Guide › Moving in the United Kingdom: the checklist

Moving in the United Kingdom: the checklist

The general list plus what comes on top in this country: deadlines, offices and customs.

60 tasks · General checklist

Contracts and authorities

17 weeks before
Check the notice period: fixed term or periodic tenancy
Periodic tenancy: usually one month's notice to quit; during a fixed term only with a break clause. The tenancy agreement decides.
14 weeks before
Give written notice to quit
In writing, dated, with proof of delivery; notice usually ends on a rent day.
13 weeks before
Arrange viewings for the next tenant
11 weeks before
Sign the new lease
10 weeks before
Pay the tenancy deposit and the first month's rent
England: at most five weeks' rent (Tenant Fees Act 2019). The landlord must protect it in a deposit scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, TDS) within 30 days and tell you.
9 weeks before
Arrange the handover date for the old flat
6 weeks before
Cancel internet and TV contracts
6 weeks before
Book a van for the cellar and small items
4 weeks before
Book time off for moving day
3 weeks before
Draw up the list of address changes
2 weeks before
Move your contents insurance to the new address
Report the new address and the value of your belongings.
7 days before
Cancel the standing order for the old rent

Packing and decluttering

5 weeks before
Get moving boxes
5 weeks before
Get packing material
4 weeks before
Set a decluttering day per room
3 weeks before
Move the cellar and attic ahead of time
2 weeks before
Pack seasonal and rarely used things
10 days before
Pack the workspace
5 days before
Pack the kitchen, defrost the fridge
2 days before
Pack the first-night box
2 days before
Keep the toolbox separate

Old home

9 weeks before
Declutter: sell, give away, dispose
6 weeks before
Clear out the cellar and attic
4 weeks before
Book a bulky waste collection
7 days before
Factory-reset the smart home devices
1 day before
Read and photograph the meters
7 days after
Clean the old place for the handover
10 days after
Match the check-out inspection against the inventory
Attend the check-out, record meter readings and keys, take photos.
4 weeks after
Track the return of the tenancy deposit
Within 10 days of agreeing the amount; in a dispute use the scheme's free resolution service.

New home

9 weeks before
Check the inventory and check-in report
Correct the landlord's inventory with photos within the deadline given — it counts at check-out.
6 weeks before
Book the electrician and tradespeople
6 weeks before
Check mounting points: shower rail, lamps, curtains
4 weeks before
Order the internet connection
4 weeks before
Decide what to buy new
2 weeks before
Draw a furniture plan per room, take measurements
7 days before
Test the internet connection
7 days before
Electricity and gas: submit meter readings, choose a supplier
Photograph the meters on move-in and move-out day; the new home starts on a deemed contract with the existing supplier, switch any time.
1 day after
Record and report defects on moving in
3 days after
Label the doorbell and letterbox
7 days after
Set the smart home up again
7 days after
Meet the neighbours and the property manager

Moving day

13 weeks before
Fix the moving date
9 weeks before
Book the moving company
2 weeks before
Apply for a parking suspension for the removal van
With the council, often one to two weeks ahead and chargeable; otherwise you risk a ticket.
2 weeks before
Reserve the lift at both addresses
10 days before
Arrange care for children and pets
3 days before
Move the plants separately
3 days before
Plan bikes and bulky items separately
On moving day
Food and drink for the helpers
On moving day
Final walk-through of the old flat

After the move

7 days after
Set up Royal Mail redirection
royalmail.com/redirection; 3, 6 or 12 months, at least five working days' notice.
7 days after
Register and deregister for council tax
Register with the new council and close the account with the old one (gov.uk/council-tax); single occupants claim the 25 % discount.
7 days after
Move the TV licence to the new address
tvlicensing.co.uk; the licence is per address.
10 days after
Apply for a school place through the new council (in-year admission)
Apply through the local authority; gov.uk/schools-admissions.
2 weeks after
Tell the bank, employer and insurers
2 weeks after
Update subscriptions and delivery services
2 weeks after
Update your address with the DVLA: driving licence and V5C
Mandatory and free: gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence and gov.uk/change-address-v5c.
2 weeks after
Tell HMRC about the change of address
gov.uk/tell-hmrc-change-address; also covers Child Benefit and tax credits.
2 weeks after
Register to vote at the new address
gov.uk/register-to-vote; it also affects your credit score.
2 weeks after
Register with a GP in the new area
nhs.uk/service-search; free, proof of address is not strictly required.

In the app: when setting up the move or under Tasks → Template. Everything can be deselected; a template is a suggestion.

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The checklists in this guide are compiled with care, but without guarantee of completeness or currency. Deadlines and responsibilities change. The information of the respective authority or contracting party is authoritative.