Moving is a stressful time. There’s so much to think about, so many moving parts to keep an eye on but there is also a number of things you can’t afford to forget. To help you we have put together a list of the things you need to remember when moving house.
We trust our moving home checklist will help you remember what you need to remember when moving house and make your moving day a little easier.
This may sound like the most obvious thing but again with so much going on, people do occasionally forget this!
And the reasons we recommend a specialist is they have the skills, experience, and equipment to take the best care of your possessions and will have all the required insurance should any accidents occur.
If you live on a busy road or don’t have your own driveway (or have a driveway big enough to be used by a removal van), you may also want to look into reserving parking for your removal people.
You will have told the people closest to you that you’re moving but have you given them your new address? It’s easy to forget the people who live further away and the people you see less frequently so it’s a good idea to put together a short list (or even an email list) of everyone you need to contact.
First of all, you need to tell your bank and your local council you’re moving.
You should also let the following know too, especially as not informing them could lead to a fine:
If you are moving to a completely new area your children may have to attend a different school. If they will be moving schools, you will have to visit the possible new schools and ensure your children are enrolled before you move.
And if your children will be staying at the same school, you will need to give them your new address.
There will always be someone you forget to update when you move so a good failsafe is to put a mail redirect in place for 4-6 months. You can arrange this with Royal Mail here.
While you will probably have discussed your upcoming move with your colleagues, you will also need to formally notify your employer so they can update your records, your payslips, and your tax details.
If you are moving out of area you will need to register with a new doctor and to avoid potential difficulties further down the list, make sure your old doctor has transferred your records to your new GP.
If you have a final meter reading (and, better still, a photo of the reading) you will avoid any potential of your gas, electricity and/or water suppliers overcharging you in the future.
Storage areas in your house can easily be forgotten but if you do have a lot stored in your attic or cellar, double check you have cleared them.
The last thing you want is for your boxes to give way and your prized possessions falling into the street or into puddles or breaking in transit.
Your wardrobe and toiletries could be hard to reach until you’re properly moved in and unpacked. Have the essentials including a change of clothing for all the family (moving can be a dirty business) in an overnight bag.
We’d also suggest this bag should include everything you need for a hot drink when you arrive and something for breakfast on your first morning.
Moving day can be just as stressful for your children and pets as it is for you so it may be best to ask a friend or relative to look after them while you’re in the process of moving.
Some removals companies may not transport houseplants. If yours is one of these, you will need to make alternative arrangements to transport them to your new home yourself. If you have a lot of plants or some very big plants, this may require you to rent a bigger car or even a van for the day.
Or if they can’t move with you, you’ll need to find them a new home of their own.
If you are taking your fridge/freezer with you, make sure you defrost it or you could get to your destination with water all over your other possessions. Given the potential damage to your possessions this definitely something you have to remember when moving house.
If you are planning to move in the near future, we are here to make sure your move is as easy possible. If you’d like to discuss an upcoming sale or purchase, please email me at Jeremy.Tulloch@collinshoy.com or call me on 0208 515 6600.