Moving day checklist: Tips for a successful house move

Important admin to complete before you move

Administrative tasks are crucial when moving home, ensuring services continue uninterrupted and mail reaches you at your new address. Tackle these moving day preparations early, at least two weeks before you move.

Notify utility providers

Contact your gas, electricity and water suppliers to inform them of your moving date and provide final meter readings. Arrange for services to be disconnected at your old property and connected at your new home. When moving house, you can choose to switch suppliers for potentially better rates or continue with your existing providers.

Redirect your post

Notify Royal Mail of your move so they can redirect your post. You can do this at your local post office or online. The redirection service typically lasts 3, 6 or 12 months, giving you time to update your address with all organisations. This essential moving day preparation prevents important mail from going astray.

Update your address with key organisations

From utility suppliers to service providers, there are various companies you’ll need to notify when moving home. Important organisations include your bank, employer, pension provider, HMRC, DVLA, health services and any postal subscriptions.

Arrange broadband, TV and phone services

Contact your broadband, TV and mobile providers well in advance to arrange a transfer or disconnection at your old property and an installation at your new home. Some providers can transfer your service, whilst others require you to cancel and set up a new account. Broadband installation can take several weeks, so book as early as possible to avoid being without internet when you move home.

What to do before moving day

Before moving house, there are a few things you need to do to ensure a smooth transition.

Confirm your completion date and key collection

Contact your solicitor to confirm your completion date and find out where you'll collect the keys to your new property. Knowing your completion time helps you schedule removal companies and coordinate the end of your current tenancy or sale.

Book a removal company or van hire

Once you have your moving date, contact several removal companies to compare quotes. Costs depend on the number of belongings, distance and staff required. For smaller moves, consider renting a van and moving yourself to save money.

Prepare an essentials box for moving day

Pack an overnight bag with essentials for your first night. Keep important items like valuable documents, medications, phone chargers and basic toiletries to hand. You may even want to prepare some snacks and drinks for moving day.

Pack your belongings

Gather packing supplies, like cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and tape. Sort your belongings by room and decide what to keep, donate or discard. Start packing non-essential items early. Label each box with its contents and which room it needs to go in. You should also highlight whether any boxes contain heavy, fragile or valuable items. For more advice, discover our simple packing tips for moving house.

Clean your home

Once you’ve packed, you’ll need to prepare your home for the new owners. Keep cleaning supplies to hand and focus on areas that are often overlooked, like inside appliances and hard-to-reach surfaces.

For more tips, explore our top 5 ways to organise yourself for moving house.

Moving day checklist

On moving day, there are a few things to remember.

Conduct final checks before leaving

When you’re leaving your home for the final time, there are a few things you need to do. You should check that all windows and doors are securely locked, inspect each room thoroughly for forgotten items and turn off utilities as needed. Remember to take final utility meter readings to ensure accurate bill payments. You will then need to hand over all keys to the new residents or landlord.

Take meter readings at your new property

Locate and record meter readings for gas, electricity and water as soon as you arrive at your new home. Photograph the meters showing the readings in case any billing disputes arise later. Submit readings to your utility suppliers immediately.

Unpack and set up the essentials

Start by unpacking your essentials first, such as bedding and clothes. You may want to unpack the kitchen boxes next to find your kettle, cutlery, mugs, plates and bowls.

Check fixtures, fittings and appliances

Walk through your new property and check that all fixtures and fittings listed in the contracts are present and working. Test the light switches, taps, heating, boiler, oven, and any other appliances included in the sale. Check that curtains, carpets, light fittings and any white goods specified in the Fixtures and Fittings Form (TA10) are present and in the agreed condition. Locate important features like the fuse box and water shut-off valve.

Moving day tips to reduce stress

To alleviate the stress of moving house, there are a few tips you can follow.

• Take regular breaks and stay hydrated throughout moving day

• Lift boxes properly to avoid injury

• Clear pathways of trip hazards

• Ask for help with heavy boxes or difficult tasks

• Consider alternate arrangements for children and pets; it may be easier for them to be looked after elsewhere on moving day

• Create a simple room plan for your new property showing where furniture should go, giving removal staff clear guidance and reducing the need for rearranging heavy items later
• Keep essential items to hand, like your keys, phone, wallet, and important documents
• Assign specific responsibilities if family members are helping, ensuring everyone knows their role on moving day

Common moving day mistakes to avoid

These are some common mistakes you should avoid when moving home.

• Not contacting utility providers prior to moving house can lead to delays and backdated payments, as well as weeks without internet
• Failing to label boxes clearly can lead to chaos when unpacking. Always label boxes with their contents and the destination room to streamline the process
• Overpacking boxes may make them too heavy to lift safely and cause injury. Instead, distribute weight evenly and use smaller boxes for heavy items like books
• Leaving packing until the last minute leads to poor organisation and forgotten items

How to stay organised on moving day

Staying organised when moving house significantly reduces stress. Keep your moving day checklist accessible throughout the day, ticking off tasks as you complete them. Designate one person as the coordinator to direct removal staff and make decisions, preventing confusion and conflicting instructions.

How to keep children and pets safe when moving house

Moving house can be stressful. Consider asking family or friends to look after young children and pets elsewhere for the day. If that's not possible, designate one room as a safe space with toys, activities and refreshments, keeping them occupied and away from moving activity.

For more guidance, read our tips on moving house with a dog.

What to do after moving day

After moving house and settling into your new space, there are some jobs to tick off to finalise your move.

Register with local services and council

Register with a local GP practice as soon as possible after moving home, as you'll need to provide proof of address and identification. Find dentists, opticians and other healthcare providers in your area and register your family. Contact your local council to register for council tax, providing your completion date and previous address for accurate billing.

Update your driving licence and vehicle records

You must update your driving licence address with the DVLA within a reasonable time after moving house. You can update your details online for free on the DVLA website using your driving licence number and postcode. The process is quick and you'll receive a new licence with your updated address within a week.

Introduce yourself to neighbours

Take time to introduce yourself to neighbours and settle into your community. When buying a home for the first time, neighbours can provide valuable local knowledge about the area, recommend tradespeople and look out for your property when you’re away.

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