Every move is different, and moving house can seem like a daunting task. With so much going on before your house removal, it’s easy to panic and overlook things. Our moving home planner will help you organize your move effectively. Countdown to the date of your house move with a list of tasks that can be completed from a month in advance of your moving date right up to the house removal day itself. Use the moving home planner and our moving house checklist for optimum organization!
The things to do before moving: check out the A moving checklist.
2-4 weeks before moving
- Make sure relatives and friends have the date and address of the move.
- Mail – Have the post office forward your mail to your new address. At least seven days’ notice is required for redirection.
- Telephone—If you are moving within a calling area, you need to let your provider know that you wish to take the number with you. For mobiles, notify the provider.
- TV Licence- Telephone calls are made online to notify us of your new address.
- Driving Licence – Notify DVLA – you need a form from the post office or go online.
- V5 (vehicle log book): Fill in the change of address on the form and mail it to the DVLA in Swansea or go online.
- Home and car insurance—Your policy information needs your correct details for premium calculations. You may even be due a refund.
- Schools—Notify your present school’s administration departments that you are moving and the future schools of your arrival date.
- Hire purchase and loan companies – Notify the provider concerned about the move.
- Credit cards and standing orders—Notify the bank and card company of your new address. This will help protect your financial details.
- Council Tax – Contact the councils in old and new areas regarding the arrival and departure date.
- Legal – Notify your solicitor of your new personal address.
- Window cleaner – let him know what date you are leaving.
- Milkman- Let him know the last date for delivery and settle the account.
- Notify mail and online order companies of your new delivery address and the date you will be there.
1-2 weeks before moving.
- Life Insurance & Pensions – Notify your policy provider or agent of your new address and moving dates.
- State pension – the Post Office or DSS can arrange transfer notification or go online.
- National Insurance/DSS – Your local office needs to know where you are moving and quote your national insurance number in correspondence.
- Optician – Ask for the results of your latest eye tests and copies of the prescription, and then you will have them for your new optician.
- Doctors & Dentists – Find details about local services in advance in case of emergency.
- Vet – Register with a new vet practice and have your pet records, such as vaccination cards, up to date for your new vet.
- Bank – Notify your bank branch that you are moving and of the change of address. Your account will then be moved.
- Premium Bonds—Ensure you are notified of wins (you can also check online) by completing a change of address form. The post office will have the relevant forms, and you can phone for these.
- National Savings Certificates – The Post office has the relevant forms.
- Police – If you are subject to immigration or other controls, let your local police station know.
- Newsagent – Cancel papers from the departure date, settle outstanding bills, and find a new local supplier.
- Coalman/Gardener: Settle bills and find new suppliers in your new locality. Back up all computers and have a plan for checking e-mail and paying bills online while your computer is in transit.
7 Days before moving.
- Gas/Electricity/Water Meters should be read on the morning of the removal, and results should be noted and notified.
- Sky/Cable TV requires 7 days’ notice.
- Let your local garage know you are moving if they send you promotional literature.
- AA/RAC– Transfer your policy to your new address.
- Child benefit– A week before your move, contact your local office to arrange a transfer.
- Blood Donors – provide new address details.
- Library – Return any books and find a new library to join in the new area.
- Utilities should be turned off in your home one day after your move-out date. It is helpful if utilities are turned on in your new home one day before your move-in date.
- Dispose of all flammable items that can’t be transported (paint, chemicals, aerosol cans).
- Items On Loan – Return any items or books to friends or neighbours.
- Get each family member to pack a suitcase like they are going on a two-week vacation. Remember all toiletries and comfortable clothes for unpacking.
- Check if you have accumulated anything else in your “donate” or “sell” piles. After more packing, you may have additional items to donate and should have one last pickup by your chosen charity, if needed.
- Back up all computers and have a plan for checking e-mail and paying bills online while your computer is in transit.
- Check-in with your moving company and confirm everyone is on the same page. Reconfirm the moving-day arrival time, cell phone numbers, and last-minute details.
- Hire a cleaning company to come in and do a quick clean after the movers leave, or schedule a day that you will come back and ensure everything is clean and in place for the new owners.
- Celebrate the memories you’ve made in your home, and prepare to start a new chapter.
- Dry Cleaning – Collect items.
Other useful resources. Thames Water – The UK’s largest water and wastewater company
Removal Company – Inform them of any problems or issues that may affect the move.
