Top tips for moving home: A checklist

Top tips for moving home: A checklist

Our moving home checklist will help make the entire expertise much less daunting.

In case you are moving home, being organised and planning forward will help preserve the method as stress-free and cost-efficient.

This text contains:

Learn extra: Least expensive locations to dwell within the UK in 2023

Top tips for moving home: A checklistMoving home is a frightening activity however our checklist breaks it down for you

What are the prices of moving dwelling?

Whether or not you’ve purchased a property or have discovered a brand new rented dwelling, getting organised will help get monetary savings.

In keeping with the comparability web site reallymoving.com the price of moving home has gone up.

Authorized charges have elevated 15% and property agent charges are up 14%.

The price of surveys and removals has additionally elevated. That is partly resulting from a pointy rise in property costs. We’ve extra on the hidden prices of shopping for a home.

Our eight moving home tips will help the entire course of run extra easily.

1. Redirect your publish

The Post Office’s change-of-address service redirects all publish to your new tackle. It takes 5 days to return into impact and prices from £33.99 for three months, £47.99 for six months and £68.99 for 12 months.

You may set it up between six months earlier than you’ve moved into your own home and 6 months after you’ve moved in.

2. Let your financial institution and different our bodies know you’re moving

There are an inventory of organisations that you should inform that you’re moving home, so get out a pen and paper and be ready to take heed to quite a lot of Greensleeves!

  • Financial institution or constructing society – earlier than you permit, or as shut as attainable to the transfer date change your tackle in your present account and bank card, and inform some other lenders together with the Student Loans Company.
  • Native authority – Contact your current native authority for a remaining assertion of your council tax – you might even get a refund. Replace your tackle on the electoral roll so that you get to vote. That is additionally vital for your credit standing. For those who don’t need your private particulars included within the open (edited) register – similar to the electoral roll however bought on to business organisations – then opt out.
  • DVLA – For those who want your driving licence for van rent so as to perform the transfer, then wait till after moving day to replace your tackle with the DVLA for each your licence and automobile registration (V5C). For those who neglect, you danger being fined as much as £1,000.
  • Insurance coverage – Inform your automotive insurer a couple of change of tackle. Relying on the place you progress to, your premium might go up or down. You may additionally select to maneuver your own home insurance coverage over too.
  • TV license – Inform TV Licensing as your TV licence gained’t be legitimate once you transfer to your new dwelling. You are able to do this as much as three months beforehand.
  • Broadband and tv – Most suppliers will can help you transfer your contract to a different property, so long as they’ve protection there. Be careful for any admin charges. Communicate to your supplier earlier than your transfer – or you possibly can be left with no web at your new place as you wait for your connection to be arrange.
  • Pension supplier – Don’t neglect to inform all of your pension suppliers – even the outdated pensions from corporations you used to work at. They want your tackle to have the ability to ship you annual statements and ultimately pay you once you retire. For those who’re receiving a state pension, it is best to contact the government.
  • Premium Bonds – Keep in mind to update your address, in any other case you gained’t be capable to obtain any potential wins. 
  • Utility corporations – Inform your water firm, and gasoline and electrical energy present of the precise date you’ll be moving. Take pictures of meter readings.
  • Inform your employer and taxman – Your employer must know of a change of tackle to allow them to replace your payroll particulars. HM Revenue & Customs also needs to be told after you’ve moved in case you are self-employed or obtain tax credit or youngster profit. 

3. Select a removing firm

For those who don’t thoughts a little bit of bodily effort, you possibly can rent a van and, with a few associates and do the moving home bit your self.

This might value as little as £150 excluding petrol. The value will depend upon:

  • The scale of the van you select
  • How far you might be travelling
  • The variety of journeys you should make

For most individuals, doing it your self will in all probability be an excessive amount of so have a look at hiring a removing firm as quickly as you may. You should use a specialist comparability website comparable to Vanrenta or Stress Free Automobile Rental.

Do your analysis, learn the client opinions on-line and ensure you perceive the pricing. Don’t simply go together with the primary firm you discover, however store round. The extra decisions you’ve, the higher your possibilities of discovering an choice that fits you and your finances. 

4. Organise packing supplies

Ask neighbours for spare bins they don’t want, test Freecycle and enquire at your native grocery store earlier than going to the expense of ordering packing instances and supplies.

Declutter and throw out what you don’t want and begin packing. E book the time wanted off work for the transfer date.

5. Get dwelling insurance coverage

Purchase dwelling insurance coverage for the day you trade (when the contracts develop into legally binding) to keep away from the property being uninsured within the days earlier than the shopping for transaction is full and you progress in.

For those who’re already insured, contact your insurer to switch the quilt to the brand new tackle. You don’t want contents insurance coverage till you progress your belongings however you do want buildings insurance coverage in case your new dwelling burns down in a freak accident.

In case you are renting or the leaseholder of a property then the owner or freeholder usually covers the constructing insurance coverage. Be sure you test this earlier than moving in.

To cowl your belongings whereas in transit your contents insurance coverage coverage – when you have one – could already cowl you for that so test. Many dwelling insurance coverage insurance policies will cowl unintentional harm or loss in case you are utilizing an expert removals firm.

Ask removing corporations that you just’re considering of utilizing about their insurance coverage cowl (which you might be able to enhance if mandatory).

In case you are moving home and looking out for dwelling insurance coverage, take a look at our independently rated greatest dwelling insurance coverage suppliers.

6. Put together your outdated dwelling

In case you are renting, then you should test if the accountability for the tip of tenancy clear is right down to you or your landlord. If it’s your accountability, then organize this upfront of your transfer.

Take into consideration the brand new incoming occupants for a number of moments. Defrost the freezer, label keys and write directions for gadgets such because the boiler.

7. Put together for the day of the transfer

Pack an in a single day bag. Snacks on standby are a good suggestion. Guarantee you realize which field the kettle, cups, tea baggage and bathroom roll are situated.

Guarantee your cell phone is absolutely charged and preserve your charger with you on the day. 

8. Change your locks

Get a locksmith to alter the locks so your new dwelling has a singular set of keys. It will go away you secure within the information that you just’re the one one with the keys – it’s a wise transfer to guard your loved ones and belongings.

You’ll pay between £60 and £120 for the lock and two keys plus round £60 for labour. When you’ve got a high-end lock like a Banham lock it might value about £300

Associated content material: A information to purchasing your first dwelling