Useful Moving Tips

Preparing for the move

• It is advisable to start packing items you won’t be needing as early as possible. Items such as seasonal clothes, books and contents of the attic are good examples.
• When packing boxes include a list of contents. Label boxes clearly with which room they are destined for/coming from.
• Now is the ideal time to have a good clear out. Consider donating items to charity shops or doing a bootfair rather that throwing out good quality items.
• Check how much notice you need to give various services and suppliers (i.e. gas, electric, telephone provider, bank, insurance companies) of your new address. A good starting point is looking at current bills and statements.
• It is worth finding out the costs of final payments in advance if you are terminating any services, so as to avoid any nasty surprises at the last minute. Similarly, check any connection charges that may arise if you are moving to a new property.
• Arrange for your post to be redirected by notifying the Post Office. There is likely to be a charge for this service.
• Gather together an ‘essentials kit’ for moving day. Useful items include:
  • Passports & important documents
  • Keys
  • Important phone numbers (estate agent, solicitors, removal firm)
  • Tea/coffee, milk, sugar, mugs & spoons
  • Bottled water
  • Plates & cutlery
  • Kettle
  • Tissues/toilet roll
  • Cleaning materials including washing up detergent and tea towel
  • Favourite toy(s) for children and food/treats
  • Dust sheets for covering the carpets in the new home
  • Bedding
  • Celebratory bottle of drink & glasses for later in the evening!

Moving Day

This can be one of the most stressful times in the whole task of selling and buying, so the key is to be prepared.

• Check inventory to make sure items included in the sale are there
• Protect carpets with coverings while moving furniture/belongings in
• Clean kitchen and bathroom
• Set up beds

It is important to remember to be patient when the day arrives to move into your new home. Remember you cannot collect the keys to your new home until your money has successfully been received by the solicitor/conveyancer acting for the existing owners of the property. This may take a few hours, particularly if monies are being transferred between different banks or building societies. It is also worth remembering that if you are involved in the chain, the buyers at the bottom end of the chain will need to complete on the sale of their properties before your sale will be completed. It is well worth arranging for your solicitor/conveyancer to advise you as soon as completion of the purchase of your new home has taken place so that you can arrange to collect the keys. Be prepared that you may not be able to get the keys to your new property until after lunchtime or mid afternoon. In this case, use those few hours to pack up the last few items, finish cleaning the property you are moving out of and ensure all appliances are switched off, or to be on hand to advise the removal firm if necessary.