Step by Step
Things to Do When Moving House
The average house move takes 8 to 12 weeks from offer acceptance to completion. Below, we have split the process into eight stages so you can tick off each task as you go.
Your offer has been accepted and the clock is ticking. This is when you lay the groundwork for the rest of your move.
- Instruct a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal side. Compare conveyancing quotes here to make sure you get a fair price.
- Arrange your mortgage if you have not already done so. Get your Agreement in Principle confirmed and submit the full application.
- Check the council tax band for your new property on the Valuation Office Agency website. The band can vary a lot even between neighbouring streets.
- Start looking at buildings insurance. Most mortgage lenders require this to be in place by exchange of contracts.
- Consider Home Buyers Protection Insurance to cover your legal and survey costs if the sale falls through. Get a quote from Surewise.
- Use our moving costs calculator to get a full picture of all the fees involved, so there are no surprises later.
With just over a month to go, the focus shifts to the practical side of your move.
- Declutter room by room. Sell, donate or recycle anything you do not want to take with you. Less stuff means lower removal costs and less packing.
- Get at least three removal quotes. Prices vary widely, so compare like for like. Get removal quotes here.
- Book your removal company as soon as you are happy with a quote. Good firms fill up quickly, especially during the summer months.
- Decide if you need packing help. Most removal companies offer a full or part packing service for an extra fee. It can be worth it for fragile or awkward items.
- Start collecting packing materials. Boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, marker pens and bin bags. Supermarkets and local shops will often give you boxes for free if you ask.
- Arrange help for moving day. Rope in friends or family, or let the removal team handle everything.
By now, the legal process should be well underway. This is the stage where things often speed up.
- Book a property survey. A chartered surveyor will inspect the property and flag any issues. An RICS Homebuyers Report is the most common choice for standard properties.
- Chase your solicitor on the contract pack. Ask where things stand with searches, enquiries and the draft contract. Do not be afraid to push for updates.
- Discuss an exchange date with your solicitor and estate agent. Once contracts are exchanged, both sides are legally committed.
- Notify your utility providers. Give your gas, electricity and water suppliers your moving date. Most energy companies need at least 48 hours notice. Water companies with meters need 5 working days.
- Arrange broadband for the new property. Installations can take 2 to 3 weeks, so order early to avoid being without internet.
- Start packing non-essential items. Out of season clothes, books, ornaments and anything you will not need in the next few weeks.
The finish line is in sight. This is the confirmation stage, making sure every detail is locked in.
- Confirm the completion date with your solicitor, estate agent and removal company.
- Notify your children's schools if you are moving to a new area. Register with schools in the new area as soon as possible.
- Arrange childcare or pet care for moving day. Having young children or pets underfoot on moving day makes everything harder. Ask a friend or family member to look after them.
- Confirm time slots with your removal company. Agree arrival times, parking arrangements and access details for both properties.
- Continue packing. Label every box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This saves a huge amount of time at the other end.
- Run down your freezer. Use up frozen food over the next two weeks so you do not have to transport it.
Final preparations. Your packing should be nearly done by now, with just daily essentials left out.
- Set up Royal Mail redirection. This forwards post from your old address to your new one. It costs from around £41.50 for three months and you can arrange it online at royalmail.com.
- Gather important documents (passports, birth certificates, mortgage paperwork, insurance policies) and keep them in a separate bag you carry yourself.
- Pack an essentials box with a kettle, mugs, tea bags, toilet roll, phone chargers, basic tools, bin bags and a change of clothes. Keep this with you, not on the removal van.
- Begin your change of address notifications. See our full change of address checklist below.
- Take photos of your current home. Photograph each room as a record of the condition you left it in.
- Disassemble large furniture that will not fit through doorways. Keep screws and bolts in labelled bags taped to the furniture.
Nearly there. Do a final sweep of your old home and tie up any loose ends.
- Do a final walkthrough of every room, cupboard, loft and shed. It is easy to overlook items tucked away in storage.
- Defrost the fridge and freezer if you are taking them. Leave the doors open overnight with towels underneath.
- Check all keys are together and ready to hand over. Include window keys, shed keys and any alarm codes or fobs.
- Charge your phone fully and make sure you have your solicitor's and estate agent's numbers saved.
- Put together a small toolkit: screwdriver, pliers, scissors, tape, Stanley knife. You will need these for opening boxes and reassembling furniture.
- Confirm the morning plan with your removal company. What time are they arriving? Where should they park?
The big day. It will be busy, but staying organised will make all the difference.
- Take final meter readings (gas, electricity and water) at your old property. Photograph the meters so you have proof.
- Submit those readings to your energy supplier straight away, either online or by phone.
- Walk through every room once the removal team have finished loading. Check cupboards, the loft, the garage and the garden.
- Clean as you go. Leave each room in a reasonable state for the new owners.
- Lock up and hand over keys to the estate agent or directly to the buyer, as agreed.
- Head to your new home. If completion has gone through, your solicitor will confirm and the keys will be released.
You have the keys. Time to settle in and take care of a few final tasks.
- Take meter readings at the new property straight away. Photograph them and send them to your new energy supplier so you are not charged for the previous owner's usage.
- Locate the stopcock, fuse box and boiler controls. You will need to know where these are in an emergency.
- Test the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries if needed. If there are none fitted, buy and install them on day one.
- Change the locks. You do not know how many copies of the keys the previous owner may have given out. A locksmith can usually do this on the same day for around £60 to £150.
- Check every room for items the previous owner may have left behind. If anything has been left that should not be there, contact your estate agent.
- Put the kettle on. The removal team will appreciate a brew, and so will you.
Change of Address Checklist
One of the biggest headaches when moving house is remembering who needs your new address. Use this list to work through them one by one in the week before you move.
Government and Local Authority
- DVLA – update your driving licence and vehicle registration (V5C). You can do both online at gov.uk for free.
- HMRC – update your address for self assessment, tax credits and child benefit.
- Electoral roll – register at your new address through your local council website. This also affects your credit score.
- Council tax – tell your current council you are leaving and register with the new one.
- TV Licensing – update your address online or by phone.
- Passport Office – if your passport is due for renewal, update your address at the same time.
Financial
- Bank and building society – update current accounts, savings accounts and any joint accounts.
- Credit card providers
- Pension providers – workplace and private pensions.
- Premium Bonds and ISAs
- Student Loans Company
- Any hire purchase or finance agreements
Insurance
- Buildings and contents insurance – your policy will need to reflect the new property.
- Car insurance – your address affects your premium, so notify your insurer promptly.
- Life insurance and income protection
- Pet insurance
Utilities and Services
- Gas and electricity supplier
- Water company
- Broadband and phone provider
- Mobile phone contract
- TV subscriptions (Sky, Virgin Media, streaming services)
Health
- GP surgery – if you are moving out of your current practice's catchment area, register with a new GP as soon as you move in.
- Dentist and optician
- Hospital or specialist clinics – if you have ongoing treatment, ask for a referral to a provider in your new area.
- Pharmacy – if you have repeat prescriptions.
Other
- Employer – for payroll and HR records.
- Children's schools, nurseries and clubs
- Gym memberships and subscriptions
- Online shopping accounts (Amazon, supermarket deliveries)
- Friends and family – send out a quick message or card with your new address.
Stamp Duty and Legal Deadlines
Once your purchase completes, your solicitor must submit your Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return and pay any stamp duty owed within 14 days of completion in England and Northern Ireland. In Scotland and Wales the deadline is 30 days. Miss this deadline and HMRC will charge an automatic £100 fine, with interest on top.
Your solicitor will normally handle this for you, but it is worth checking that it has been done. You should also confirm that your solicitor has registered you as the new owner with the Land Registry, which should happen within a few weeks of completion.
Want to know how much stamp duty you will owe? Use our calculator to get an instant figure based on your purchase price.
Why Use A Moving House Checklist?
There are well over 50 individual tasks involved in a typical house move, and it is surprisingly easy to forget one until it causes a problem. Our checklist breaks the process into clear weekly stages so you always know what to do next. We also link directly to tools that can save you money along the way, from mortgage advice and lender valuations to Home Buyers Protection Insurance.
- Know exactly what needs doing and when
- Avoid costly mistakes and missed deadlines
- Keep your move on track with less stress
- Save money by comparing quotes early
Why Not Try
Our Other Services
Moving Costs Calculator has a range of tools to help you plan and budget for your move. Take a look at what we offer.
Buy House Only
Know the fees and costs you are likely to face with our house buying costs calculator.
Costs of Buying
There are several fees to pay when you have a house to sell, so check your finances before you list with our selling calculator.
Costs of Selling
Buy & Sell House
Many people buy and sell within one move, so check your total fees and costs before you start.
Costs of BothFrequently Asked Questions
A comprehensive moving checklist can help ensure a smooth and organized transition to your new home. Here are some key items to include:
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Declutter and organize: Sort through your belongings, donate or sell items you no longer need, and organize essential documents.
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Hiring professional movers: Research and book reputable moving companies well in advance, ensuring they are available on your preferred moving dates.
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Packing: Create a packing plan, gather packing supplies, and start packing room by room. Label boxes and keep an inventory to ease unpacking.
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Change of address: Notify relevant parties about your change of address, including the post office, utilities, banks, subscriptions, and any government agencies.
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Inform service providers: Contact your internet, cable, and phone providers to schedule the transfer of services to your new address.
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Notify friends and family: Share your new address with loved ones and update address books on phone contacts and social media platforms.
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Transfer or cancel subscriptions: Update your subscription services, such as magazines, meal delivery, and streaming services, with your new address or cancel them as needed.
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Transfer or close accounts: Notify your bank, insurance providers, and any other financial institutions about your move to update your information or transfer accounts.
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Medical records: Request a transfer of medical records from your current healthcare providers to new ones in your future location.
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Essential supplies: Pack an "essentials" box with items like toiletries, medications, chargers, and important documents for immediate access upon arrival at your new home.
When moving to a new house, it's important to update your information with various parties. Here are some key updates to consider:
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Postal address: Notify the post office of your change of address to ensure that your mail is forwarded to your new home.
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Utilities and services: Inform utility companies (electricity, water, gas) about your move and provide them with your new address. Update your internet, cable, and phone service providers with your new address or arrange for a transfer of services.
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Financial institutions: Notify your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions about your change of address. Make sure your billing address is updated for any automatic payments or important correspondence.
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Insurance providers: Update your address with your home insurance, car insurance, and any other insurance providers to ensure you have the correct coverage for your new location.
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Government agencies: Notify relevant government agencies such as the tax authorities, the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles), and the electoral register about your change of address.
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Healthcare providers: Inform your doctors, dentists, and any other healthcare providers about your move. Request the transfer of medical records or arrange for new providers in your new location.
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Schools and educational institutions: If you have children, notify their schools or educational institutions about your move and provide them with the new contact information.
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Subscription services and memberships: Update your address with subscription services (magazines, streaming platforms, etc.) and memberships (gyms, clubs, etc.) to ensure uninterrupted service.
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Family and friends: Share your new address with your loved ones, friends, and colleagues so they can update their records and stay in touch.
Remember, it's important to update this information promptly to ensure that important mail, bills, and other communications reach you at your new address.
Before moving into a new house, there are several important tasks that should be completed. Here are some key things to do:
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Utilities: Contact utility companies to set up services such as electricity, water, gas, and internet. Ensure that these services are scheduled to be activated before your move-in date.
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Change locks: For security purposes, consider changing the locks on all exterior doors or rekeying them. This will help ensure that you are the only one with access to your new home.
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Deep cleaning: Before moving your belongings in, it's a good idea to thoroughly clean the house. This includes cleaning floors, walls, countertops, and any other surfaces. You may also want to consider hiring professional cleaners for a more thorough job.
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Pest control: If necessary, arrange for pest control services to inspect and treat the property for any existing pests. This will help prevent any unwelcome surprises after moving in.
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Repairs and renovations: Take care of any necessary repairs or renovations before moving in. This could involve fixing leaks, replacing broken fixtures, or painting the walls.
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Safety checks: Test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers to ensure they are in working order. Install new batteries if needed.
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Change of address: Notify the post office, banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, healthcare professionals, and any other relevant parties about your change of address. Update your address on official documents and forms.
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Transfer or set up insurance: Update your home insurance policy and consider obtaining renters or homeowners insurance if you don't already have it. Ensure that you have adequate coverage for your new property.
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Plan furniture placement: Before moving in your furniture, consider the layout of each room and plan where each piece will go. This will make the moving process smoother and help you envision your new living space.
By completing these tasks before moving into your new house, you will be able to start your new chapter with less stress and more peace of mind.
