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Checklist of things to do when moving to a new house
1. 1
Checklist of Things to Do When Moving To a New
House & Essential Contacts List
Moving House is a stressful event in anyone’s life. There is so much to do and usually a pretty short
period to do it in so making a checklist of things to do when moving to a new house can be
invaluable. However, lists take time and when we move house time is something we just don’t have.
That is why we have put together a comprehensive UK house move checklist for you to print out, tick
things off, scribble in the notes section, add your phone numbers to our essential contacts list but
whatever you do, keep it close to hand!
Things To Do Six Weeks Before You Move House
Task Done? Notes and Numbers!
Get a date in the diary for your move!
Declutter - Take your time over this and it will
seem less of a chore.
Make a list of large and bulky items and decide if
they are coming with you. If not, where will they
be going?
Renting? Notify your landlord and check your
contract though to find out your notice period.
Call your home insurance and:
1) Find out whether your current policy
will cover your house move?
2) Ensure insurance is in place for the new
property from the day you complete.
You may want to get some comparison
quotes to ensure you are getting good
cover at a good price.
Get quotes from removal companies. Compare
quotes and services offered and get references.
If you are not using a removals service give your
friends a call and enlist their help.
Book extra storage space. Space Station Self Storage offer
storage in and around west London
and we can usually accommodate a
storage request with just a couple of
days’ notice but for peace of mind it’s
easier to get it booked sooner.
2. 2
If you need to purchase new carpets, furniture
or white goods for when you arrive get them
ordered now.
Notes and Numbers!
Research schools in your new area. Visit them
and find one that you and your child are happy
with. Research the application process.
If you are moving for new employment see
what, if any costs of moving your new employer
will meet.
Notify the water, gas, and electricity companies
of the impending move.
Things To Do 4 Weeks Before You Move House
Finalise your moving date so you can begin
getting this booked.
Appoint a removals firm. There’s nothing like
getting personal recommendations so ask
people you trust, get a few quotes. If you are
moving belongings into self storage they may
be able to move you for free.
Arrange cleaners if you are planning to have
your house cleaned after you leave or before
you arrive.
Arrange carpet fitting for any carpets that will
need replacing before you move in.
Work out a route to your new property
including booking any overnight
accommodation if necessary.
Arrange child care and pet care for moving day.
Send out change of address cards.
Clear out the loft making sure you don’t miss
anything.
3. 3
Start packing up anything you don’t use
regularly. Make sure you don’t pack the
tools – you’ll be needing those!
Notes and Numbers!
Arrange a locksmith if you wish to change
your locks on arrival at your new property.
Complete phone number at the back of this
checklist list for the house move.
Things To Do 2 Weeks Before You Move House
Safely dispose of any paints or hazardous
chemicals that you won’t be taking with
you.
De-register from your doctor, optician and
dentist if you are moving away.
Notify your bank of any changes to standing
orders or direct debits.
Set up your mail redirection with the post
office.
Finalise times with whoever is doing you
removals.
Arrange times to collect the keys to the new
property.
Arrange an online grocery shop to deliver to
your new property the day after you move in.
This will give time to get your fridge freezer
chilled and ready.
4. 4
Things To Do 1 Week Before You Move House
Create a file of all your essential documents
and keep it safe. Ideally keep it somewhere
that it will not get lost. A self storage locker
1m³ would be perfect for this but keep the
documents essential to your house move
with you.
Notes and Numbers!
Complete your packing. Make sure you
have a moving day box and an overnight
bag to hand. Colour code and label your
boxes according to room to be unloaded for
easy unpacking.
Prepare pets for the journey including
getting sedatives for the journey if they are
nervous travellers.
Pack up your garden toys, clean them off
and drain fuel from lawnmowers etc.
Organise your finances so that all monies are
where they need to be for completion and
any deposits are paid for the move itself.
Ensure any debts from where you are
leaving are paid up.
Defrost fridge and freezer and drain washing
machine. Ensure all white goods are
thoroughly dry to avoid mildew or damage.
Create directions for your removals
company of where you are moving to and
include all essential phone numbers
(especially yours).
Dispose of any unwanted medicines through
your local pharmacy.
Plan your food and drink for the first 24
hours. A meal when you arrive –whether
that is a takeaway or a meal you have
prepared and taken in a cool box. Ensure you
have everything you need for breakfast and
that everything is easily accessible.
5. 5
Things To Do The Day Before You Move House
As you finish packing move boxes into a
single room so you can easily see if you
have missed anything.
Notes and Numbers!
Strip the beds but keep the bedding in an
easily accessible holdall so you can quickly
and easily make up beds on your arrival.
Things To Do The Day You Move House
Take electricity, gas and water meter
readings if on a meter and call your
supplier with the readings. Make sure you
take meter readings as soon as you arrive at
your new home.
Ensure someone stays behind after the
removals company have left to check for
anything you might have missed.
Check all doors and windows are secure
before you leave.
Ensure you have tea and coffee facilities to
offer those helping you with the move.
Turn off all gas and water mains and
heating.
Ensure you or someone you trust arrive
before the removals company and to ensure
they know where to park and where things
should go. Check unloaded items against the
inventory and ensure that nothing has been
damaged in the move.
Ensure you have a full set of keys and that
they all work.
6. 6
Get the boiler and heating on and ensure that
everything is working and that you have hot
water for bathing and cleaning.
Notes and Numbers!
Get the fridge and freezer in situ and check
out the instructions to see how long they
should stand for the coolant to settle before
they are switched on. Switch them on when
safe to do so.
Get the telephones plugged in so that you are
contactable.
Enter useful phone numbers and names here
Solicitor/ Conveyancer
Estate Agent for sale
Estate Agent for purchase
Removals Company
Hone Insurance for new property
Departing Gas Supplier
Phone Number :
7. 7
Meter reading on departure:
Date:
Time:
New Gas Supplier Phone number :
Meter reading on departure:
Date:
Time:
Departing Water Supplier
Phone number:
Meter reading on departure:
Date:
Time:
New Water Supplier
Phone number :
Meter reading on departure:
Date:
Time:
Departing Electricity Company
Phone number :
Meter reading on departure:
Date:
Time:
New Electricity Company
Phone number :
Meter reading on departure:
Date:
