1. Hand in Your Notice
If you reside in a rental property, you should remember that you are under a lease contract with your estate agent or landlord. Make sure to read through the contract to see the timeframe for this – at times it is 1 month, and at times it may be two. If you have been residing there for no more than a year, your contract may have a break clause. Before issuing your notice, be certain of your moving date. And if you need sketch plans for your new home, you can use 3D floor plan software.
2. Declutter and Hire a Removals Company
Take this chance to begin decluttering your belongings. When you enlist a removal company, you’ll need to provide them with an estimate of the things you’ll be moving. If you don’t know where to get a removal company, visit the British Association of Removers.
You can also donate items you no longer have use for – you can also start wrapping up those nonessential things, or take some of your big belongings to storage temporarily if need be. Ensure that you have sufficient packing supplies and boxes.
3. Think About the Kids and Pets
If you have small children or pets, you may have to start thinking about school placements, or at least tell the previous school about the move. When it comes to your pets if you have to get a cattery or kennel for the moving, acquire them beforehand. Take into account how they will relocate and plan for the kids and pets on a moving day.
To learn more on how you can move with children please look at ‘How to ensure the safety of your children on a moving day!’
4. Update Your Details
Since you will be changing locations, you’ll have to update your details with different people. If you’re relocating to a new location, you will have to register with a dentist and doctor. If not possible, encompass your existing care providers in the catalogue of locations you’ll have to alter your address.
Who to notify of your address change:
- Your employer
- The local council (tax purposes)
- Your utility companies (Gas & Electric)
- Your GP & Dentist
- Your bank(s)
- The DVLA
- TV Licensing
- Electoral Roll (updating your registration)
- Your phone and internet providers
- Inland Revenue
- Your insurer (including travel, pets, and car insurance)
Ensure you have home coverage at your new place.
5. Check Your Car and Route
If the distance to your new address will be long, make sure that your car is serviced and the tyres inspected before the moving day. Verify your route and ensure there are adequate stop-offs for fuel, breaks, and buying snacks.
6. Pack Up and Shut Down
You’ll ideally want to begin packing seriously around 2 weeks beforehand. As the big day nears, you’ll want to ensure that you’ve packed everything. When you pack in advance, you’ll be calm and have more than enough time to mark the boxes with different things appropriately. You can start by taking away everything in the kitchen cabinets and defrosting the fridge. Also, don’t forget your garage and loft!
7. Tell Your Friends
You’ll want to tell all your family and friends about the new place you are moving to, and can also request aid if you need some support. Also, don’t forget to tell your soon-to-be old neighbours about your imminent move so they aren’t surprised you are gone all of a sudden.
8. Officially Confirm
Make sure that you give your estate agent or solicitor official confirmation that the move is happening as initially planned. You will want to know whether there will be any complications with the move beforehand. Confirm that everything is fine a week before you pull the trigger on your move.