Once contracts are exchanged and you have a completion date, the countdown starts. Here’s what to sort, and when, so moving day itself is the easy part.
Two weeks before
- Book your removals, or the van and the friends. Good firms book up fast, especially on Fridays and at the end of the month.
- Start packing the things you won’t miss: the loft, the spare room, books, out of season clothes.
- Give notice to anyone who needs it, such as a landlord, your broadband provider or a storage unit.
- Run down the freezer and the cupboards, so there’s less to move.
- Sort out childcare and pets for the day, so you can concentrate.
The week before
- Tell people you’re moving: your bank, employer, doctor, dentist, the DVLA for your driving licence and car, and any subscriptions.
- Set up Royal Mail redirection, so nothing slips through the gap.
- Arrange your new home’s broadband if you haven’t already. It can take a couple of weeks to connect.
- Check your buildings insurance for the new home starts on completion day, and your contents cover moves with you.
- Label every box with the room it’s going to. It saves hours at the other end.
The day before
- Pack a first night box: kettle, mugs, tea and coffee, phone chargers, toilet roll, bedding, towels, a change of clothes, medicines and a few tools.
- Defrost and dry the freezer if it’s coming with you.
- Charge your phone, and keep the key contacts (removals, both solicitors and us) somewhere handy.
- Gather all the keys for the home you’re leaving, including windows, sheds and garages.
On the day
- Take meter readings for gas, electricity and water at both homes, with a photo of each.
- Do a last walk round before you leave: every cupboard, the loft and the garden shed.
- Wait for the call. Completion usually happens by early afternoon, once the money has moved between solicitors. We’ll ring to say the keys are ready.
- Leave the keys as agreed, and any manuals or guarantees for the next owners.
After you move
- Tell the council at both ends, so council tax is billed to the right home from the right date.
- Give your meter readings to the energy and water suppliers.
- Register with a new doctor and dentist if you’ve moved area.
- Update the electoral roll, which also helps your credit record.
- Change the locks, if you’d feel better knowing exactly who has a key.
