Researching Your Move
Once you found the new home and the offer has been accepted. It's time to start the moving checklist. A usual straightforward completion from now to when you move in is 8 weeks, with no complications. Ensure that all legal proceedings are in order to make a smooth transaction.
Do the research and find yourself a Conveyancing Solicitor
Do some research around choosing a mortgage, and arrange your mortgage
If you are in the market to sell your property, compare estate agents in your local area
If you have kids, do research on the schools in that area and their catchment zones
If you are in a rented house, inform your landlord of the moving date, pre-plan due to 1, 3, 6, or even 12-month contracts
Check what is covered in your contents insurance during the move, you may need to acquire some
Organisation is key, keep all your relevant files and notes in one place, create to-do lists, have all important information in one place.
Arrange a Home Survey From Us
Around a month before your move date, you should start clearing out any items you don't want to be moved to your new home. Having a good clear out will save you money on your removals. Even if you don't have a firm date yet you can still make some arrangements and we will just pencil you in for a rough date.
We will start by arranging a survey of your house to see how much needs to be moved, from there we can give an estimate of how much it will be varying on the size of the house and how far you are moving to.
Who should you inform when moving house?
Moving house can be stressful, but being prepared can make life a lot easier. It's generally a good idea to inform important companies, such as banks and utility companies, directly.
Make a list of everyone who you need to inform, and put yourself a date of when you need it done by. Below we will explain which organisations you'll need to contact and some key considerations.
Financial institutions
Banks or any credit card/lenders companies will require an up to date record of your details, which is especially important with your current account and credit card providers, which use your address as a security check to verify your identity.
Pension services
Loyalty card providers
Credit card company
Loan company
Banking and saving account providers
Monthly Bills
Many companies provide you with services that you pay a regular bill for e.g. mobile phone, broadband providers and any subscriptions you may hold. These companies will need to know your change of address, or you may miss out on your monthly subscriptions.
Home and Broadband provider
TV license
Mobile phone contract
Pet care
Personal care
Entertainment
Government Bodies
Update both your vehicle and license with the DVLA - keeping in mind you may need to hire a van to move which you need your identification for. You may need to contact HMRC to change the details of your pensions. You will need to contact the local council to get the final statement of your council tax, and you can update the electoral roll address while you're there.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Electoral Roll
Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA)
Department for Work and Pensions
Your local authority
Insurance Providers
You will need to notify your insurance providers when and where you will be moving to. See what is insured during the move as you may need to get additional insurance. Most providers will allow you to set a moving date of when the insurance changes over.
Car insurance
Building and contents insurance
Mobile phone insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Pet insurance
Utility Providers
Let these providers know the exact date of moving, take meter readings and photographic evidence of them, in both your new and old home.
Gas Provider
Water Provider
Electric Provider
Health Services
You will have to notify any medical services you currently deal with you're moving. Registering at your new local GB should be a high priority to cut down delays in your first treatment.
Local NHS Practitioner/Doctors surgery
Dental Services
Optician Services
Work and Education contacts
Your employer and your child's school will need up to date contact address details
Your employer
Schools, colleges, and educational institutions
Your companies pension fund
Leisure Activities
Keep your subscriptions informed of the change of address since they may have to contact you via mail. If your pets are microchipped it's a good time to inform the vet of the change of address.
Clubs e.g. sports teams or gyms
Monthly leisure subscriptions
Pet Microchip
Redirecting Your Mail
Depending on how long you've lived at your address, you probably have a lot of updating to do with companies and your new address details.
The Post Office has a change-of-address service that can redirect your mail to your new address. You can redirect your mail to any UK or overseas address for 3, 6, or 12 months for just £33.99.
Preparing your home for a new owner
It's helpful to provide a sheet of how to operate various systems in your house. Be sure to label keys to windows, sheds, or garage or leave them in the lock to which they open.
It's nice to move into a new clean home, why not offer the same to the new owners of your home. Mister Shine can complete a full house clean leaving the lovely old home looking stunning for viewings or the new owner.