Moving House Checklist: The Complete UK Checklist
Moving house can feel like there are a hundred things to remember at once. This complete UK moving house checklist takes you through what to do before, during and after your move, so you can stay organised and avoid those last-minute surprises.
Work through the checklist in order, tick off anything you’ve already completed and concentrate on the jobs that apply to your move. If you’re starting later than eight weeks before moving day, don’t panic — just begin with the most urgent tasks.
Moving House Checklist at a Glance
Start Here
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
This is the time to get the big decisions organised. You don’t need to start packing everything yet, but getting quotes, decluttering and creating a plan now can make the weeks ahead much easier.
☑ Create a moving folder for important documents and information
☑ Set a realistic moving budget
☑ Start getting quotes from removal companies and check typical UK removal costs
☑ Decide whether you’ll use professional removers or move yourself
☑ Check whether you need storage between properties
☑ Start decluttering room by room
☑ Sell, donate or recycle things you don’t want to move
☑ Make a rough inventory of larger furniture and belongings
☑ Check whether large furniture will fit into your new home
☑ Start collecting boxes and packing materials
☑ Make a list of important dates and deadlines
6 Weeks Before Moving Day
With the basic plan in place, start making bookings and packing the things you won’t need before the move.
☑ Book your preferred removal company when your date is confirmed
☑ Check your home insurance arrangements for moving day
☑ Start packing seasonal and rarely used belongings
☑ Label boxes with both their contents and destination room
☑ Create a basic room plan for your new home
☑ Measure large furniture and key spaces in the new property
☑ Use up food and household supplies you don’t want to move
☑ Keep important paperwork somewhere safe and accessible
☑ Make a list of everyone who will need your new address
Time to Get Organised
4 Weeks Before Moving Day
The move is getting closer, so now is a good time to deal with address changes, utilities and the practical arrangements that are easy to forget.
☑ Arrange broadband or internet service for your new home
☑ Contact your energy supplier about the move
☑ Check what you need to do about your water account
☑ Start updating organisations with your new address where appropriate
☑ Arrange Royal Mail redirection if you want it
☑ Check your council tax arrangements
☑ Review home and contents insurance for the new property
☑ Tell your employer about your change of address
☑ Arrange childcare or pet care for moving day if needed
☑ Book time off work for the move if necessary
☑ Check parking arrangements for the removal vehicle at both properties
Who Should You Notify When Moving House?
Your address is connected to more accounts and organisations than you might realise. Keeping a master list makes it much easier to see who you’ve already contacted and who is still outstanding. Use our complete UK change of address checklist to make sure you don’t miss anyone.
2 Weeks Before Moving Day
By now, most of the planning should be complete. Concentrate on packing, confirming arrangements and making sure nothing important has been overlooked.
☑ Continue packing room by room
☑ Clearly label fragile boxes
☑ Separate valuable items and important documents
☑ Arrange for any final cleaning you need
☑ Confirm arrangements for children and pets
☑ Check key collection arrangements
☑ Make sure you’ve updated important address details
☑ Return borrowed items and collect anything you’ve lent out
☑ Start emptying and defrosting any freezer food you won’t move
☑ Make a list of final jobs for your old property
Nearly There
The Final Week Before Moving
☑ Prepare a first-night box using our moving house packing checklist
☑ Keep medicines somewhere easily accessible
☑ Put chargers and important electronics together
☑ Keep passports and important documents with you
☑ Confirm the removal company’s arrival time
☑ Charge your mobile phones and power banks
☑ Prepare snacks and drinks for moving day
☑ Follow our moving house cleaning checklist and make sure you have cleaning supplies available
☑ Set aside tools you may need when you arrive
☑ Check you know where and when to collect your new keys
☑ Make sure nothing important has accidentally been packed
What to Put in Your First-Night Box
Pack this separately and keep it with you rather than burying it in the removal van. You’ll appreciate having the essentials immediately available when you arrive.
The Big Day
Moving Day Checklist
Moving day can get hectic quickly. Keep your essentials, documents and valuables with you and do one final check of the property before leaving.
☑ Photograph meter readings for your records
☑ Keep keys, documents, valuables and medicines with you
☑ Check cupboards, wardrobes, lofts, garages and sheds
☑ Check behind doors and inside kitchen appliances
☑ Make sure all windows and doors are secure
☑ Turn off anything that needs to be switched off
☑ Remove rubbish and complete any final cleaning
☑ Keep your phone charged and accessible
☑ Make sure the removal team has the correct destination address
☑ Complete one final walk-through before leaving
☑ Hand over keys as arranged
Keep the things you’ll need during the move separate from your main boxes. Our Moving Day Essentials Checklist covers what to keep with you, including documents, chargers, cleaning supplies, food and drinks, basic tools and your first-night essentials.
When You Arrive at Your New Home
☑ Photograph the readings for your records
☑ Check that utilities are working
☑ Locate the stopcock, fuse box and meters
☑ Check the property for any immediate problems
☑ Direct boxes to the correct rooms
☑ Assemble essential beds first
☑ Unpack your first-night box
☑ Check doors and windows lock correctly
☑ Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where fitted
☑ Make sure children and pets have a safe space
☑ Keep important documents together while unpacking
Settling In
After You’ve Moved
The boxes may be inside, but there are still a few important jobs worth completing before you can properly relax.
☑ Make sure your new council tax account is arranged
☑ Finish any outstanding address changes
☑ Check your Royal Mail redirection is working if arranged
☑ Register with local healthcare providers if required
☑ Update delivery addresses saved with online retailers
☑ Check insurance details reflect your new property
☑ Work through unpacking one room at a time
☑ Dispose of or recycle unwanted packing materials
☑ Keep important moving documents and receipts somewhere safe
Moving House Checklist FAQs
When should I start preparing to move house?
Around eight weeks before moving day gives you plenty of time to declutter, compare removal options and start organising the practical details. If you have less time, prioritise bookings, packing, utilities and important address changes first.
What should I do first when moving house?
Once you have a likely moving date, create a plan, work out your budget, compare removal options and begin decluttering. Starting with these larger jobs makes packing and the final weeks much easier to manage.
Who do I need to tell when I move house?
Your list can include banks, insurers, utility providers, your local council, employer, DVLA, healthcare providers, broadband and mobile providers, pension companies, schools and subscription services. Keeping a master address-change checklist makes this much easier.
What should I keep with me on moving day?
Keep important documents, keys, medicines, valuables, phones and chargers with you. A separate first-night box containing toiletries, drinks, snacks, bedding and other immediate essentials can also save you from searching through boxes after a long day.
Move Without Mayhem
Want a Printable Version of This Checklist?
Get our free printable UK moving house checklist and tick off each job as you go, from 8 weeks before your move right through to moving day and settling into your new home.
Get the Free Moving Checklist →Complete Moving House Toolkit
Want Everything Organised in One Place?
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View the Complete Moving Toolkit →Digital PDF • Print at home • Designed for UK movers