A Checklist For Moving Home

The Ultimate Moving House Checklist: Your UK Guide for 2025

A good checklist is the key to staying in control of your house move, turning a potentially stressful event into a simple to-do list. The difference between a chaotic move and a smooth one often comes down to planning. Forgetting a small administrative task can lead to big headaches, from having no broadband on day one to facing unexpected costs or missing important mail.

This practical, chronological plan helps you avoid those common pitfalls. We've broken down the entire process into a clear timeline, focusing on what you need to do and when you need to do it. Updated for 2025, this guide walks you through every essential step, with direct links to official UK services to get things done right. Work through the timeline below to make sure nothing gets missed.

6–8 Weeks Before You Move

The key to a smooth move is early preparation. With around two months to go, the focus is on the big-ticket items that require booking, research, and important decisions.

Secure Your Mover: Compare quotes from removal firms or man and van services. Crucially, ask for written proof of their insurance.

• Goods in Transit: What is the total cover limit and are there any per-item caps?
• Public Liability: What is the level of cover?
• Excess: How much would you pay in the event of a claim?

Start a Major Declutter: Go room by room. Sell, donate, or recycle anything you don't want to pay to move. This will save you time and money on the day. For a comprehensive approach, check out our complete decluttering guide.

Arrange Buildings Insurance (If Buying): You must have buildings insurance in place from the day of exchange, not completion. Lenders require it, and it protects your investment. Check the Citizens Advice guidance for details.

Create a "Move File": Keep all quotes, inventories, and important documents together, either physically or digitally.

Moving in a Historic Area: If you're moving to or from a conservation area, listed building, or historic district, you may have additional considerations and restrictions to account for during your move.

4 Weeks Before You Move

As you enter the final month, the focus shifts to administration and planning the logistics for your essential services. Informing companies early can prevent delays later on.

Set Up Mail Redirection: Don't let important letters go missing. You can arrange a Royal Mail Redirection for 3, 6, or 12 months. It starts from £41.50, and concessions are available for certain circumstances.

Plan Your Broadband:

• Switching Provider? Thanks to the One Touch Switch (OTS) system, you only need to contact your new provider. They manage the entire switch for you.
• Staying with your Provider? Contact them to book a home move.

Update Your TV Licence: You can change the address on your TV Licence up to 3 months before you move. It's free and takes minutes online. For more detailed guidance, see our TV licence moving tips.

Notify Utility Providers: Give your current gas, electricity, and water suppliers your move-out date.

2 Weeks Before You Move

With the move date approaching, it's time to start the physical packing process and finalise the practical arrangements for the day itself.

Arrange Parking & Access: Check if you need to apply for a parking permit or suspension for the removal van at both your old and new address. Your local council handles this.

Begin Strategic Packing: Start boxing up non-essential items like books, out-of-season clothes, and decorative items. Label every box clearly with the room it's for and a brief summary of its contents.

Confirm Timings: If moving into or out of a flat, confirm lift bookings and loading bay access with the building management.

The Final Week

This is the final push. Concentrate on winding down your old home, packing your essentials, and preparing for moving day itself.

Run Down Your Freezer: Removal firms' insurance does not cover spoiled food. Eat what you can and defrost the freezer 24-48 hours before moving day.

Pack a "First-Night" Box: This is your survival kit. Include the kettle, tea/coffee, mugs, snacks, essential toiletries, phone chargers, basic tools, medication, and important documents. For expert tips on what to include, check our moving day survival kit guide.

Share Final Details: Give your mover clear instructions on access, parking, and a contact number for the day.

Take Final Meter Readings: On your last day, take photos (or a timestamped video) of your gas, electricity, and water meters. Submit the readings to your suppliers to close your account.

Moving Day: The Essential Checklist

The day is here. Stay calm and follow these simple steps to ensure a smooth handover and a successful start in your new home.

Photograph Meters: Take photos of the meters at your old home as you leave and at your new home as you arrive.

Supervise and Protect: Do a walkthrough with the movers to point out fragile items or pre-existing scuffs.

Keep Valuables Separate: Keep passports, jewellery, laptops, and important documents with you in your own car or bag.

Final Sweep: Before handing over the keys, do one last check of every room, cupboard, and attic space to ensure nothing is left behind.

What Admin Should I Do in the First Week?

You're in! While unpacking is a priority, it's crucial not to put off this essential post-move admin. Getting these tasks done early prevents problems down the line.

Government & Civic:

• Register to Vote: It's a legal requirement and affects your credit score. Register at your new address on GOV.UK.
• DVLA: You must update your address on your driving licence and V5C vehicle log book. It's free to do online. Fines can be up to £1,000 if you don't.
• Council Tax: Find your new local council's website and register for Council Tax. You'll also need to inform your old council that you've left.

Health:

• Register with a local GP, dentist, and optician if you've moved to a new area.
• Update your vet and your pet's microchip details.

Finance & Insurance:

• Update your address with all banks, credit card providers, and pension schemes.
• Inform your car, contents, life, and pet insurers of your new address. Your premium may change.

Subscriptions:

• Update your delivery address on accounts like Amazon, streaming services, and any food or magazine subscriptions.

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Common Moving Questions and Expert Answers

What's the difference between a 'man and van' and a 'removals company'?

The main differences are scale, cost, and service level.

• A Man and Van service is ideal for smaller moves, such as flats, students, or moving a few large items. It's generally more flexible and cost-effective, with pricing often by the hour.
• A traditional Removals Company is better suited for large house moves (3+ bedrooms). They use larger lorries and often offer comprehensive services like professional packing and unpacking, which comes at a higher price point.

How long before moving should I start packing?

The golden rule is to start earlier than you think you need to. For an average 1-2 bedroom home, you should begin packing non-essential items at least 2-3 weeks before your move date.
Start with rooms and items you use least, such as:

• Out-of-season clothing
• Books and decorative items
• Spare bedding and towels

Leave everyday essentials like kitchenware, toiletries, and work-related items until the final few days.

Where can I get free or cheap moving boxes?

You can often avoid buying expensive new boxes.

• For free boxes: Ask at local supermarkets (they have plenty of sturdy fruit and veg boxes), check community sites like Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace, or ask friends who have recently moved.
• For cheap boxes: Look for second-hand box bundles online, or buy in bulk from a self-storage facility or a dedicated moving supply website, which is usually cheaper than buying them individually.

How do I get rid of furniture and other unwanted items before I move?

Decluttering before you move saves time and money. For large items you don't want to take, you have several options:

• Council Bulky Waste Collection: Most local councils offer a service to collect large items like mattresses and sofas for a small fee. Book this well in advance.
• Charity Collection: Charities like the British Heart Foundation, Emmaus, and Sue Ryder offer free collection for furniture in good condition.
• Sell or Give Away: Use platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or Freecycle to find a new home for your items.
• (For more info, see our complete decluttering guide)

What do I do with my council tax when I move?

You must inform both your old and new council of your move. You can usually do this up to a month in advance via the council's website.

• Tell your old council you are leaving: They will close your account and send you a final bill or a refund for any overpayment.
• Tell your new council you are moving in: They will set up a new account and send you a bill for your new property.

You can find your relevant council services via the GOV.UK website. For a comprehensive guide on handling council tax during your move, read our detailed council tax moving guide.

Ready to Start Your Move?

Now that you have your complete moving checklist, it's time to find the right moving service for your needs. Whether you need a simple man and van for a small flat move or a full removal service for a large house, find your perfect moving service and get your move started with confidence.