The ultimate moving house checklist
for a stress-free move

• If you’re renting, give notice to your landlord. You might only need to do this one month in advance. Check your lease to be sure.

• If you’re buying, talk with your legal team. Check plans for exchanging contracts and collecting keys.

Check how much notice they need for moving or cancelling the service. Some only need a couple of weeks, but some need 30 days so it’s best to do this as soon as you can.

It’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo! By de-cluttering, you’ll have less to move, and you’ll feel so much better when it’s done.

It’s a good idea to get a floorplan of your new home. That way, you can work out if your current furniture fits the new spaces. Sketch in where you want your furniture to go, and you can give this to the removalists on moving day.

Work methodically. Start with the garage and garden shed, attic and closets. They’ll be hiding all manner of junk. Do a stocktake, then get on with dealing with all your stuff:

• Keep: make a list of what’s coming. This will help with moving quotes.

• Donate: take your things to charity stores or use free online sites like Gumtree and Freecycle.

• Sell: hold a garage sale or sell via eBay or Marketplace

• Discard: book a bulky waste collection with your council or a commercial waste collection.

1. DIY: if you have no stairs, not much stuff and strong friends, you could borrow or hire a van and do your own move. This is the cheapest option if you have time on your hands and a limited budget.

2. Find a removalist: Most people go with this option. Here are some tips to help you find a removalist that’s right for you:

   • Get at least three written quotes.

   • Comparison sites are a good place to start.

   • Understand what’s included and what’s extra.

   • Make sure they’re registered with a professional body like the National Guild of Removers and Storer.

   • Ask if they have Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance.

   • Check their customer reviews.

This is at the top of the list for this month for good reason. The process can take longer than some of the other services. Plus, you’ll want the internet sorted as soon as possible. Start by checking broadband coverage:

Alternatively, visit our broadband in my area page for more information about availability. When checking for coverage, it’s worth looking for better deals too. You might be able to save money with a different internet provider. Or maybe upgrade to a faster connection with your current provider. Switching broadband is probably easier than you think.

If you’re tempted by a better deal or your current provider doesn’t service your new address, check the costs for early termination. Our guide for cancelling broadband might help.

If you’re happy with your current provider and deal, get in touch and find out their procedure for moving home. Don’t forget to ask about admin fees.

Check out this complete guide to broadband and moving home for more help.

Royal Mail needs at least 5 days’ notice, but you can set it up three months in advance.

• Update your address on the electoral roll. And if you don’t want your details sold to companies, make sure you opt-out.

• Update your details for HMRC.

• Let the Department for Work and Pensions know.

• Update your licence and vehicle registration. There’s an easy, step-by-step process to follow on the DVLA website.

• Tell your old and new council you’re moving to sort land tax and waste.

• Update your TV licence.

Contact your gas, electric and water suppliers and let them know your new address and moving date. It’s an excellent time to research and compare utility providers. You might find a better deal for your new home.

Your bank and credit card providers will need your new address. Don’t forget investment funds, pension services and loyalty cards.

Insurers might need to change your premiums based on your new location. You might not be covered if they have the wrong address. Contact all insurers including car, pet, life, health, dental and mobile phone. For home and contents insurance:

• If you’re buying a new home, you’ll want the cover to start the day you take ownership. And you’ll need to cancel old policies if you’re selling as well.

• Your contents insurance can start the day you move in.

• Make sure you’re covered for damage during the move. If your home insurance or your removalist doesn’t include this, get moving insurance.

Your employer will need your new address. If you can, it’s a good idea to take a few days off when you move.

Think about literally everyone else that sends you correspondence or needs to know your new address. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Let your doctor, dentist, optician know. If you need to change GP’s, register now so there’s no delay once you move.

• Tell any companies that send you regular deliveries like newspapers, milk, meal boxes, and medicines that you’re moving. Cancel your deliveries if needed.

• Update your pet’s microchip details.

• Let your family and friends know. A bulk email works well.

You’ll need more boxes than you think, so stock up with a range of different sizes. There’s nothing worse than running out on moving day. Your moving company might supply your packing materials. If not, hunt around for freebies before you order them new. Try Gumtree, Freecycle or ask at local shops. It’s better for the environment to reuse and packing materials can be pricey.

• Loads of packing tape and a good quality dispenser.

• A sharpie for writing on boxes.

• Tools like screwdrivers, spanners and a set of allen keys.

The earlier you start on this, the better. It’s a big job!

• Start packing non-essential items like Christmas decorations, books and camping equipment.

• Ensure fragile items are well wrapped and clearly marked as fragile. If very precious and not too large, set it aside and move it yourself.

• Label the boxes carefully with the room you want them in at your new house on the top and the side of the box. List everything that’s inside on the side of the box.

• Don’t seal the boxes at this early stage – you’ll probably need to dive in and retrieve things over the coming weeks.

There might be parking restrictions, rules about using the lift or traffic management requirements at the new or old place. Ask the council or building manager what the rules are. Book parking for the removalist at both locations if needed.

• Check all details with the removalist.

• Ensure they know the old and new address, your contact details, emergency contact details and any special access requirements.

• Find out if there are hazardous items they won’t transport.

• Check that payment is in order and your spot is 100% locked in.

Moving can be unsettling for children and pets, and they can get in the way on this busy day. Get friends or family to mind smaller children and animals. You can calmly introduce them to their new surroundings once you’re in. Consider paying older children to help. They might value being part of the process.

• Organise cleaners for your new home before moving in, and your old home after moving out.

• Book a locksmith to change the locks at your new home.

• If you’re taking any appliances like your gas cooker with you, book disconnection now.

Make sure you've backed up everything in the cloud.

Return library books, have prescriptions filled, pick up your dry cleaning and say goodbye to your neighbours.

Did we mention this is a huge job?! If you’re struggling for motivation or feel like this isn’t going well, try these tips:

• Aim for one box per day. Soon enough you’ll see great progress.

• Take a day of work and really focus on it.

• Ask for help. Pick a super-organised friend and get them to give you a hand.

• If you’re drowning and can afford it, raise the white flag and get the removalists to do the packing for you.

It’s unlikely that broadband will be up and running the day you move in. It’s best not to even try. Instead, plan to be without internet for a week or two. Use a tethered smartphone or mobile dongle in the meantime.

You’ve emptied your pantry over the past few weeks so there’s less stuff to move. On moving day, you’ll be busy unpacking and you won’t have time to shop for food. Order ahead so you’ll be stocked up from day one.

If necessary, take your furniture apart. Put all the screws and bolts into freezer bags and tape them to the furniture they belong to.

If you’re bringing plants from the garden, get them into pots. Water your pot plants and sit them in plastic-lined boxes.

It’s just like thinking through your holiday packing. Get a bag sorted for the last week so you can pack everything else. Leave out toiletries and enough underwear, school clothes, work clothes and pyjamas, then you can pack the rest.

This is the bunch of stuff you want to keep close on moving day. Put it aside and keep it with you when you move. Consider adding:

• Your most precious valuables.

• Your folder full of important moving information.

• Odds and sods: scissors, pens, corkscrew, spare light globes, pet leads, phone chargers.

• Medical supplies: daily pills, first aid kit and a toilet roll.

• Cleaning supplies: cleaning products, bin bags, wet wipes, paper towel and the hoover.

• Snacks: chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

• Drinks kit: water bottles, tea, coffee, long-life milk, sugar, mugs and the kettle.

Now that you’ve packed your suitcase and have your Moving Survival Kit ready, everything else is fair game. Just keep the boxes open for last-minute access. Go!!

Check you’ve got a complete set of keys, including spares and keys for garden sheds and windows.

• Check the manufacturer’s instructions about moving your appliances.

• Defrost the freezer and disconnect the washing machine and dishwasher.

• Drain all liquid from washing machine, iron and garden tools.

• Check every single cupboard. Right at the back. Twice.

• Tape up any boxes that are still open.

• Plan to have dinner out or order in. Clean out the fridge and freezer.

• Have a simple, mess-free breakfast ready to go for the morning.

• Charge your phone.

• Get an early night – tomorrow will be a big day!

• Get up early and have a good breakfast. You’ll need the energy, and you don’t want to feel rushed.

• Strip the beds. Put all dirty linen into one of the quilt covers.

• Use old sheets or spare cardboard to line the floors and protect them.

• Send children and pets to their babysitters.

Whether it’s your mates or a removals company, greet your moving team and give them clear instructions. Explain your labelling system and let them know how they can see where the fragile items are stored.

Be there to help and answer questions.

• Do a final clean (unless you have cleaners coming to do it for you).

• Secure all windows and doors.

• Take pictures of the water, gas and electricity meter readings.

• Smile and wave at your new neighbours. First impressions count.

• Show the moving team through the house and make sure they know where everything is to go.

• Get them to place heavy furniture.

• Connect the fridge, checking the manufacturer’s instructions first. Some fridges need to be left upright for a few hours if they were on their side during the move.

• Check everything has been unloaded and document any damage that happened during the move.

• Make sure you know where the stopcock, thermostat and meters are. Take meter readings.

• Turn on utilities and central heating.

• Test everything works before dark - lights, boiler, gas, and electricity.

• Make the beds, then move to the kitchen and the bathroom.

• Set up spaces for the kids and pets, so they feel safe and happy in their new home.

• Don’t try to do too much – it’s been a huge day and unpacking can wait.

• Have a cup of tea and a hobnob – you’ve earned it 🙌