Packing and moving tips
Some tips to help you remember essential tasks when you are moving home - to help smooth the progress of what can be a very stressful event.
- Work out what packing items you will need, such as cardboard boxes, plastic bags, packing tape, scissors, bubble wrap or newspaper, a marker pen.
- If you have time to pack over a few weeks, pack all the items you won't be needing until after you move in such as pictures, seasonal clothing, rarely used kitchen and bathroom items and some of your children’s toys.
- Arrange for people to help you on the moving day. Get quotes from several removal firms, and if you can’t afford professional help ask friends and colleagues if anyone knows a ‘man with a van’.
Self-hire vans are also an option, but remember with these last two options you probably won't have insurance for your belongings so it may be worth taking out cover for the day in case of damage. If you are using a professional firm make sure they are adequately insured.
- Think about children and pets – is there anyone who could look after them on the day of your move?
- Defrost your fridge and/or freezer a day or so before you move, and disconnect your washing machine – making sure the pipes are fully drained.
- Make sure you have a box of essentials readily available for when you get there – first aid kit, regular medication, light bulbs, toilet roll, clean bed linen, pet food and kettle with tea making things.
- If you can, arrange with your landlord or estate agent to collect the keys the day before you move to avoid delays.
- Think about taking an old carpet or plastic sheet to cover the carpets in your new home while you move to avoid damage.
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Who to inform about your move
- Council
Council Tax, Electoral services, Housing Benefit (if applicable)
- Utilities
Arrange to have all the meters read at your existing property on the day of your move. Before you move arrange for all utilities to be transferred into your name at your new property (you may want to shop around for cheaper deals), and remember it is often cheaper to arrange to ‘take over’ the supplies rather than having them reconnected. Take meter readings when you arrive at your new property and inform your suppliers.
- Telephone
Landline: Notify your phone company. If you are moving within the same exchange area you may be able to keep your number. If you can, find out whether the previous tenant at your new property is keeping their number, or whether you can take it over.
Mobile: notify your mobile phone provider of your new address for billing purposes.
- Car insurance
Notify your insurance company (your premium might change) and your breakdown service.
- DVLA
It is illegal to have a driving licence with an incorrect address. The DVLA will also need to amend your car registration document. Ask at your local Post Office about this.
- DWP / Benefits
You need to inform the Department of Work & Pensions or your Social Security office if you are claiming any benefits
- Inland Revenue
You need to notify your local tax office of your move, and also the office that deals with any Tax Credits claims you may have.
- Bank
Inform all banks and building societies where you have accounts. This also applies to Post Office accounts.
- Mail
You may want to arrange for your mail to be forwarded to your new address – this helps guard against identity fraud.
- Insurance
You will need to arrange cover at your new address - your contents insurance company may cover your move, so check this; if not, it is worth considering taking out seperate cover for the day.
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