Moving House Checklist — Complete 2026 Guide

Confirm your moving date

Once your sale/purchase is agreed, aim to lock down a moving date as early as possible. Fridays, Saturdays, and end-of-month dates fill up fast.

Get removal quotes

Contact at least three removal companies for quotes. Ensure each quote is all-inclusive (VAT, stairs, parking). Ask about insurance cover.

Book your removal company

Secure your preferred date with a deposit. Check the cancellation and rescheduling policy — important in case your completion date changes.

Start decluttering

Go room by room and sort everything into keep, donate, sell, and skip. Less stuff = smaller van = lower cost. Donate to local charities or list on marketplace apps.

Notify your employer / school

If you're moving to a new borough, your children may need to change schools. Give your employer your new address for payroll and HR records.

Research storage if needed

If there's a gap between your move-out and move-in dates, arrange short-term storage. Your removal company may offer this alongside the move.

Gather packing supplies

Order or collect boxes (double-walled is best), packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and markers. Your removal company may supply these.

Begin packing non-essentials

Start with items you rarely use — books, out-of-season clothes, artwork, ornaments, spare room contents. Label every box with room and contents.

Notify utility providers

Contact your gas, electricity, water, and broadband providers. Give them your move date and arrange final meter readings at your current home and set up supply at your new one.

Arrange a parking suspension if needed

In many London boroughs with Controlled Parking Zones, you'll need to apply to the council for a temporary parking suspension for both addresses. This usually takes 48–72 hours (sometimes up to 7 days). Check with both councils.

Notify your bank

Update your address with your bank, building society, and any financial institutions. This prevents statements and important documents going to your old address.

Set up Royal Mail redirect

Apply for a mail redirection service with Royal Mail. Set it up for at least 6 months to catch anything you miss. This takes a few days to activate.

Continue packing — room by room

Work through each room methodically. Pack items you won't need in the lead-up to your move. Leave out essentials: toiletries, work equipment, everyday clothes.

Notify DVLA

Update your address on your driving licence (V1 form or online) and your vehicle's V5C logbook.

Update electoral roll

Register to vote at your new address via gov.uk/register-to-vote. It only takes a few minutes.

Inform HMRC

Update your address with HMRC for income tax, National Insurance, and any benefits you receive.

Contact your GP and dentist

Register with a new GP and dentist near your new home if you're moving out of their catchment area. Request medical record transfers.

Defrost fridge and freezer

Begin defrosting your freezer a few days before the move and use up perishable food. Removal companies cannot transport fridges or freezers that contain food or ice.

Plan what goes in your 'essentials box'

Decide what you'll need on moving day and the first night — kettle, mugs, tea/coffee, toilet paper, phone chargers, basic toiletries, bedding, and a change of clothes. Pack this last so it comes off the van first.

Confirm all bookings

Reconfirm with your removal company, storage facility (if applicable), and any tradespeople booked for your new home (cleaners, carpet fitters, plumbers).

Return borrowed items

Return any library books, borrowed tools, or items you've been meaning to give back.

Cancel local subscriptions

Gym memberships, local clubs, and any area-specific subscriptions should be cancelled or updated.

Measure furniture vs new doorways

Check that your large furniture (sofas, wardrobes, bed frames) will fit through the doors and up the stairs in your new home. Saves nasty surprises on moving day.

Inform subscriptions and deliveries

Update address with Amazon, meal kit services, magazine subscriptions, online shopping accounts, and regular deliveries.

Deep clean areas as you empty them

As rooms become empty, clean behind appliances, inside cupboards, and under furniture. Much easier to clean now than after everything has been moved.

Finish all packing

Everything except essentials and items in daily use should be boxed, sealed, and labelled by the evening before moving day.

Dismantle beds and flat-pack furniture

Your removal team will help, but doing this the night before saves time on moving day. Keep screws and fittings in labelled zip-lock bags taped to the item they belong to.

Charge all devices

Make sure phones, laptops, and any battery-powered items are fully charged for moving day.

Take final meter readings

On moving day, take photos of gas, electricity, and water meters at your old home. Send these to your utility providers.

Do a final walk-through

Before the van leaves, check every room, cupboard, loft, shed, and garage. Check inside the dishwasher, washing machine, and under all beds.

Hand over keys

Arrange to hand your old keys to the estate agent, solicitor, or new owner as agreed.

Be ready when the team arrives

Have all boxes sealed and labelled. Clear a path through the property to make loading as efficient as possible.

Direct the crew to each room

Walk the removal team through your home and explain the destination room for key pieces of furniture and labelled boxes.

Pack your essentials bag in the car (not the van)

Keep your essentials — phone, wallet, keys, medications, chargers, kettle, a change of clothes — in your own vehicle or a clearly labelled bag that comes off the van last.

Take meter readings at new home

As soon as you arrive, take photos of the gas, electricity, and water meters. You'll need these to set up supply in your name.

Check all items are delivered

As boxes and furniture are unloaded, check items against your list. Report any damage to the team immediately and photograph it.

Make the bedroom a priority

Get beds set up first so everyone has somewhere to sleep if unpacking runs long.

Contact all remaining organisations

NHS, pension providers, insurance companies, professional bodies, DVLA (if not already done), and anyone else with your old address.

Check your Royal Mail redirect is working

You should start receiving redirected mail within a week. If not, contact Royal Mail.

Introduce yourself to neighbours

A brief introduction goes a long way, especially if you anticipate any noise from unpacking or works.

Test all appliances and report issues to landlord

If you're renting, test all appliances, heating, and plumbing within your first week and report any issues in writing.

Update home insurance

Make sure your buildings and contents insurance covers your new property from day one. Your current policy will not automatically transfer.

Review your security

Consider changing the locks at your new home — you don't know who has copies of the old keys. Check window locks and door bolts.