Moving Home Checklist

4-6 Months Before

If you have found your new home and your offer has been accepted then it is time to start your moving house checklist.

On average, it can take 4 to 6 months to complete your house move and sometimes longer depending on how long your purchase chain is.

• Find a solicator to carry out searches.
• Find a mortgage broker to find the best mortgage deals.
• Create a full list of your personal items using Belongings Home Inventory App or use our free home inventory template.
• Find a company to carry out a RICS Condition, HomeBuyer Report or a full structural survey depending on the age of your new property.

2 Months Before

At this point many of the searches should have been completed by your solicator and you will have a good idea if you want to continue with your house move.

You should decide on what you want to take to your new home and where you will put your items. Decluttering your home can be a fun experience and a floor plan of your new home may help.

• Confirm the date of your home move. This can be difficult and often changes as the process progresses. It's important to keep everyone involved updated if the dates change.
• Give notice to your landlord (if you're renting).
• Create a list of items in each room you want to keep, sell or donate. It will save you a lot of time and money if the number of items you're packing and moving to your new home is reduced.
• Research and book a removal company. They will likely ask for the total value of your contents insurance. Our app can help you calculate this value or you can use our Free Home Inventory Template.

One Month Before

You can now start packing your non-essential items. Start with things at backs of cupboards; back of wardrobes etc.

Pack light items like bedding in big boxes and heavy items in smaller boxes. This will make it easier to move boxes and not break your back in the process.

• Buy boxes in bulk.
• Start packing non-essential items.
• Update your home inventory app as you pack.

Two Weeks Before

You should start packing the majority of your belongings preventing last minute panic packing.

It can take a while for internet providers to connect your new home. start researching internet providers for the best speeds and process to help create a seemless transition.

• Confirm final details with your removal company.
• Pack room by room, updating your home inventory app as you go.
• Contact your utility suppliers. Let your utility suppliers know that you're planning to move out. Include electricity, gas, phone and broadband suppliers.

One Week Before

Hopefully the majority of the packing has been complete and you only have big items left like TVs, Washing Machines etc.

• Purchase TV Boxes for safe transport of your TVs.
• Arrange for pet and child care for the moving day if necessary.
• Redirect your post to be forwarded to the new home address.
• Clear out your loft, shed, and other outside spaces.

The Night Before

The night before the big day. Take it easy and rest up, you've deserved it. Perhaps a takeaway to minimise any cleaning.

• Pack your essential items for the moving day in an easy access bag (e.g. toothbrush, nappies, phone charger, toilet roll, kettle, milk, tea, coffee, temporary furniture).
• Disconnect and pull out your white good appliances e.g Washing Machines, Dishwashers, Dryers.
• Put together a small toolkit including a small knife and scissors for opening boxes on arrival at your new home.
• Defrost your freezer.

Moving Day Checklist

The big day is finally here! Wake up early and do any last minute cleaning. Removal Companies start early and can usually load their vans quickly.

• Take final meter readings for your gas, electric and water.
• Instruct your removals team and keep important documents with you.
• Do a final check of your home before leaving.
• Use Belongings Home Inventory App to ensure all your items are accounted for.

After Moving Day

• Take meter readings of your new home.
• Unpack essentials first.
• Set up utilities and internet.
• Make sure you have the keys to every door, window and cupboard and that they are working.
• Find out what day your bins are collected.
• Notify your workplace of your new address.