Moving house checklist

• A couple of weeks before you move, notify gas, electricity, phone, water and council tax the date that you will be leaving your property. Set up accounts for your new house.
• Make a list of everyone you will need to contact about your change of address – include friends, family and companies such as your bank, mobile phone provider, DVLA, doctor etc. If the idea of contacting them all is exhausting, you may like to take advantage of the free change of address service provided by www.ihavemoved.com.
• Start packing as soon as you can. Make sure that all boxes are clearly labelled. It’s a good idea to get some coloured stickers for this and allocate each room in your house a particular colour. This will make it much easier to spot which box is meant to go where when you are moving in.
• Make plans for any pets for the day of the move as this can be distressing for them. If possible, have someone look after them. If not, try to keep them in the garden or in a specific room of the house so they are out of the way.
• Remember to cancel your newspaper and milk deliveries.
• The day before you move, defrost your fridge and freezer.
• Put together a moving day essentials kit including items such as toilet paper, snacks and anything that you don’t want to have to go rummaging around in boxes for.
• Make sure that you pack all your valuables and important documents to travel with you rather than in any removal vans.
• Read utility meters just before you leave your house and make a note of the reading. Check the meters of your new home on the day you move in.