Moving Home Checklist

At the two month mark, there will be a few admin tasks you need to undertake and a few jobs to begin:

- If you are renting, make sure you’ve given notice to your landlord, using the proper process in your contract. Make sure you also check how long your notice period is, since you will have to abide by that unless you have a break clause in your contract.

- Investigate the area you’re moving into further. While you’ll have done research before choosing where to live, this can be the point at which you find out the smaller things, such as restaurants, sports centres, supermarkets, etc. You can read our guide to each North Leeds suburb here.

- You can start decluttering at this point; it’s a lot easier to get rid of things you don’t need at your new home before you get there. 

- Start notifying your landline and internet providers about your change of address.

- Start collecting free packing boxes from friends, family members and colleagues.

It’s one month to go, and it’s time to start packing and getting everything sorted on the admin side.

- Organise your moving company – you may want to do this after you’ve started packing and have a better idea of how much you need to transport. However, it’s always good to have a few companies in mind.

- Check how your moving van will be able to access your new home. Are there any parking restrictions at either of your addresses?

- Contact the HMRC and change your address. This may also be done through your company so check whether this is the case.

- Register to vote at your new address and register your household with the local council.

- Research and purchase moving insurance to cover your belongings during the move.

- Make plans to transfer your home owner/rental insurance and contents insurance to your new property.

- Arrange a post redirection with the Royal Mail.

- Create a list of your home’s inventory and take photos of all your furniture so that you know the condition it’s in – just in case anything is damaged in the move.

- Start cleaning outside areas, such as the shed and garden.

- Packing starts in earnest at this point. Anything that isn’t absolutely necessary for the next two weeks e.g. seasonal items and spare items like duvets or towels, can be packed. Make sure you label all of your boxes with their destination room.

- Be careful about the food you buy from this point onwards. Make sure to cook all your frozen food – you won’t want to transport this during the move – and only buy what you absolutely need when it comes to perishable items.

- Make sure your car is serviced and checked so that you can trust it's reliability during your move.

- Arrange for childcare or pet care for the day of the move, if necessary.

- Register for the GP in your new area and send copies of your children’s school records to their new school.

- Contact the DVLA to change your driving licence and make sure to also change the address on your Vehicle Registration Form.

- Request time off work for the moving day if need be.

- If you don’t think all your things will fit into your new house at first, look into booking a storage unit to hold some of your belongings until there’s space for them.

Not long to go now! Here are the final things that you need to take into account the week before you head to your new place.

- Confirm the exact date, time and location with your moving company and provide them with any directions they might need.

- Finish packing up the items that you haven’t stored yet. Make sure you also pack a bag or box that is full of your essentials, such as a change of clothes, blankets, snacks, and toiletries, so that you don’t need to rummage through boxes on your first night in your new place.

- Depending on the area, you may want to consider getting a locksmith organised to change the locks at your new property.

- Start disassembling any furniture you can so that it’s easier to load up into your van on the day of the move.

- If you’re renting your property, set up a time for a final walk through inspection with your landlord.

- Dismantle any shelving, take down any pictures, and remove any fitted items that are coming with you.

- Repair any scrapes, scratches, nail holes, or marks in the house you’re leaving.

- Remember to redirect your TV licence since it won’t automatically change to your new property.

These are the last few tasks you need to carry out before moving day.

- Do your laundry so that you don’t have to take dirty clothes to your new home.

- Label any spare keys and remove all old house keys from your keyring.

- Make a list of the contact names and numbers of people and services you may need in the first few days.

- Contact your utility companies e.g. gas, electric and water, to let them know of your moving date and new address. This will need to be done with at least 48 hours’ notice.

- Find out when you will receive the keys to your new home.

- Pack your documents and valuables in a separate box or bag so they don’t get lost during the move.

- Disconnect any appliances that you’re taking with you e.g. the cooker, washing machine, dishwasher etc.

- Throw away any leftover food that has an expired date. Make sure all of your long-lasting foods are packed carefully and tightly so they won’t spill.

- Take pictures of the back of your electronics before disconnecting them so you can set them up easily in your new home.

- Empty and defrost your fridge/freezer.

The day is finally here and it’s time to move into your new home! Here are some of the most important things to do both at your old home and your new one.

- Instruct the packing of your moving van strategically – since your boxes are all labelled, you will be able to pack them into the van in sections.

- Do one last check of your home before you leave it, after everything has been packed into your moving van. Go through all the drawers and cupboards in every room and check the garage if you have one.

- Clean your home before you leave it.

- Make sure all windows and doors are locked and secured and make a note of all meter readings.

- Take photos of the empty rooms to serve as proof as the condition of the property when you moved out.

- Don’t forget your moving bag with your essentials.

- After you’ve moved into your new home, make sure to return the keys to your old property to the relevant party, check to see if your utilities are working, and make sure to check your moving van for anything that’s not been unpacked.

Now it’s time to take a breath, relax and enjoy your new home.

Although some of these are very obvious, we’ve also seen situations where they are missed. After a long day hunting around in boxes is not what you need. Here’s our list of essentials to keep separated and on your person on the big day:

- Important documents (e.g., passports, marriage license, birth certificates, any records containing bank account information)

- Credit cards

- Medication

- Phone and charger

- Laptop and charger

- Toilet paper

- A change of clothes (one for each member of your household)

- Snacks and water (for children and pets)

- A child’s special toy or blanket (if they can’t bear to pack it)

- Jewellery 

- Torch

- Tape measure

- Toolbox

- Bin bags

- Kitchen roll

- Cash

- Any other valuables, heirlooms or irreplaceable items