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Approaching moving day can be incredibly stressful as there are a lot of things to get organised including removal services, storage facilities, utility services and obtaining the key to your new home. Here is a guide to help you remember some of the important steps of moving home.

1. Removal Services

Book the removal 4-6 weeks before your move date. This is because you need time to:

• Arrange a pre-move consultation
• Receive and review your quote
• Compare quotes and make any adjustments
• Make any final arrangements (eg. Parking)

It’s important to remember that the summer months, school holidays, end of the months and Fridays are busy periods, so extra time should be allowed.

The removal company can still conduct a survey if the destination is unknown or the move dates are provisional, as long as you’re confident that he items you wish to move won’t change too much.

Don’t forget to ask about insurance!

2. Storage Facilities

Search for short term storage in your area. Make a decision based on monthly rent, online reviews, insurance policies and your overall storage needs. When choosing your facility, pay attention to:

• The cost of the self-storage and what that covers
• Were the facilities are located and if there’s surveillance coverage
• What storage unit sizes and types are available
• Any possible discounts
• Insurance policies

Once you have chosen your facility, it’s time to pack your items:

• Use stack boxes
• Pack fragile items carefully
• Define all items you wish to store so you choose the most appropriate type of storage for your items
• Work out the size of your items as accurately as possible, and note any specific needs such as a required temperature
• Don’t place all heavy items together
• Don’t use every inch of storage space available. This allows you to walk around the unit and access your items much more easily.
• Place larger items first, with the heaviest items at the bottom

3. How to set up your utilities:

You should set up each of your utilities 3 weeks before your move date. The utilities are electricity, natural gas, water + sewer, cable + internet and waste disposal. Your heating can be electric or gas, or be paid as part of your rent.

1. Find out who your providers are
2. Contact your utility companies 2 weeks before your move date. You will need to either transfer your existing utilities to your new address, or cancel your old utilities and set up a new service at your new address. To do this you need to contact your provider and provide your new and old address and the exact dates to shut off / turn on your utilities. When setting up a new service you will need to provide your payment information and potentially a credit check / security deposit. Note that your landlord may require proof that you have sorted your utilities.
3. Check the utilities at your old address have been shut off on the date you set

This process can include a transfer fee / cost for the service set up and processing. Expect a final bill for utility shut off or you may be owed money from your provider.

4. Meter readings

Electric

• For digital and electronic meters, write down the numbers shown from left to right, ignoring those in or surrounded by red. Some electronic meters need to be turned on by pressing a button.
• With dial meters, each dial swings in the opposite direction to the previous. They should be read left to right. If the pointer falls between two numbers, take the lowest. If the pointer falls between 0 and 9, take 9 and reduce the previous dial by 1. Do not read the last dial on the right.
• Smart meters send meter readings automatically

Gas

Gas meters are usually found in the kitchen, hallway or outside.

• For a dial meter, read left to right. If the pointer falls between two numbers, take the lowest. If the pointer falls between 0 and 9, take 9. Ignore all red dials, ones marked 100 per rev and the largest dial.
• Digital meters should be read left to right. Ignore any numbers in or surrounded by red, any ‘0’s and any digits after the decimal point.
• Smart meters send meter readings automatically

5. Day of completion?

1. The buyer’s conveyancer will transfer the final funds to the seller’s conveyancer in the morning. Your conveyancer should then contact you. Completion has legally taken place once the seller’s conveyancer receives this payment. The seller’s conveyancer will contact the buyer’s conveyancer to confirm receipt of funds.
2. The seller’s conveyancer and will then contact the estate agent to authorise the release of keys to the buyer. The estate agent will notify the buyer that the keys can be collected.
3. Conveyancers should call their clients to confirm that completion has taken place.
4. The sellers should vacate the property so the buyers can move in. Removal companies and storage facilities should have been booked in advance (read below).

6. Keys

Keys are only released after confirmation of completion has been received from the solicitors. The can typically be collected from the agency’s office.

7. Arrange a babysitter for moving day

Moving takes longer than you think, and there are often complications along the way. If you have children, it might be a good idea to send your them to a babysitter or family member during the move so you can focus on getting everything organised and set up in your new home.

8. Pack a box of essentials

• Toilet paper
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo, conditioner and soap
• Towels
• Bedding
• Crockery and cutlery
• Kettle
• Basic cooking equipment
• Phones and chargers
• Basic tools
• Bin liners
• Pet food
• Entertainment for kids (eg. Books, TV/tablet favourite toys)

9. Check your new home is insured

You can do this by using a house insurance checker online.

10. Redirect your mail

Royal Mail offers a redirection service. Make an account and apply for a redirection on the Royal Mail website.

11. People you need to inform

• Bank
• Doctor
• Dentist
• Optician
• Vet
• Car insurer
• Broadband + TV providers
• School

12. Update your driver’s licence, vehicle registration certificate, and vehicle log book

To do this go on the government website or do so by post. You will need your full or provisional driver’s licence, the addresses you have lived at in the past three years, your national insurance number and your passport number (if you have one). DVLA can fine you up to £1000 for not updating your address, but this can usually be avoided if you change it voluntarily, even if it’s late. You can be fined up to £1000 for failing to update your log book.

13. Update your electoral roll and council tax

Give them a call or do this online. It’s important to update your council tax or you may have to pay the tax for your old property until you can prove you no longer live there.