20 essentials for a seamless house move

The ultimate house moving checklist

No matter whether you're buying or renting, moving into a new home is exciting, but it's also a sizable task that can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed and exhausted. With so much to consider and so many things to sort out, knowing what to prioritise can be tricky.

The best way to ensure your move goes off without a hitch is to get organised.

So, before you start buying paint samples or setting the date for your housewarming party, tick these 20 things off your to-do list...

Organise buildings insurance

Before buying a house, you'll need to arrange buildings insurance. In fact, many mortgage lenders require you to have it in place from the date of exchange. "Buildings insurance covers the bricks, mortar and windows of your home. It also covers any permanent fixtures and fittings, such as bathroom suites and kitchens," Zoopla explains.

Buyers and renters also need contents insurance, which covers everything that’s not fixed in the home, like laptops, televisions and white goods. If you already have a policy in place, then ensure you change your address with your provider and get coverage for any new belongings.

Contact utilities from your existing property

Before you leave your current home, you'll need to let your utility suppliers know you're moving and when. You can usually do this via your online account, but you can also call the companies and do it over the phone.

Confused.com recommends letting your suppliers (water, gas and electricity) know at least 48 hours before you move out. You'll also need to tell them your new address, so they can send you your final bill.

Now let's explore what to do on the day you move...

Take water and gas/electricity meter readings

It’s recommended that you provide meter readings for the house you’re leaving and for the house you’re moving into. This will ensure you’re only charged for the energy, gas and water you’ve actually used.

“If meter readings are not provided then the property utility suppliers will estimate usage based on historical readings/usage at the property from the previous provider,” Helpthemove explains. “This can often result in inaccurate bills and cause unwanted hassle correcting the bills further down the line.”

So before you vacate your current property, take a photo of each meter reading. Then, when you arrive at your new place, do the same as soon as possible, sending the results to your old and new suppliers.

Locate the fuse box and water valve

Once you’re in your new home, you should identify where your fuse box is located. This will allow you to turn the electricity on if the system trips or off in the event of an emergency. The fuse box is “usually located in the utility room, porch or cupboard under the stairs”, Zoopla says.

The same goes for your stopcock (water valve) – if there’s a leak or a burst pipe, you’ll need to be able to cut off the supply of water quickly. The water value is normally positioned under the kitchen sink.

Locate the thermostat, boiler and instruction manual

As well as seeking out your fuse box and water value, you'll also need to find the thermostat, boiler and any relevant instruction manuals. This is even more important if you're moving during a cold snap, as you'll want to ensure your boiler is working effectively.

You'll also be able to adjust the thermostat temperature and schedule, to suit your needs and lifestyle. Plus, you'll probably want a warm shower after shifting heavy boxes.

Unpack the essentials

After you've moved, you could feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of boxes and bags that need to be unpacked, so start with essential items "in the rooms you use most, such as the kitchen and bathroom", Zoopla suggests. "You can find space for the non-urgent items later."

Essentials include things like your kettle, teabags and cups, toothbrushes, toiletries, toilet paper, towels and bedding. To make it easier to find these items, pack them all in one or two boxes, clearly labelled. This will make finding essentials on the other side that little bit easier.

Child/pet-proof the property

If you have children or pets, then they will no doubt be as keen to explore their new surroundings as you are, so it's important that you make your new home child and/or pet-friendly as quickly as possible. If your new place has stairs, then install your safety gates on day one, along with any safety latches on cupboards.

If you have a dog or other pet who likes to venture outside, make sure the garden is secure with no gaps in fences or gates they could disappear through. The RSPCA recommends keeping cats inside for two weeks after moving.

Clean the essentials

No matter how clean the previous owners or tenants left your new home, you'll likely want to give everything the once over. But instead of tackling every single room on the day you arrive, just focus on the key areas at first. This includes toilets, sinks, the shower or bath and the fridge. Everything else can wait a day or two.

Let's explore the tasks you'll need to complete during your first week in your new place...

Perform a deep clean

Once you've settled in a little, you can tackle a deep clean of your new home. Moving can whip up a lot of dust, so you'll want to wipe down any shelving units, vacuum and mop your floors and ensure any cupboards, closets and drawers are free from dirt before unpacking anything.

Consider switching energy and water providers

After moving in, you'll want to get in touch with your new utility suppliers and share your details with them. They might be able to offer you a different deal, or you could also consider switching suppliers. If you don't know who your new energy supplier is, search via Find My Supplier.

"Moving home is a good time to look into new energy suppliers and deals," Zoopla says. "There’s no obligation to stay with the current supplier. And you’ll have no exit fee as you’re automatically put on a deemed contract when you move in." Zoopla recommends switching within 15 working days of moving. If you do switch, your new supplier will organise everything for you.

Set up broadband and TV

It might sound trivial when you consider all the legalities of moving house, but your place won't really feel like home until you've set up your television and broadband connection. According to USwitch, one million Brits who moved home in 2020 waited an average of eight days for their broadband to be connected.

So they suggest contacting your provider in advance to find out whether your current plan can be transferred. Some providers "require 30 days' notice while others only require two weeks". If it can't be transferred, or your current provider doesn't offer coverage in your new area, then you may need to end your contract and find a new plan.

Change the locks

This is an important one from a home safety perspective since it's impossible to know exactly who has access to your new home. "It may be that previous tenants have given copies of keys out to friends or family members, leaving your home vulnerable to intruders," says Build4Less.

So, call in a qualified locksmith as soon as possible, to ensure that only the people you want to give access to have keys to your home.

Locate window keys

Window locks are just as important as door locks as they keep intruders out, but you may find the keys have gone walkabout in a new property. It's important to locate them fairly quickly after moving in as unlocked windows may invalidate your home insurance in the case of a burglary, but being able to get out in the event of an emergency is also imperative.

If you can't find any keys, then you may need to visit your local key-cutting service to make sure you have one for every window in your home.

Check your waste and recycling collection days

There's nothing worse than an overflowing waste bin cluttering up your garden or a recycling container that's bursting to the brim. If you've moved to a different area, what's collected and how may also vary and you may need to order the correct bags, bins and boxes from your local authority.

To ensure you don't miss your waste collection days, head to the government's website and enter your postcode for an up-to-date schedule. Otherwise, you could ask a neighbour...

Meet the neighbours

Whether you share walls or a garden fence with your neighbours, it's a good idea to introduce yourself within the first week of moving in. "It’s a great way to feel part of the community right away. And you might pick up some tips about the local area," Zoopla says.

As well as finding potential new friends, being sociable with your neighbours has benefits. "You could take deliveries for each other or keep an eye on each other’s homes when you’re on holiday," suggests Zoopla.

Of course, there are plenty of other tasks to tick off during your first month in your new home...

Change your address

Once you've settled in, you'll need to inform a myriad of companies that you've moved. This includes any banks you hold accounts with, your insurance providers, your doctor's surgery and dentist and finally, your employer and HMRC for tax and payment purposes.

You'll also need to inform the DVLA and DVA if you're a driver, since your licence and vehicle registration certificate will need to be updated. Don't forget to sign up to your local electoral register, too.

Establish boundaries

If your garden fence falls down, who is responsible for fixing it? During the first few weeks in your new place, you'll want to identify which boundaries are yours. To find out, check your title deeds. “This document will typically contain a description of both your property and its surrounding boundaries," Mercers Solicitors says.

If your boundaries aren’t listed in the document, you should speak with your neighbours, who may know. If not, then you may need to hire a surveyor to carry out a report. "A surveyor will be able to use a variety of methods to determine the exact location of the boundary, including using historical records, physical features and any other distinguishing factors.”

Prioritise repairs

We know how exciting it can be when you move into a new home and you'll likely want to immediately start making it your own by changing paint colours or replacing your kitchen. However, it's actually a good idea to live in a house for a short time, to establish what works (and what doesn't) and identify how you use the spaces on a daily basis.

So, instead of getting started with non-essential DIY, prioritise repairs. Got mould growing in the bathroom, cracks in your walls, a leaky tap or a faulty wardrobe door? Then get these elements fixed before you do anything else.

Check the loft, garage and any sheds

As well as the obvious spaces in your new home, you'll want to explore lesser-used areas, such as the loft, garage and shed. This is a good way to identify any issues, such as missing roof tiles or a faulty shed lock.

You'll be able to clear out any junk or belongings left behind by the previous owner or tenant, too, and you might just find paint tins, tiles or carpets that could help you with future renovations.

File legal paperwork

After the dust has settled, you'll likely be left with a heap of paperwork, including correspondence from solicitors, contracts and Land Registry title deeds, which will be required if you move home in the future. It's a good idea to file paperwork together and store it in a safe place.

If you’ve bought your first home, then there are other legalities you might want to get in order. “Think about making a will to ensure your assets are distributed how you’d want them to be if something ever happens to you,” Unbiased suggests.