Moving home checklist
Are you getting ready to move to a new rental property, or even the exciting prospect of buying your own home? Then you're going to need to know what to do when moving house! Keep reading for a full moving house checklist.
Moving home doesn't have to be overwhelming. Follow our timeline checklist and tick off tasks as the weeks go by leading up to the big move.
We've broken down all the essentials you need to complete at least eight weeks before your moving date.
8 weeks before you move
Plan and prepare!
When it comes to what to do when moving house, the most important thing is to leave yourself enough time to plan. Ahead of your move, getting all your ducks in a row will help reduce stress later down the line.
Write down your moving house checklist, and put it in a folder with all your moving home documents — that way everything you need is kept safe and handy together.
It's also a good idea to review your home insurance policy to ensure that it covers your new home from the day you move in.
Start searching for removal companies to see what they offer. You can increase your chances of finding the best deal by starting earlier.
Sort and save
Moving house is a great opportunity to get rid of unwanted items and make some extra money by selling them through eBay, Vinted or Shpock.
Remember to stock up on packing materials such as boxes and bubble wrap. Ask around your local shops to check whether they have any spare boxes.
Who doesn't need extra cash when moving?
4 weeks before you move
Redirecting mail
You might be wondering, how do I redirect my mail? It's simple. Head to the Royal Mail Redirection site and tell them your new address.
Tell everyone you're moving
A lot of people are going to need to know about your change of address.
Make sure you tell your bank, doctor, dentist, and (if you have pets) your vet will also need to be notified. And if you're moving out of a rental property, don't forget to notify your landlord in writing.
Remember to tell these very important people you're moving:
Household utilities
Financial companies
Insurance services
Work and education
3 weeks before you move
Book your removal van
Make sure you check parking restrictions and if necessary, order permits for your removal van if you aren't moving somewhere with a drive.
Get snacking
It's no good having loads of open, half-used packets of food on moving day. In the weeks before moving out, keep your energy up and tackle an essential moving task at the same time – start snacking!
Get to work using up items in the fridge, especially frozen food as these items do not travel well.
2 weeks before you move
Label all boxes
Make sure you check all the nooks and crannies of your soon-to-be old home for forgotten treasures. Label all boxes to give yourself an easy time on the other side!
Don't forget to check the following:
1 week before you move
Prepare a package containing all the items you'll need as soon as you arrive at your new home. Keep it with you so it doesn't get lost among the boxes in the removal van.
Here are a few things we couldn't go without on our first night in a new home:
Kitchen essentials
Living room essentials
Bedroom essentials
Bathroom essentials
Other accessories
And just when you think you've told everyone you're moving, don't forget about:
The day before you move
Make sure you keep all important documents on hand so you can complete a change of address for all your accounts, and that you've packed all your essentials.
Remember to leave yourself plenty of time to defrost your freezer before the move too - you don't want it to leak!
Moving day has arrived!
Take pictures of your gas and electricity meter readings at your old place and your new home.
Contacting your energy company might not be top of the list to do on moving day, but it's a great way to log this information. Let your energy supplier know so that you get correct billing for both places.
Tell all the utility companies that supply your new property that you're the new tenant - even if you're the owner-occupier, this is the term they'll use when updating the account.
If you're an existing EDF customer and are staying with us after your move, you can tell us you're moving in MyAccount and we'll set up your energy in your new home.
If you're changing suppliers for different utilities, make sure to close accounts for your old address, and cancel any subscriptions you no longer want.
Please leave all energy supplier equipment, such as the in-home display with your smart meter, at the home you're moving out of. The in-home display is linked to the smart meter in that home and won't work at the new one.
You're in your new home - what next?
Congratulations – you’ve made it to your new abode!
With a bit of planning and preparation, that house move checklist will have made the process much smoother for you. Now it’s time to check out our top tips on how to set up your home to be as energy-efficient as possible.
Be savvy
There are plenty of ways to reduce your bills in your new home. From turning down your thermostat to how much water to put in the kettle – we've got you covered! Find all our energy-saving tips here.
Be smart
Invest in one of our smart meters to help you keep track of your energy usage. You won't ever have to take a meter reading again.
You should also take this time to set up your home to be as smart as possible! From Amazon's Alexa to Phillips Hue Bulbs – smart technology has the power to transform your new pad.
Start afresh in your new home by keeping your bills low while doing your bit for the planet. Find out more with our guide to smart meters and check out our home buyers guide for energy.
Getting the best energy deal for your new home
It pays to look around for the best electricity and gas tariff that suits your needs. Our home fixed tariffs are backed by zero carbon electricity(1) as standard.
You may also be interested in...
First time buyer's energy guide
Owning your first home is super exciting – but moving can be stressful. So we’ve put together a handy first time buyers’ tips for everything you need to know before you move into your first ever home.
Help and support for after you've moved
See our support page for tips and advice after you've moved.
Save energy in your new home
Now that you've moved into your new home, check out our tips and tricks to help you save energy and reduce your household carbon emissions.