Essential Checklist for Your House Move

A UK house move involves dozens of parallel tasks spread across several weeks, and it is surprisingly easy for something critical — redirecting your post, noting meter readings, or confirming a removal booking — to slip through the gaps at the worst possible moment. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, having a staged plan organised by timeline turns an overwhelming list into a manageable sequence of steps.

Key points

• Royal Mail Redirection takes at least five working days to activate and should be set up at least two weeks before moving day; standard one-month redirection starts from £33.99 (check Royal Mail for current prices).
• Utility suppliers need a meter reading on the actual day you leave your current property and the day you arrive at your new one — not just a phone call in the weeks before.
• Standard contents insurance policies may not automatically cover belongings during transit; confirm coverage with your insurer or check the removal company's goods-in-transit insurance limit before moving day.
• The DVLA requires you to update your driving licence address after moving; driving with an incorrect licence address is technically an offence under section 99 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
• Completion day in a chain is rarely on a fixed schedule — keys are typically not released until solicitors confirm funds have cleared, often in the early-to-mid afternoon, so plan removal access accordingly.

The master moving checklist

8–12 weeks before moving day

• Research and obtain at least three written quotes from removal companies; check whether they hold membership of the British Association of Removers (BAR) or the National Guild of Removers & Storers (NGRS).
  
• Decide whether you need temporary storage — for example if there is a gap between vacating your current property and completing on the new one.
  
• Begin decluttering: sell, donate, or arrange a house clearance for large quantities of unwanted items.
  
• Notify your mortgage lender, insurance providers, and financial institutions of your expected new address.
  
• If you are a tenant, review your lease notice period and serve written notice in the correct form to avoid liability for additional rent.
  

4–6 weeks before moving day

• Confirm your removal booking in writing; clarify start time, number of vans, whether packing materials are included or charged separately, and what items are excluded.
  
• Set up Royal Mail Redirection — allow at least five working days for activation; consider a 12-month redirect as a safety net for overlooked correspondents.
  
• Notify: employer (payroll), HMRC, DWP (if applicable), pension providers, GP and dentist, banks and building societies, subscription services, TV Licensing, and any direct-debit creditors.
  
• Contact your current energy suppliers to advise of your moving date and arrange account closures; research supply options at the new property.
  
• Arrange buildings insurance to start from exchange of contracts if you are buying — most mortgage lenders require this.
  
• If you have children, begin school transfer paperwork with your local authority.
  

1–2 weeks before moving day

• Confirm the completion date and expected key-release time with your conveyancer.
  
• Pack non-essential items and label each box clearly by destination room and broad contents.
  
• Prepare a dedicated moving-day box with essentials: kettle, phone charger, medication, important documents, cleaning supplies, toilet roll, a change of clothes, and snacks.
  
• Take dated photographs of meter readings at your current property.
  
• Defrost the freezer and disconnect the washing machine and dishwasher, or confirm with the removal company whether disconnection is within their scope.
  
• Return library books, collect items left for repair, and check loft, garage, and garden for anything left behind.
  

On moving day

• Take final meter readings at the property you are leaving and photograph them with a timestamp.
  
• Do a last walk-through of every room, cupboard, loft hatch, outbuilding, and garden before the van departs.
  
• On arrival, take meter readings immediately at your new property.
  
• Confirm receipt of all keys, fobs, alarm codes, and operating manuals for appliances left behind.
  
• Locate the stopcock, fuse box or consumer unit, and boiler controls at the new property.
  
• Note any discrepancies in the property's condition compared with what was agreed at exchange.
  

Within 2 weeks of moving in

• Update your driving licence address with the DVLA via GOV.UK (free online service).
  
• Update your V5C vehicle registration certificate via GOV.UK.
  
• Register with a local GP and dentist.
  
• Register to vote at your new address via GOV.UK (takes approximately five minutes).
  
• Notify your local council of your move for Council Tax purposes.
  
• Update pension providers and any outstanding applications or accounts with your new address.
  

What to ask a removal company before booking

Use these questions to compare quotes on a like-for-like basis:

• What is included in the quoted price: packing, unpacking, disassembly, and reassembly of furniture?
• What is explicitly excluded — pianos, large gym equipment, garden machinery, or hazardous materials?
• What goods-in-transit insurance does the company carry, and what is the per-item limit and claims process?
• Is the price calculated by hourly rate, fixed quote, or volume?
• What happens if completion is delayed and the removal team cannot gain access on the agreed day?
• Is the company a member of BAR or NGRS, both of which offer independent dispute resolution?
• Will a surveyor visit to assess volume, or is the quote produced from an online form only?
• Is VAT included in the quoted price?

When to get professional help

For most moves, the key professional decision is choosing the right removal company. However, a few situations warrant additional specialist input:

• Valuable or fragile items — antiques, artwork, pianos, or specialist equipment require explicit confirmation that the removal company has the experience and appropriate insurance coverage
• Large properties — insist on a pre-move survey visit rather than accepting a volume estimate from an online form; reputable companies will offer this as standard for larger moves
• Landlords and tenants — an independent inventory clerk provides a neutral, timestamped record of a property's condition at check-in and check-out, protecting both parties from deposit disputes

How Housey can help

Housey connects homeowners with vetted removal companies, storage providers, and inventory clerks for every stage of a move. You can compare quotes and check credentials in one place — particularly useful when coordinating multiple services around a tight completion timeline.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book a removal company?

For a standard move, aim to book at least four to six weeks ahead. Peak moving periods — school summer holidays, the end of March, and school half-terms — fill up quickly. For a complex, long-distance, or large-volume move, eight weeks or more gives greater flexibility to compare quotes from BAR or NGRS-member companies and negotiate terms.

What happens if my completion date changes after I have already booked removals?

Most reputable removal companies will attempt to accommodate a date change, but this is not guaranteed during peak periods. Always check the amendment and cancellation policy before confirming a booking. Some BAR-member firms include a degree of date flexibility as standard; others charge a fee for late changes. Ask specifically about this before you commit.

Do I need to tip my removal team?

There is no obligation to tip, but it is common practice when the team has done a good job — especially on a long or physically demanding move. A small gesture such as cash, food, or drinks is usually appreciated but never expected. Tips are entirely at your discretion.

Should I pack myself or pay the removal company to pack?

Self-packing reduces cost but means you carry liability for breakages in boxes you packed yourself. Removal-company packing is more expensive but typically covered by their insurance policy. Many homeowners take a hybrid approach: the removal company packs fragile and high-value items while the homeowner handles the rest to manage cost.

Sources and further reading

• Royal Mail Redirection service — Royal Mail
• Change the address on your driving licence — GOV.UK
• Register to vote — GOV.UK
• Council Tax: moving to a new address — GOV.UK
• British Association of Removers — British Association of Removers