Legal advice: Your essential moving ‘to-do’ list

This month, Amy Matthews from Woodfines Solicitors shares their essential house move to-do list, ensuring you won’t miss any essentials or forget anything important in the run-up to the big day.

Get yourself prepared a few weeks before:

• Get some removal company quotes or look into hiring a van   
• Have a clear out before you start boxing up – get rid of any items or furniture you don’t want/need anymore, and drop them off at charity shops or put up for sale  
• Get quotes or make arrangements for any temporary storage – if needed  
• Arrange child and pet care for your moving day 
• Give friends and family enough notice if you need help 

A few days before:

• Make your utility providers aware – electricity, gas, phone and broadband suppliers 
• Settle up any outstanding bills e.g., council tax  
• Label your boxes – make a checklist of what is in each box   
• Set up a postal redirection service  
• Gather together keys for your current property and label them up, don’t forget spares given to neighbours or friends 
• Start to dismantle larger items   
• Locate important documents and put somewhere safe, e.g. passports, Driving Licence, marriage certificates, birth certificates, tax paperwork etc. 

The day before:

• Take final meter readings for utility providers  
• Internet connection/WIFI may take time to be set up in your new home so make sure you have downloaded/printed anything important that you might need in the first few days  
• Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged  
• Make sure that your essential items are in a clearly marked box  
• Confirm arrangements with your removal firm  
• If driving on moving day, make sure you have petrol, confirm your route and make sure there are places to stop off in needed  
• Try to move boxes downstairs or to a convenient location the night before 
• Put together a mini-toolkit including a sharp knife for opening boxes on arrival – screwdriver/hammer/pliers/scissors 
• Leave out any manuals and paperwork that may be useful to your buyer  
• Make sure fridge/freezer and other perishables are cleared out  
• Pack your bag for the first night in your new home. 

On the day:

• Check over your house one final time – check all rooms and don’t forget sheds/greenhouses/garages/cupboards  
• Check the lights, water and heating work when you arrive at your new property 
• Make sure you have keys to every door, window and cupboard 
• Do a clean of the property before you start unpacking if necessary, while the property is
• empty  
• Unpack room by room – it is often best to start with the kitchen 
• Take the rest of the night off! Find a local takeaway and relax in your new home! 

Moving day essentials checklist – for you: 

• Duvet/bedding and towels 
• Toilet paper and kitchen roll  
• Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, soap) 
• Pyjamas and/or work clothes 
• First aid kit 
• Cleaning products, plus vacuum cleaner and bin bags 
• Phone and laptop chargers, Television or radio, extension cables  
• Temporary furniture – deck chairs etc 
• Pen and paper  
• Torch/lightbulbs  
• Paper plates/cups/basic cutlery 
• Dinner (or takeaway menu!), breakfast items, snacks, Kettle (with tea/coffee, mugs, milk)  
• Corkscrew/bottle opener/something bubbly!  

Moving day essentials checklist – for the kids: 

• Bedding/travel cot 
• Favourite toy if necessary 
• Change of clothes 
• Entertainment: iPad/laptop/charger, headphones, crayons/colouring book, few toys 
• Night light 

Moving day essentials checklist – for your pets: 

• Pet food 
• Lead/collar 
• Toys 
• Food and water bowls 
• Litter box/waste bags 
• Crate 
• Any medication 

Things to consider once you are in your new home:

• You may want to consider changing the locks 
• Explore your new area so you know the important things – food shops, petrol
• station, local transport, post box, bus stop etc. 
• Find out what day the bins are collected  
• Consider drafting a new will, especially if don’t have one! 

Who to notify of your change of address: 

• Work, banks, insurance companies, DLVA and government organisations etc.  
• New dentist/doctor/optician etc?  
• Cancel or update any subscriptions i.e., Amazon, magazines, online shopping,
• cleaners etc.  
• Register to vote at your new address  
• Children’s school

Paid partnership with Woodfines Solicitors