The only moving house checklist you need in 2023!

Moving house is one of the most overwhelming and stressful experiences we can go through in our lives. Some people are rocks they move once or twice in their lifetime, and some people are moving mad and do it every year, whatever your preference Relo has the only moving house checklist for you to use this year!

Whether you are moving to live in a rented room or moving to your very first home this checklist has been intended to support you.

Relo is here to guide you through your move and make it easy. 

Key Things to Remember

• Contact the DVLA to change your driving licence and change the address on your Vehicle Registration Form.
• Contact the HMRC and update your address. This is an easily forgotten step.
• Register for the GP in your new area.
• Recycle and reuse all packing supplies.
• Label everything! The organisation is key!
• Register to vote at your new address and register your household with your council.
• TV licence -redirect it since it won’t automatically change to your new property.

Packing

All must go, it would help if you decluttered; it’s a lot easier to get rid of things you don’t need at your new place before you get there. If you struggle with getting rid of your belongings check out our blog for some decluttering tips. 

Supplies

Let’s recycle and reuse, you will be surprised how easy it is, go to any local shop, supermarket, or business, and ask if they have any old boxes that are going to the bin, normally shops will love to get rid of their empty boxes, especially Lidl or Aldi. If not try recycling friends, family, and colleagues’ boxes, shoe boxes or plastic bags, you will be doing them a great help.

Top 12 supplies you will need:

1. Cardboard boxes
2. Bubble wrap/tissue paper
3. Plastic bags
4. Bin bags
5. Furniture covers
6. Plastic clothing covers
7. Brown tape
8. Scissors
9. Foam edge protectors
10. Black marker pen 
11. “Fragile” tape
12. Rope or cable ties

Essential List

Make sure you keep these essential items separate and on your person on the big day, you don’t want to stress and end up rummaging around boxes. 

1. Important documents (e.g., passports, marriage licenses, birth certificates, any records containing bank account information)
2. Credit cards/cash
3. Medication
4. Phone and charger
5. Laptop and charger
6. Toilet paper
7. A change of clothes (one for each member of your household)
8. Snacks and water (for everyone even the dog)
9. Jewellery
10. Torch
11. Tape measure
12. Toolbox
13. Bin bags
14. Paper towels
15. Any other valuables, heirlooms, or irreplaceable items

If required pack a bag or box that is full of your essentials, so that you know where they are if you needed to grab them quickly and remember to label the box!

Moving

The tips and tricks so you do not get overwhelmed.

• Organise the van. Instruct the packing of your moving van strategically – since your boxes are all labelled, you will be able to pack them in the van in sections so that when you get to your new place, you know exactly what goes where and when. 
• Arrange your moving company. The best trick is to start packing and try to figure out how much you have that needs to be transported via van. Can some of it go in your car? Or a friend’s car? Remember parking, what are the parking restrictions on your new or old road? Where can the van park whilst someone unloads your furniture?
• Moving insurance. Buy moving insurance to cover your possessions during the move but do your research first to find the best deal.
• Your vehicle. Make sure your car is serviced and checked so that you can trust that nothing will happen during your move.

 Administration Tasks

The ones we always forget.

An important task that no one wants to do is to inform all providers about your change of address.

1. Internet company
2. Utility companies (This will need to be done with at least 48 hours’ notice)
   • Gas
   • Electric
   • Water
3. Insurance
4. Post. Arrange a post redirection with the Royal Mail.

If necessary, organise these:

• Childcare or pet care
• Time off work
• Storage. Does it all fit in the new home? If not book a storage unit until you have either decluttered, put-up furniture in the new house or found the space once all the boxes have gone.

People renting remember:

• A landlord inspection -arrange this for when you leave your old property, this can help with the deposit repayment. 
• Take pictures of how you left the place, for insurance and deposit purposes. 

Moving house can be overwhelming but once you organise everything, like when you will pack, do the admin, and arrange removal it can be a smooth transition. Just remember not everything has to be done the day you move.

Relo provides beautiful, luxury rooms for rent in Hereford, Gloucester, Worcester, or Cheltenham, check them out now by going on our rent a room page. Relo also doesn’t ask for a deposit so you have that extra bit of support. Relo offers a same-day move-in scheme, once you have found a room you love and your application has been approved you can move in as soon as you like.