Moving checklist from Brunsden Associates

Moving checklist

Congratulations! – Your property is sold subject to contract

Things you need to do

• Legal matters - contact your solicitor and make sure that they are instructed to act for you in your sale (and any related purchase).
• Financial matters - contact your bank, building society, financial adviser (if applicable) and let them know that you have been successful in your property sale and search.
• Removals firms - if you will be using a removals firm, ring round for a few estimates, and choose the one that best suits your needs. Discuss packing, insurance and how they would handle the contract. If you are going to be moving yourself, check out the cost of van rental. Make your bookings as far in advance as possible, as you move closer to exchange of contracts you will have a clearer idea of possible moving dates.
• New local facilities - will you need to change doctor, dentist etc. If so start to make enquiries about local surgeries.
• New schools - similarly, do you have children who need to change school, check out local schools.
• De-cluttering - move on to Phase 2 of the tidying routine (Phase 1 was when you de-cluttered to sell). Consider carefully what you may or may not want to take with you to your new home and think about jumble or car boot sales.

Countdown to moving day

• If you are moving yourself, about 4 weeks before, start collecting boxes (sometimes van rental firms can help or they can now be readily bought at stationers or storage companies).
• Once you have exchanged contracts, contact the Post Office for change of address kits. Notify all utilities of your moving date and arrange for mail to be re-directed to your new address.
• Confirm moving dates to your removal agent or van rental company.
• A week or two before moving, arrange for utilities to be in place at your new home. BT need at least 2 weeks to arrange broadband etc.
• Make arrangements for pets. You may want to send them to kennels/cattery for a few days around the move.
• Make sure library books and videos are returned.
• During the 2 weeks before moving, gather together all the paperwork, legal documents etc you may need and put them to one side to go with you rather than in the removals van. (On the day move them into a car to keep them apart.)
• About 10 days before moving, confirm arrangements for collecting keys to your new home.
• If you are moving yourself, start packing items you won’t need in the week before moving. Number the boxes and make a list of what’s inside each of them.
• On Moving Day check your old home to make sure no appliances have been left switched on. Check all rooms for any items that may have been left behind. Check the fridge and freezer are empty before turning off the power.
• On arrival at your new home, locate the fuse box and stopcock. Make sure all the utilities are working.
• Once the beds are unpacked, make them up – and then it’s not a chore at the last minute when you want to go to bed!

Things to have handy on Moving Day