What to do when
Once you have confirmed your moving date, there's a lot to organise. It can be a stressful time, so to avoid this it's best to plan as much as you can in advance to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.
In the days prior to moving
- Finish packing (see Packing tips)
- Clean out cupboards and unplug your fridge freezer to allow it to defrost
- Arrange someone to look after young children or pets on your moving day
- Notify the relevant people of your new address. Download our who to notify checklist, to make sure you don't forget anyone!
- Locate important documents such as birth/marriage certificates and passports and put them together somewhere safe
- Take down curtains and fixtures you are planning to take with you
- Collect sets of keys from neighbours, relatives and anyone else who may have them as these will need to be given to your solicitor
- Write down directions, draw a plan of your new home and organise parking for your removal company (see our 'Removal' section).
On the day
- Finish packing toiletries, bedding and anything else that's been in use
- Disconnect any remaining appliances
- When the removers arrive, show them around your home and explain what has to go and what has to stay
- Once the van has been loaded have a final check around the house to make sure nothing has been left behind, remember to check in cupboards
- Lock the doors and wave goodbye!
- At your new house show your removal team around to explain which room is which
- Direct the removal team with boxes to the relevant rooms; don't expect them to know where your belongings should go!
- Ensure the van is empty and everything is in the correct room, you can always ask for heavy items to be moved
- Make the beds
- Sit down, relax and crack open the champagne! You can start unpacking tomorrow.
