instead provide you with the knowledge to take on the house move with confidence.
In the months ahead of the move
Once the exchange is completed and the moving date has been confirmed, you may feel as though the finish line is in sight. Whilst a large portion of the process has been successfully completed, there is still a fair amount of work and preparation required ahead of you. By following our checklist, you could allow for your move to be as seamless as possible.
- Inform your landlord
If you are renting a property, notifying the landlord of your move and providing them with notice that you’re leaving is vital. We recommend doing this in writing, whether via a letter or email, allowing you to avoid any disputes further down the line. - Begin decluttering
At this time, you may feel as though you are being too prepared but believe us when we say you will thank yourself later! Decluttering can often become a job that snowballs into something much larger than you initially expected, so it is ideal to get a head start – especially when you are dealing with your whole property! - Notify your utility providers
You should get in touch with each of your utility providers and subscription services to inform them of the move and notify them of your new address. You may need to take meter readings for energy suppliers and begin to prepare a way of connecting to the internet in your new property. - Start collecting boxes
If you haven’t already, a few months prior to your moving date would be the ideal time to begin collecting boxes that would aid you during the move. You could ask around your circle of friends and family or purchase a range of varied shapes and sizes in nearby stores or online marketplaces. - Arrange for a moving company
Once your estate agent has confirmed your moving date, you should start looking at local removal and van rental companies. This will allow you to book with enough notice, avoiding being turned down due to waiting lists or lack of vehicles. - Notifying of your new address
There are a collection of people who will need to be notified about your change of address. You will need to register your new address with the council, as well as sign up to vote from your new home. You will also need to notify Royal Mail, allowing all of your post to be redirected to your new house from your moving date onwards. Depending on the distance you travel, you may also need to register with a new GP surgery and you will also need to contact the DVLA to have your licence updated.
In the week before the move
With the moving date drawing in closer, there are a handful of final steps and tasks that you should focus on.
- Double check your dates
You should always take the time to double check your moving date and the time when the keys will be ready for handover. You should also check in with your moving company, providing them with any additional information or directions that they may need. - Arrange for a locksmith
It is your own preference, but many homeowners prefer to have the locks of their new home changed almost immediately. This would prevent the risk of the previous occupant having a spare key and gaining access into your home. - Redirect your television licence
Your TV licence will not automatically update to your new address, so you will have to update this manually before you move. - Finalise your packing
You may have already made a start on packing the non-essential items from your home, such as duvets, towels, and seasonal clothes, but during this week, you should aim to get the remaining items packed into clearly labelled boxes. Think about the items you will use first when you move in, such as your kettle, mugs, cutlery, and toilet paper, and place these together in the same box.
The day of the move
- Pack the van safely
When it comes to loading your van, take the time and care to do so strategically. This way you could minimise the trips required, and keep your belongings safe during transit. - Secure your home
Once everything has been packed into the van, you should take one last look around your property. Room by room, check that none of your belongings have been left behind, and close and lock every window and door. This will provide you with peace of mind once the front door is closed that your home is empty, secure, and ready for its new residents. - Return the keys
Once you have locked up, you will need to return the keys for the property to the relevant hands. This could be the landlord, estate agent, or the new residents themselves and will be the final task to complete before moving on to your new home, sighing a breath of relief, and enjoying your new start in life.
At Pace Van Hire, our range of vehicle sizes can provide you with the ideal van for your house move. With no deposit required and low excess options available, our fleet of vehicles can benefit any property move. Give us a call on 020 7277 9853 or send us an email at info@pacevanhireuk.com to find out more.
