Moving House Checklist UK: The Practical Side of Moving Day

• ●Get three quotes from removal companies. Most quote based on a video survey of your home rather than an in person visit, which speeds things up. Look for British Association of Removers (BAR) membership.
• ●If you are moving long distance or internationally, book early. Removals firms get booked solid in summer months.
• ●Confirm whether your removals quote includes packing materials, dismantling furniture, and unpacking at the new property.
• ●Start sorting and decluttering. Most people move with thirty percent more stuff than they need. Donate, sell on Vinted or Facebook Marketplace, or take to the tip.

• ●Set up Royal Mail Redirection. £39 for three months, £62 for six months, £80 for twelve months (2026 prices). Online application at royalmail.com.
• ●Notify the following of your move date and new address (the easy ones first):
• ●DVLA, for your driving licence and any vehicles (mandatory, £20 fine if you forget)
• ●Bank and credit card providers
• ●HMRC (especially if self employed)
• ●GP and dentist
• ●Your employer's HR / payroll
• ●Pension providers
• ●Insurance: car, contents, life
• ●Any subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, gym, magazines)
• ●Take meter readings at your current property if you have not already started monthly readings, so you have a baseline.

• ●Confirm removals booking in writing and pay any deposit due.
• ●Contact your current energy supplier and water company to give a final reading date.
• ●Set up new energy supplier accounts at the new property (or wait until you move in and choose a supplier then, depending on what is already in place).
• ●Contact your broadband and phone provider. Most providers can transfer your service to the new property if it is in their coverage area. If not, give notice. New build properties often have a builder selected broadband provider you can switch later.
• ●Set up council tax accounts. Notify both the current and new council. Council tax is calculated daily, so you only pay each council for the days you were there.
• ●Notify your TV Licence (free transfer to the new address).
• ●Order the new beds, sofas, white goods, etc. with a delivery date that fits the move.

• ●Pack non essentials. Books, art, ornaments, out of season clothes.
• ●Confirm the removal team's arrival time on moving day.
• ●Pack an essentials box with the things you will need on the first night: kettle, mugs, tea, toilet paper, bedding, charger, hand soap, basic toiletries, change of clothes.
• ●Defrost the freezer the night before move day.
• ●Set up redirect for any other regular post (Amazon, eBay subscription deliveries).

• ●Take final meter readings (gas, electric, water) at the current property.
• ●Photograph the readings. Photograph the entire property to record condition.
• ●Pack the last items overnight.
• ●Charge your phone. Keep the conveyancer's contact details handy.

• ●Completion typically happens late morning, between 11am and 1pm. You cannot collect keys until the seller's solicitor confirms receipt of funds.
• ●The removals team will usually start loading at the current property around 8am. They will not unload at the new property until you have confirmed keys.
• ●When you have the keys, take meter readings at the new property immediately. Photograph them.
• ●Walk the property before everything comes off the lorry. Check for any damage caused by the previous owner moving out.
• ●Set the wifi router up first. The rest of the unpacking happens with music and a takeaway.

• ●Notify your new GP and dentist. Both can be done online in most areas.
• ●Register with the new council for any garden waste collection, recycling schedule, or parking permits.
• ●Update your address on any remaining accounts (loyalty schemes, online shopping defaults, professional bodies).
• ●If you are renting your previous property to new tenants, hand over the inventory and meter readings to the letting agent.
• ●Test the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• ●Locate the main stopcock, fuse board, and gas shut off valve.

• ●Get into a routine with the new commute. Check whether you should change the time you leave.
• ●Find the nearest post office, doctor, dentist, supermarket, and tip.
• ●Meet the neighbours where appropriate.
• ●Update voter registration: visit gov.uk/register to vote in your new constituency.
• ●Consider whether to switch your energy or broadband supplier for better rates now you have moved.

• ●Royal Mail Redirection: royalmail.com
• ●DVLA address change: gov.uk/tell-dvla-about-a-change-of-address
• ●Council tax: gov.uk/council-tax-moving-house
• ●TV Licence: tvlicensing.co.uk
• ●Voter registration: gov.uk/register-to-vote
• ●British Association of Removers: bar.co.uk

Our role ends at completion, but we know how stressful the practical side can be. The fixed fee quote you receive from us covers the legal work cleanly, with no surprise charges, so you can focus your time and energy on the moving day logistics where it really matters.