Moving home can be a stressful time for many but forgetting to do some simple things can make it even worse.
From organising moving vans to changing your address on everything, the to do list can seem endless when starting over some place new. Whether you're moving to a dream home or somewhere more affordable though then it's still important to remember the same kinds of things.
Packing the right way, making sure pets are safe in transit and informing your utility providers that you won't be living there any more are all things to keep in mind. But other things, such as failing to inform the government of changes, could land you in trouble - and add £1,000 on to your moving costs.
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Bettina Faull, housing expert and sales manager at Cala homes has put together some of the essential things to remember when moving home, whether you are renting or buying.
Pack correctly and effciently
Instead of being overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have, it is better to see this as an opportunity to declutter. If it doesn’t spark joy and it isn’t useful then it is best to either be donated, scrapped or sold.
A great way to do this is by splitting the packing into essentials and non-essentials. For example, you may have books, DVDs, board games and seasonal clothing which are not part of your every day, pack these first. This will allow you to start well in advance of moving day and will mean you know which boxes have the essentials in when it is time to start the unpacking process in the new house.
When it comes to packing the boxes remember these two rules:
- Heavier items at the bottom of boxes, while lighter items should be at the top.
- No empty spaces in your boxes as this can cause the contents to move around too much.
Be mindful of your pets
Pets are creatures of habit; they enjoy their familiar scents and routine. Moving house is an upheaval of this, meaning it can be a stressful time for pets. For dogs, if you’re moving close enough, make sure you take them to see the new area and allow them to pick up the scents of the neighbourhood, this will ensure the space isn’t entirely unfamiliar to them come moving time.
Cats should be kept indoors for at least 2-3 weeks after moving home so they can establish where they are returning to when they go exploring. When you begin to let your cat outdoors again, spend time with them in the garden first so they begin to recognise surroundings and associate them with your family.
Also remember to update the address in your pet’s microchip, did you know that failing to update your pet's microchip address could result in a hefty fine? By law all dogs, over eight weeks old, must have a microchip registered with a valid database or owners risk a £500 fine and prosecution.
If you are moving out of your local area you will also need to change vets and inform the current one you will be moving too, you will also need to give the new address to your pet insurance provider.
Inform your utilities
The first thing you will need to do is contact your suppliers. If you are moving locally, you may be able to transfer your account and balance to the new property. This is usually the best option as it will avoid having to pay any exit fees, however if this isn’t the case you will need to inform them of your moving date and new address. This will allow them to create a closing bill, and either inform you of any debit amount owed on the account or refund a credit amount.
When it is time to move out, make sure the last thing you do as you leave your old property is take your final meter reading for gas, electric and water. You may be asked to prove the readings if there is a dispute with the new owners.
Don’t forget to inform the relevant Government bodies
Failing to update your address with many if not all government bodies is a crime and may result in a fine. For example, if a driver fails to notify the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority) of changes to their permanent address they could face a fine of up to £1000.
Another example, not paying your TV licence could incur a fine up to £1000 too, and even though you may still be paying the bill, if you fail to change the address you will technically not have a licence at your current property. Contact all the relevant government bodies and change your address.
The main contacts to consider are those below:
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
- Electoral roll
- TV Licence
Let your workplace know
If you are moving far away from your current role and remote options are not available, remember to consider your notice period when planning to tell your job. Check your contract and see the length of notice to properly time when you hand in your resignation.
If, however you are moving close by or are fully remote then you will only need to inform them of your address change. Ask if they will be informing your pension provider if it is a workplace pension, or for the relevant contact to change the details yourself.
Another thing to consider is time off to help to move house. It is likely you will need to take some time off work to move house and settle into your new property. Make sure you give the expected notice and have accrued enough time to take the needed amount off.
Register for local health services
If you are moving to a house in a different area then you will need to register or put your name down for a dentist as soon as possible. Many dentists currently have long waiting lists for NHS patients so it’s important you do this as soon as everything with move has been confirmed.
You can see dentists in your new area here. However, this isn’t always kept up to date with which practices are accepting new NHS patients, so make sure you contact and ask, and don’t just assume.
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