Manchester Property News

Moving house is one of the most stressful activities a person will undertake but with some thought and planning, it is possible to make the process a simpler one. This checklist will take you through the process

With two to three weeks before you move home, you should begin to take the following steps:

• Start the sorting and packing process – only take what you need and sell/gift the rest
• Inform relevant authorities and parties of your change of address – including your right to vote
• Institutions to inform include: banks, credit and debit card providers, utility providers, schools or educational bodies of children in the family, insurance providers, the Inland Revenue, doctors and health centres, TV licence company
• Informing your landline and mobile phone operators of any change or provide them with notice that you wish to end the use of their service
• If you are planning on using your car or vehicle in the moving process, have it serviced
• Contact removal companies and obtain quotes for the help you need

When you are just a few days away from moving day, there are other steps that you should take to ease the moving experience:

• Pack a bag of essential items you will need when you move home
• Pack a bag of valuable items that you can keep safe
• Make sure that you have all the keys you need and are able to present them to the new owner or give back to the landlord
• Review the parking situation around your home and ensure that there will be sufficient space for the removal vans
• Empty and defrost the fridge and freezer and then secure it for travelling

Review and clean out kitchen cupboards, packing away items that can be taken with you

With one day to go to moving day, it is likely that you will be feeling very stressed. Following these tips will help you stay in control of everything:

• Make sure that your packing is complete and ideally, label all boxes with information on what is contained inside and where they should be placed inside your new home
• Dismantle furniture and disconnect wires and cabling
• Make up a box of snacks and food essentials for moving day
• Make up a bag of toiletries and towels that will be needed on moving day
• Create or print off maps detailing the journey from your current home to your new home
• Ensure that your mobile phone is fully charged

There is still work to do on moving day itself so make sure you follow these tips to make the process easier:

• Ensure that children and pets are being looked after or are suitably occupied
• Clear out the bathroom
• Strip the beds and linen
• Greet the removal team and/or people helping you out and ensure that everyone knows what they have to do
• Carry out a last check of the home
• Drop off keys to the old property and make sure you have the keys to the new property
• Once you have arrived at your new home, carry out a quick check to ensure everything is in order and follow these tips
• Label the rooms and ensure people know where items and boxes should be going
• Take care of important tasks like setting up bedding
• Ensure everyone is fed and watered

Different people will have different ideas about what is important, so you will have to focus on what matters to you. However, this checklist should provide a strong starting point for anyone planning a moving day.