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Moving Checklist for the UK

The Fantastic Removals Team Published: Jun 04/2018 Last update: Aug 20/2024 Checklists | To-do Lists

Moving house can often be an exciting yet intimidating event. Though the logistics might quickly become taxing, this is an exciting period for a fresh start. This is why making sure your relocation is as seamless as it may be depends on having a strong strategy.

From the first planning to settling into your new home, this thorough home moving checklist will help you manage every phase of the process. There are a lot of details and obligations with moving, especially if you are living in London, and it’s easy to miss something in all the hassle. That’s why the Fantastic Removals team made a complete moving checklist for the UK.

Table of Contents

Tasks to do 2 months before moving

You still have two months until your home removal. That’s a lot, and you shouldn’t rush it. But there are certain actions to take in advance to be sure your relocation goes smoothly.

The first stage of your move is all about laying the groundwork. It’s crucial to start early so that you can spread out tasks and avoid last-minute chaos. Imagine having everything under control without the last-minute rush; this is what early planning can give you.

Start de-cluttering. Throw away, donate, or sell the stuff you won’t need at your new place.
If you are currently renting, notify your Landlord, using the proper notice. Otherwise, your tenancy may not end legally.
Check your tenancy agreement for details and information about your deposit protection.
Investigate your new area. Check out for any local newspapers, blogs, or community websites. If you’re having a hard time deciding which area best fits your needs, our article on the best places to live in London can help you choose.
Start collecting free cardboard boxes.
Notify your land phone provider for the change. Tell them at least a month in advance if you are cancelling.
Notify your internet provider for the same reasons.

Amanda Garrity

Editorial Assistant for GoodHousekeeping Amanda covers home, holidays, food, entertainment, and other lifestyle news

Consider extra insurance coverage you may need for your move. Ask prospective moving companies what insurance is included and check your homeowners' policy to see what it covers

Tasks to do 1 month before moving

Moving day is nearing, but there is still time before you start packing. This is the time when you should start arranging a change of contacts, such as a voting address, or home insurance, and you should start looking for a removal company. You can always get a free quote from us and compare it with the others.

Start looking for a removal company. Get several free quotes and compare. Book in advance to make sure the movers are free on the day you want to move.
Check about parking restrictions on both your old and new address. A moving van can take a lot of space.
Contact the HMRC and change your address.
Inform your new local council, so you could vote at your new address.
Notify the relevant authorities for tax purposes as well. More info here.
Purchase moving insurance to cover all your belongings during the move.
Transfer your homeowners or renters insurance to your new home.
Arrange your mail redirection. You can do it online.

Amanda Garrity

Editorial Assistant for GoodHousekeeping Amanda covers home, holidays, food, entertainment, and other lifestyle news

It's official: You're moving this month. Ditch the packing tape and boxes this week, and spend your time getting all of your official documents in order.

Book Your House Move Service With Fantastic Removals

Enter your postcode to view our rates and availability in your area.

For questions about the services we offer visit our main site or you can always call us at 020 3746 0584

Tasks to do 2 weeks before moving

Only 14 days left. Now’s the time to start organising events. Schedule appointments with locksmiths and utility providers, arrange play dates for your pets and children and check your vehicle’s reliability. Check who to notify when moving.

Has your car checked and serviced, especially if you are moving far away?
Arrange for someone to look after children and/or pets at the moving day.
Notify your newspaper boy and the milkman to stop the deliveries.
Deregister from your current GP and find a new one in your area.
Send copies of school records to your children’s new school.
Contact the DVLA to change your Driving License as well as your Vehicle Registration Certificate.
Request time off work for the moving day.
If you need extra room for your items, book a storage unit.

Amanda Garrity

Editorial Assistant for GoodHousekeeping Amanda covers home, holidays, food, entertainment, and other lifestyle news

If you are moving major appliances, make sure that they're clean and ready to go. Remember: Freezers need to be defrosted and you may need a professional to disconnect gas lines on particular appliances.

Tasks to do 1 week before moving

Not much time left. Stay calm and follow your progress on the London moving checklist. Make sure nothing is forgotten. Check if you have missed a task you should have already done.

Confirm date and exact hour with your moving company and provide them with directions.
Contact a locksmith to schedule a change of the locks at your new home.
Start disassembling any flat-pack furniture you’re taking with you.
Get a safety deposit box. Put expensive jewellery, important documents, and other valuables for safekeeping until you relocate.
If renting, set a final walk-through with your landlord to secure your safety deposit back.
Start dismantling any fitted items that are coming with you (shelving, framed pictures, etc).
Fill nail holes with a soap bar before conducting a final walkthrough with your landlord.
Prepare entertainment for the kids. Colouring books, crayons, and games are a perfect distraction from boredom.
Do not forget to direct your TV license. It doesn’t automatically change and you may be fined up to £1,000.
Return any borrowed items to your friends and neighbours.
Pay the council taxes for living in the property you’re moving from up to the date of the house move.

Amanda Garrity

Editorial Assistant for GoodHousekeeping Amanda covers home, holidays, food, entertainment, and other lifestyle news

Utilities should be turned off in your current home one day after your move-out date. All utilities in your new home should be turned on the day before you move in

Tasks to do 3 days before moving

Start unsubscribing from utilities and other domestic services. Pack and prepare things you can go without for a few days. Moving day is near. Doing this will help you decrease the time it takes to move house.

Do the laundry for the next week.
Label any spare keys to your old home and leave them at an easy-to-spot place.
Make a box of essential first-days items. Toilet paper, cutlery, light bulbs, first aid kit, toiletries.
Make a list of contact details about people and services you will be needing in the first days.
Contact your existing and new electricity and gas companies. Advise them of your new address and date of removal. Give at least 48 hours notice.
At least 48 hours notice is required by both your existing and your new authority to arrange for disconnection and re-connection of water supply.
Measure doorways, stairways, and elevators at the new place to make sure all your furniture will fit. Measure twice – move once!

Check Out Our Moving Schedule and Book a Service

Enter your postcode to view our rates and availability in your area.

For questions about the services we offer visit our main site or you can always call us at 020 3746 0584

Tasks to do 2 days before moving

Prepare your jewellery, important documents, and items with value to you so you don’t lose them in the packing chaos. Make sure everything is organised for the packing day.

Contact your estate agent/landlord to confirm when will you get the keys to the new place if you still don’t have them.
Pack your documents and valuables and put them aside. You don’t want them to be lost in a random moving box.
Disconnect any gas cookers, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances you are taking along.
Prepare cash for the movers’ tip, food and other last-minute items.
Check your cupboards and throw away any food with an expired date. Also make sure every packet, jar, and bottle is packed tightly.
Tech savvy or not, take photos of how exactly your electronics are wired. It will save you a lot of time when you connect them back.

Tasks to do 1 day before moving

The moving day is almost here. Start packing your belongings in the boxes you have acquired. It will be a long and exhausting day. Stay calm, go according to the moving home checklist, and make sure everything is packed in the right place.

Empty and defrost your fridge/freezer. Moving a fridge freezer sometimes requires more preparation than just one day prior to the move.
Pack everything that you still haven’t, without the most essential items in the kitchen and bathroom. Or order our packing services. We will deliver packing materials and all the necessary boxes.
Put all your hardware in labeled baggies for easy furniture reassembly.
Use colour-coded stickers to label each box according to the room they belong.
Mark moving boxes that are fragile!
Do a final check out. Go through all the drawers, closets, cabinets, and the garage. Make sure nothing is forgotten.
Charge your phone.
Prepare a snack-box for the next day with dry food and refreshments.
Have a good night sleep.

Tasks to do on moving day

This is a big day. Make sure to get out of bed early and have a coffee and a full breakfast. Greet the removal men and explain to them in detail how you want things done. Give them a helping hand if you can. They will appreciate it and the moving process will be smoother.

Show the removal team which boxes they should transport.
Leave your children and/or pets at the scheduled venues.
Do one final cleaning at the place.
Make a note of all meters reading.
Make sure all windows and doors are locked and secured.
Take photos as you are leaving the place, to serve as proof to its move-out condition.
Make another final check on the whole place, including the garden.
Pack the last-minute items from the bathroom like toothbrushes, perfumes, hair conditioners, etc.
Place your last-night sleepwear on top of the “Bedroom” box.

Tasks to do after you have moved

The moving is over, but there are still a few more tasks in this moving house checklist. Prepare your new place. Make sure nothing is left out at the old one. And relax. Your home removal is over.
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Return the keys to your old property to the landlord or letting agent.
Make sure all the setup procedures for your new place are done – deposit protection, gas safety checks, EPC, HMO license, smoke alarm checks, etc.
Check if electricity, water, and gas are running.
If renting the new place, take pictures of the home’s condition for future proof.
Offer refreshments to the movers, they would really appreciate it.
Make sure the locksmith arrives and changes the locks.
After everything is unloaded, make one last check on the removals van for anything forgotten.
Sweep your chimney before you use it for the first time.
Take a breather, order a take-away and enjoy your new place.

Final words

Although moving house is no minor task, you may greatly simplify the process with a well-considered home moving checklist. From early planning and decluttering to the last phases of unpacking, every action advances you towards building a new house. Accept the change and let yourself savour the thrill accompanying fresh starts.

Keep in mind that it takes time to feel totally at ease in your new house. As you acclimatise, be patient with yourself; before you know it, your new residence will seem like a haven, full of memories still to be created.