The average person in the UK will move 8 times in their lifetime. And still, each move is a mixed bag of ‘Ooh! the GP has my old address’, ‘Ooops, the internet won’t be set up for another month’, ‘Hmm… in which box are the toothbrushes’ etc. For a smooth move into a new house, we’ve devised the ultimate move-in checklist (following our Part 1 around moving out), starting from a month before, all the way to D-day – and with a few tips on how to settle in your new home quickly.
If there is any life event that tests your organisation skills, it’s surely a move. There’s so much to think about ahead of time like changing address for all your paperwork and booking internet set-up, and so many priorities to follow once you relocate to a new house or apartment. So even if you’re the Monica of your group of friends, take a look at our relocation checklist to be sure you’re prepared each step of the way.
And if we had one piece of advice, it is to not just count on your friends to pivot your couch through the stairs, but rather hire experienced, fast local movers wherever you are in the UK to help you make this stressful day much more relaxing.
Move-in checklist
A month before the move:
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Find your internet provider and set up an appointment
Depending on where you live, getting internet access to a new home can take up to a month.
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Change address for your energy (gas, electricity) and water providers
Finding new ones can mean a lower rate at first but terminating a contract early usually comes at a cost.
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Change address for all your official paperwork
That means council tax, bank, NHS, school, your work, your insurance company etc.
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Update delivery address for all your subscriptions
If you subscribe to regular delivery or magazines, two weeks should give them enough time to update your profile and send all new items to your new address.
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Find the right movers for the day of
Check out Taskrabbit for reliable movers with a van living in your area.
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One week before the move:
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Get the keys to the new place
An obvious one but real estate companies are never in a rush to give you the keys…
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Find out where you or the movers can park the trucks
See if you can easily park in front of your current and new place for a smooth move. You might need to put up a sign to inform the neighbours.
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Get flowers or cake for your new neighbours
A small gesture can go a long way (like if you need someone to feed your cat over a weekend while you’re away…)
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Schedule a grocery delivery order to arrive the day after you move
A full fridge means one less thing to worry about.
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Get water and some snacks for the long day ahead
Also, some celebratory drinks once the last box is out of the van!
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The day you move in:
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Check that the water is running, the heat and electricity are functioning
Check the smoke alarms
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Try all the keys
Mailbox, bin storage unit, windows, garden etc.
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Unpack the bathroom and kitchen boxes first
That’s if you’ve labelled your boxes and have followed our move-out checklist!
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The first week after the move:
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Baby proof the whole place if needed.
From gates to cabinet locks, get help from a local handyman for this tedious job.
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Give the new home a deep cleaning for a fresh start
Especially if you moved on a rainy day…Get a cleaner to do a pristine job.
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Ask the neighbours when trash day is
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Repaint some walls to make the place yours
Check out our suggestions to pick the right colour for your living room.
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Start decorating to truly make it home
Hang pictures, art, shelf, and curtains. And maybe get someone to mount everything for you to minimise the holes in your walls…
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Create a nice-looking bookcase
Our 10 tips to make your home library as nice as the ones you see on Pinterest.
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Have a housewarming party and invite your new neighbours!
We’ve all heard nightmare neighbour stories. Avoid becoming one by introducing yourself! Consider changing the locks if you’re the owner
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You don’t want to take the risk of random sets of keys still owned by previous tenants.
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