Moving Advice

One month before moving day:

• Order boxes and packing materials
• Inform your bank and other important companies of your new address, some companies require a months’ notice
• Don’t forget your TV licence, the Inland Revenue, DVLA and the delivery addresses of any companies you use for online shopping

Two weeks before moving day:

•  Start eating the food in your freezer
•  Send change of address cards or emails to friends and family
• Book storage space with us if required
• Organise a cleaning company for your home if desired
• De-register from your doctor, dentist, optician etc. if you are moving out of their catchment area
• Check you have insurance coverage for the move and make sure it is adequate for your needs

One week before moving day:

• Arrange parking for the removal vans at your new property
• Organise your utilities to be switched off at your current property for the date of your move
• Read the meters of your current property on or the day before moving
• Arrange the connection of utilities, phone and internet for moving day at your new property
• Set up a mail forwarding service through the Post Office
• Make a list of all important phone numbers such as estate agents, solicitors, removals company, insurance, utilities along with any account numbers
• Arrange babysitting for any young children, and pet-sitting if necessary
• Arrange time off for children from school by writing a letter
• Find out your seller’s solicitor’s new contact details, in case of any difficulties at the property
• Ask the estate agent if the seller can supply a list of recommended local services e.g. plumber, electrician, for when you move in
• Visit your doctor and arrange supplies of any medicines you regularly take

Two days before moving day:

• Start running down your freezer
• Organise what to keep or throw out
• Don’t forget to clear your loft, shed and garage
• Cancel your milk delivery and newspapers.
• Take down curtains and blinds
• Re-confirm arrangements with us
• Find out the locations of stopcocks and fuse-boxes at your new house
• Call the local council to find out rubbish collection and recycling days
• Send an email informing your contacts you will be offline for a few days
• Pack up all computers, stereos and large electrical equipment
• Pack up valuable, delicate or small items such as jewellery and ornaments

The day before moving day:

• Collect any medicines, inhalers etc. that you will need over the next few days
• Organise any medical products such as paracetamol, plasters, contact lens solutions, glasses, razor, toothbrush
• Collect together your keys, deeds, contract, insurance documents and paper work for your personal luggage
• Get together a calculator, an alarm clock, your cheque book and credit cards for your personal luggage
• Pack a box containing kitchen items such as the kettle, mugs, teaspoons, sugar, teabags
• Collect together scissors, a torch, corkscrew/bottle opener, a radio, soap, toilet paper and other essentials
• Pack uniforms, school bags, PE kits and schoolwork in a separate box and mark it
• Fill your car up with petrol and plan your route
• Check for road works so you can avoid them
• Pack a box of basic cleaning and repair products for the new house
• Box up things such as books and out-of-season clothes
• Withdraw cash for last-minute emergencies, basic supplies and tips
• Recharge your mobile phone

On the day:

• Each person should keep their ‘personal luggage’ securely with them
• Don’t leave boxes where movers may put them in the van
• Strip beds, pack bedding separately and mark clearly whose is whose
• Elect one person to carry the kitchen essentials with them, ready for your arrival
• Leave a note with your contact details for the new occupants if necessary