This UK moving house checklist for 2025 gives a step-by-step timeline from 8 weeks before your move to the first week in your new home. It covers movers, insurance, utilities, packing, meter readings, council tax, and admin, with official links to simplify every stage.
A Helpful Checklist for Student Moves: Staying Organised in 2025
Moving as a student can feel overwhelming, but a clear checklist can help you manage each step smoothly. Being organised means less stress and a more enjoyable transition to your new place.
This guide provides a straightforward timeline from about two months before your move up to the first week settled in your new accommodation. It covers essentials such as packing, arranging your move, dealing with utilities, and sorting important admin tasks.
6–8 Weeks Before You Move
Getting an early start gives you time to plan and avoid last-minute rushes. Begin by booking your moving help and starting to sort your belongings.
Arrange Your Moving Help: Depending on how much you have, consider hiring a reliable man and van service. Make sure you ask about their insurance and what it covers.
- Goods in Transit Insurance: Understand how much your possessions are covered for and any limits per item.
- Liability Protection: Confirm what happens if accidents occur during the move.
- Excess Charges: Know if you’d need to pay anything extra in case of damage.
Declutter Thoroughly: Now is a great time to sort through your stuff and decide what to take, donate, or recycle. Reducing what you move saves effort and can lower costs.
Make a Move Folder: Keep all important documents, receipts, and correspondence related to your move together—either digitally or on paper—to stay organised.
4 Weeks Before You Move
With the moving day getting closer, it’s time to handle key tasks like notifying organisations and setting up utilities.
Set Up Mail Redirection: To make sure you don’t miss post, consider arranging mail forwarding through Royal Mail.
Plan Your Internet: Whether you’re switching providers or staying with your current one, organise broadband installation or transfers early to avoid downtime.
Update TV Licence Address: You can change this online ahead of your move.
Notify Utility Companies: Give your energy and water providers your moving date so they can finalise accounts.
2 Weeks Before You Move
It’s packing time! Focus on thoughtful packing and preparing practical details.
Check Access & Parking: Arrange any needed parking permits near your current and new places to help the movers.
Start Packing Non-Essentials: Box up things you won’t need before moving day, labelling boxes clearly with rooms and contents.
Confirm Moving Times: Make sure you understand any building rules or restrictions about moving day logistics.
The Final Week
Focus on packing essentials and preparing for the move itself.
Use Up Your Frozen Food: Food spoilage won’t be covered during moving, so try to eat or give away perishable items.
Prepare an Essentials Box: Pack items like tea, snacks, basic toiletries, chargers, and important documents that you’ll want immediately.
Give Final Instructions to Movers: Share details about access, parking, and how to reach you on moving day.
Take Meter Readings: Photograph your gas, electricity, and water meters to provide accurate readings to your suppliers.
Moving Day
Stay calm and follow these practical steps to help everything go smoothly.
Photograph Meter Readings: At both your old and new places, document meter readings.
Walkthrough with Movers: Point out any fragile items and note any existing damage to avoid confusion.
Keep Valuables Close: Carry important items like passports and electronics with you.
Final Check: Do a thorough sweep of each room to ensure nothing is left behind before you hand over keys.
Admin Tasks During Your First Week
As you settle in, don’t forget these important administrative tasks to help ensure everything runs smoothly.
Government & Civic Updates:
- Register to Vote: Update your address to continue participating in elections.
- Driving Licence & Vehicle Registration: Notify DVLA of your new address online.
- Council Tax: Contact your new and old councils to set up or close accounts accordingly.
Healthcare:
- Register with local doctors, dentists, and any other healthcare providers as needed.
Banks and Insurance:
- Update your address details with your banks and insurers to ensure you receive all communications and policies remain valid.
Subscriptions & Deliveries:
- Review and update your address on any services that regularly send items to you, such as food plans, streaming, or magazines.
Common Questions About Student Moves
What is a man and van service, and when is it useful?
A man and van service offers flexible, smaller-scale moving help, ideal for student moves or smaller loads. It can be a convenient option for moving flats, a few large items, or when you need quicker or more adaptable timings.
When should I start packing for my student move?
It’s helpful to begin packing non-essentials around 2-3 weeks before your move. Start with items like out-of-season clothes, books, or decorations, saving daily essentials for last.
Where can I find free or affordable boxes for moving?
Many supermarkets and local shops have spare boxes they no longer need. Also, consider asking friends or looking for community groups online where people give away moving boxes.
How can I get rid of unwanted furniture before I move?
You might be able to arrange bulky waste collection through your local council, donate items to charities, or offer them for free or sale on community platforms to save space and effort when moving.
What do I do about council tax when I move?
Contact both your old and new local councils to update your address and organise your council tax accounts appropriately.
Ready to Organise Your Student Move?
Use this checklist to guide you step-by-step as you prepare.
