Moving House Checklist — Everything You Need to Do Before, During, and After Moving Day

6–8 Weeks Before Moving Day

**Book your removal company.** Get at least three quotes from reputable firms (look for BAR — British Association of Removers — members). Removal companies book up quickly, especially for end-of-month and Friday moves. Confirm whether they provide packing materials and insurance cover.

**Give notice at your current address** (if renting). Check your tenancy agreement for the required notice period — typically one to two months. Serve notice in writing.

**Start decluttering.** Every item you don’t move is one you don’t pay to transport. Book a charity collection, arrange a car boot sale, or hire a skip for items that cannot be donated.

**Arrange buildings and contents insurance for your new property.** Buildings insurance should begin from exchange of contracts (when you become liable). Contents insurance should be in place from the day you move in.

**Notify your employer.** Arrange for your payslips and P60 to go to the new address, and update HR records.

**School places.** If you have children and are moving to a different catchment area, contact the local authority admissions team for the new area as early as possible. School places can be difficult to secure mid-year.

4–6 Weeks Before

**Begin packing non-essentials.** Books, seasonal clothing, decorative items, rarely used kitchen equipment. Label every box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to.

**Notify financial institutions:** bank and building society accounts, credit cards, mortgage lender, pension providers, SIPP and ISA providers, savings accounts.

**DVLA:** Update your driving licence address at gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence. There is no charge. You are legally required to keep your licence up to date.

**HMRC:** Update your address via the Personal Tax Account at tax.service.gov.uk. If you are self-employed, notify HMRC by 31 January following the tax year end.

**Set up Royal Mail redirection.** Apply at least five business days before your move date. Costs approximately £33–£40 for three months. This buys you time to notify everyone directly rather than relying on redirection indefinitely.

2–4 Weeks Before

**Transfer or close utility accounts:** gas, electricity, broadband and phone. Note that broadband providers typically need 30 days’ notice. Arrange new contracts at the new address; it is worth shopping around rather than auto-transferring with the same provider.

**Council tax:** Notify your current council of your move-out date and your new council of your move-in date. Do this separately — they will not communicate with each other automatically.

**Electoral Roll:** Register at the new address as soon as you move via gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will be removed from the register at your old address automatically on registration at the new one.

**TV Licence:** The TV Licence is per household, not per person. Notify TV Licensing of your new address. If you are moving out before the licence expiry date, you may be eligible for a partial refund.

The Week Before

**Confirm arrangements with your removal company** and provide them with access details for both properties.

**Pack your essentials box.** Kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, toilet roll, phone chargers, medications, a change of clothes, and important documents. This box travels with you in the car, not in the removal van.

**Clean and prepare for packing.** Defrost the freezer. Drain washing machine hoses. Disassemble large furniture that needs to be flat-packed for the move.

Moving Day

**Take meter readings at both properties** — gas, electricity, and water. Photograph them with a timestamp. This is your evidence for final billing at the old address and the start reading at the new one.

**Collect keys** from the estate agent (or solicitor, depending on local practice) only after your solicitor confirms that completion funds have been received.

**Be present for the inventory check-out** (if you are renting). Walk through with the letting agent and note any disputed items in writing.

**Photograph the condition of both properties** on the day, especially if you are renting.

After Moving

**Notify HMRC** of your new address (if not already done via the Personal Tax Account).

**Register with a new GP and dentist** as soon as possible. NHS GP practices register by catchment area.

**Update HM Land Registry.** Your conveyancer will register the transfer of ownership; confirm this has been done and request a copy of the registered title once complete.

**Update your Property Passport UK profile** with the new property address so that your property record, compliance documents, and stakeholder access are correctly attributed to your new home.