Moving house involves hundreds of individual tasks spread across weeks of preparation. Miss something important and moving day becomes more stressful than it needs to be. This week-by-week checklist covers everything from the moment your offer is accepted to the day you hand back the keys.
8 WEEKS BEFORE
Start the big decisions
- Book your removal company — good companies fill up fast, particularly for end-of-month and Friday dates
- If renting, give your landlord the required notice in writing
- Start researching schools in your new area if you have children
- Begin decluttering — sell, donate or dispose of anything you do not want to move
- Order packing boxes and materials if packing yourself
- Notify your employer of your new address
6 WEEKS BEFORE
Admin and notifications
- Notify HMRC, DVLA, your bank, pension providers and insurance companies of your new address
- Register to vote at your new address via gov.uk
- Contact your GP and dentist to arrange transfers or find new practices
- Arrange school transfers or applications for children
- Begin packing non-essential rooms — spare bedrooms, loft, garage
- Apply for a parking suspension if needed for your London removal
4 WEEKS BEFORE
Utilities and services
- Contact your energy supplier to arrange final meter readings and transfer
- Notify your broadband, TV and phone providers — book installation at new address
- Arrange mail redirection with Royal Mail — book at least 3 weeks in advance
- Notify your council tax department at both old and new address
- Continue packing — work through each room systematically
- Confirm your removal booking and provide any updated details
2 WEEKS BEFORE
Prepare the property
- Defrost and clean your fridge and freezer — start using up frozen food
- Arrange for any large items to be dismantled — beds, wardrobes, gym equipment
- Confirm access arrangements with the removal company — parking, key collection times
- Pack a moving day essentials box — kettle, mugs, phone charger, toilet paper, change of clothes
- Arrange care for children and pets on moving day
- Photograph meter readings at both properties
MOVING WEEK
Final preparations
- Confirm key collection time with estate agent or solicitor
- Clean the old property and arrange a professional clean if required for rental deposit
- Label all boxes clearly with contents and destination room
- Ensure all boxes are sealed and ready — removal crews cannot load unsealed boxes
- Separate items not going on the van — plants, valuables, documents
- Charge all devices and pack chargers in your essentials box
MOVING DAY
The day itself
- Take meter readings at the old property before leaving
- Do a final walk-through of every room, loft, garage and shed
- Hand back all keys, fobs and parking permits
- At the new property, take meter readings before the removal crew unloads
- Direct the removal crew to place furniture in the correct rooms
- Check all items are accounted for before the crew leaves
- Test all utilities — water, gas, electricity, boiler
AFTER YOU MOVE
Settle in properly
- Update your address with any remaining organisations — loyalty cards, subscriptions, HMRC self-assessment
- Register with a local GP, dentist and optician
- Update your driving licence address at DVLA within 3 months
- Check your home contents insurance covers the new property from day one
- Meet your new neighbours and introduce yourself
- Leave an honest review for your removal company
The one thing most people forget
Mail redirection. Without a Royal Mail redirect in place, important post — including bank statements, HMRC correspondence and prescription notifications — will continue going to your old address. Book it at least 3 weeks before your move date at royalmail.com.
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