Top Tips For Moving House
The day’s almost upon you - that exciting, life-changing, exhausting day. There are so many different things to remember when moving house, which can make it a pretty stressful experience. To help you get through it, we’ve put together a checklist for anyone moving into a new house. Use the checklist to tick off all the different aspects of your move and de-stress the day. What’s more, by hiring a Zipcar, you can do the move in one go.
Pre-moving Checklist
Decide on a Moving Date
One of the first things to do when moving house is decide when you’re actually going to move. You’ll want to plan the day well in advance so you have enough time to prepare. For house buyers, once the paperwork is complete, your estate agent will work with you to secure a moving date. If you’re renting, you might want to make the process easier for yourself and move in over several days. Your rental agent will tell you if a transitional move is possible.
Notify Your Landlord (If You’re Renting)
If you’re renting, you’ll need to inform your current landlord in good time if you intend to end your existing contract. The last thing you want is the expense of rent and mortgage payments at the same time. Of course, whether or not you can terminate a contract early depends on the specific terms and conditions. You may be unable to cancel the contract before the end date.
Get in Touch With Utility Providers
Make sure to contact any utility providers and let them know about your move. Otherwise, you might end up paying for your old home’s bills. A crucial thing to remember when moving house is to take a final reading and picture of the meter on the day you leave. This way, you won’t be overcharged in your final bill. Make sure you take meter readings at the new property, too. By taking accurate readings on the day of your move, you can prevent estimated readings on your first bill. If you want to stay with your provider, they might even be able to help you transfer your account to the new property. For example, phone and broadband suppliers should be able to set up services in your new home. Give them plenty of notice though, as this takes some time. You’ll probably be left without internet at first, so it’s best to be prepared.
Let People Know You’re Moving
We’re not just talking about friends and family - or your utility providers - there’s plenty of other people that need to know about your change of address. You will need to update your information with various local and national organisations.
- Employer
- GP & Dentist
- Bank
- TV licensing
- Local council - to pay your council tax
- Insurance providers - home, contents, car, etc.
- Electoral roll - so you can vote
Arrange a Mail Redirection Service
After moving house, you run the risk of mail flying around the place - especially frustrating if you’re expecting an important letter. One of our top tips when moving house is to sign up for the Royal Mail’s redirection service. The service diverts any misguided mail from your old address to your new home. Not only does this save you the pain of missing out on mail, but it also minimises the risk of identity theft. You can choose from 3, 6, or 12 month packages via their website.
Create or Ask For a Briefing Sheet
The first few days or weeks in your new home are a learning process - made easier by a briefing sheet. A briefing sheet includes all the minor but important details about a house, including info on setting the alarm and boiler. If you’re already a homeowner, why not create a briefing sheet for future inhabitants? Quick and easy to make, it’s a formality that can go a long way and make a real difference to the person or people moving in. When moving house, we recommend asking the seller for a briefing sheet - you could even include it in the purchasing agreement. We also recommend labelling any keys or leaving them in their relevant locks. Ask the seller to do the same - trust us, it’s a key part to a seamless move.
Find a Moving Van or Vehicle
A vehicle is a must when moving house. If you’re moving more than just a few boxes, you’ll need something bigger than your everyday car, preferably a van. With vans and smaller vehicles available in our fleet, we’ve got you covered. Rent a Zipcar on move day for maximum convenience. We’re cheaper than your average moving company, and we cover the costs of fuel, insurance, and congestion charges. If you choose to work with a moving company, it’s a good idea to ensure they survey the area. This will make them aware of the need for a parking permit (which can cost extra), as well as local side streets, narrow streets, or anything else that could hinder them. You should also find out if the company’s policy comes with insurance. Most removal companies also require an inventory of your belongings to secure a booking.
Why not make moving day easier for yourself and book a Zipcar flex? With flex, you can book a one-way ride. Load up, get to your place, and as long as you’re in the Zipzone, you can leave the car once you've unpacked.
Clear Out Anything You Don’t Need
Less clutter makes the moving process that extra bit easier. If you can bear to part with anything you no longer use, moving is a great opportunity to do so. Secondhand sites such as Facebook Marketplace and eBay are perfect for finding new owners for unwanted but otherwise useful goods. You’re bound to find takers for any furniture or appliances, and you’ll probably pocket a bit of cash in the process. Charity shops are also a good way to support local causes without the need to take a trip to the tip.
Label Your Boxes
You’ve done it. You’ve moved all of your possessions into your new home. There’s just one problem - every box looks the same, and there’s no way to tell what’s inside without ripping them open. If you’re wondering how to pack when moving house, don’t overlook the importance of labels. Labelling prevents unnecessary stress by making the unpacking process more manageable. Label each box by room or item, and mark them ‘fragile’ or ‘this way up’ if it’s important to the contents. Make sure to set any essentials aside, too. We’re talking about the kettle, mugs, tea, phone and laptop chargers, bedding and, of course, your TV and remote. Pack these sensibly and keep them close to hand, so you’ve got something to enjoy on your first night.
Organise Child or Pet Care
Moving house is stressful enough - you don’t need the extra burden of a child or pet causing mayhem. That’s why, if it’s possible, we recommend organising child or pet care. You can focus on moving before introducing them to their new home later. We also recommend packing their things into an essentials box. Whether this includes toys and PJs for your kids, or a bed and bowl for your dog, it’ll help them feel comfortable in their new home. A top tip when moving house with kids is to tell them early on, giving them time to digest the news. Let them focus on the positives of the move, such as a bigger room or great location, and involve them in the packing process. It can help them feel more involved and relaxed about the change.
First Day Checks
Once you’ve moved everything into your new home, you should make a few checks to ensure the property is ready for day to day life. As you settle in, you can follow this list of things to do when moving into a new house.
- Check all of the utilities work, including water and gas.
- Ensure you’ve got all the keys you need, such as those for the back door, garage, and windows.
- Find out when bin day is so you don’t end up with overflowing rubbish. You can usually find this out by looking up information about your local council.
- Inspect the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they work.
- Locate the meters and take a picture. This way, you won’t pay for anyone else’s bills.
And Relax...
Finally, at the end of moving day, reward yourself and unwind in your new home. Pop on the TV and discover your new local takeaways - anyone for a pizza? Don’t stress about unpacking or sorting everything on the first day. Ultimately, there’s lots of things to do when moving house, and you can’t complete everything in a day.
