When someone is in the process of moving house, it can be financially, physically and mentally draining with all of the work and steps required to take to successfully finalise your move to a new house. 

With moving house comes a lot of worry, especially the day before moving or on the day of the move. You’re worried you might have forgotten something in the house or in the removal vehicle. You want to experience a move that is less stressful and runs smoothly. Here are a handful of useful tips to take into consideration before moving house:

1. Mail Redirection

It is very important to ensure that you let Royal Mail know about your new address prior to moving, this prevents theft identity and any other person having access to your personal information and correspondence. 
A redirection can be organised to be set up in advanced a day before you move in, it is recommended to set the redirection 6-12 months in advance to avoid any problems along the way. With the change a small fee would be applied but it is worth paying it to avoid your important documentation falling into someone else’s hands. See link below to Royal Mail redirection Page.
https://www.royalmail.com/person…/receiving-mail/redirection

2. Notify Your Bank – Financial companies

Notifying your bank of the address is also very important in ensuring that they have your new details. Make sure that you inform all banks such as building societies, insurance companies or any other financial companies so that they are aware and you don’t run into any problems and they can amend and update your details.
If you keep your bank informed this will help if they need to contact you in an emergency and will prevent any important documentation such as bank statements, PIN number, new cards and any other information into the wrong hands.
When you write/call regarding the change, write/call to each company individually with clear information on the full address you’re moving to and the precise date you’re moving, this will keep them up to date and give your assurance that they will update their records accordingly.

3. Home Insurance

Before you move you need to check with your existing insurance company if you’re insured on the new home. Buildings insurance is mandatory as part of your mortgage contract and whether you’re renting or buying a house it is recommended and important to protect your personal possessions against damage or loss that could happen both during the process of moving or afterwards. It ensures security and protection for belongings. 
When you gather the details of your new home and its full address an insurance policy can be submitted up to 30 days in advanced to be scheduled to start the day you pick up your keys for your new home.

4. Move Your Car

When you move home you need to ensure that your car goes with you and that the address on your car ownership certificate https://www.gov.uk/change-name-address-v5c and driving license https://www.gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence are all changed and up to date to prevent any problems with your licence. 
Details can be updated online by visiting above links and filling in the relevant details to successfully change your address. Alternately you can find and locate your nearest post office to complete a paper based application form instead.
The car insurance company should also be made aware of the change of address, this is especially important as most insurance policies are based on location so they will defiantly need notification of the change to amend their details. If you don’t notify the insurer they may refuse to pay if you claim, furthermore you may need to pay more if the insurer considers the area you will be living in is more risky. If however they see it as safer you could be eligible for a small refund.

5. Meter Readings

Make sure you take water, gas and electricity meter readings before you move and most importantly notify your suppliers that you will be moving to prevent getting billed for someone else advantage. Most suppliers will have change of address forms on their online website, you can Google them and find their website. 
When you move you should also be able to remain with the same gas and electricity suppliers but will need to arrange to perform a switch when you move. However if you’re not on a fixed long term contract with the supplier you could look into different suppliers and save by switching to other providers who offer similar services.

6. TV Licence

If you have a TV in your existing home and plan to watch TV in your new home you will be required to notify the Television licensing company about your change of address. Provide them with your new address and ensure that you’re covered when you move in on the day.
You can update your details for TV licencing on the website they provide - http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/…/f…/youre-moving-address-aud23

7. Broadband

If you have broadband you need to make sure you let your provider know you have moved. Most broadband and landline providers will allow you to transfer your existing package with them to your new home at no extra cost involved, that is if they offer that service in the new area you will be living in. 
It is best to contact the provider in the first instance to check with them if it is possible to move the service as this will be less hassle on your part. They may be able to offer alternatives such as a refund for the contract term you have outstanding on your account. 
If you’re not on any fixed contract deal then it might be worth saving money by looking at alternatives providers with similar packages to the one you had.

8. Start Packing

It’s good to start packing all your stuff as soon as you can to make sure that everything is packed up and ready to go into the new house. As you go through items around the house, you can also choose to actually get rid of things that you don’t use or need to DE clutter and carry less baggage. This will leave you only taking the possessions that you’re actually going to need and use.
9. Take your vote right with you
If you move house and don’t let the council know, you may not be able to vote for future elections and won’t have the right to vote, that is why it is important to inform the local council of the change of address so that they can update their records and update you on any elections that you will be able to vote on. You can register to vote at your new address at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

10. Parking

If you have any parking restrictions at your existing home or at your new home, you will need to make sure you contact the local authorities to organise a suspension of the parking restrictions that will be located outside your property on the actual moving date. The removal van will require enough space to get near your home and to access the van to add your possessions in easily. To make the loading and unloading process easier, the removal vehicle should be parked straight outside your house and if your house is on a narrow down hill area there needs to be plenty of space for safety and ease. 
If you’re not entirely sure about the capacity and size of the removal van you have hired, contact them and ask how much room they will require on the day so you can plan ahead and ensure there is enough room and no complications on the day.

11. Schools

If you have children that are going to a school locally and your new home will be far away from the school, informing the school of the date you expect to be moving. After doing this, you will need to inform the new school of when you want your child to start officially. 
Ensuring that you keep the existing school up to date and letting the new school know before you move will provide plenty of notice to the schools and for you to start moving without worrying about this aspect.

12. Health Services

If you’re moving away from a local area that has a GP, dentist and opticians you will be required to suspend your registration with them as you will no longer be using their services. You will then need to re register with the new dentist and doctor’s when you move into your new home area. If you receive prescription orders for medication, contact lenses or any other requirements you will need to let the relevant companies know to redirect the orders to your new address however, you will need to arrange for new prescription deliveries from your new GP as you’re no longer with your previous one, they won’t send you the orders via themselves.

13. Hotel if required

Whilst moving long distance, you may need to stay in a hotel for temporary accommodation, if this is the case ensure you book the hotel well in advance so that you can get your booking in place at the right time for you and for the nights you require. If you’re moving in summer holidays, hotels tend to get booked up quite fast, that’s why booking in good time prior to arranging the move will make the process easier and you won’t miss out on a booking.

14. Pets

If you have any pets, making sure they are safe and out of danger during the moving process if important. Bookings can be made to keep them in temporary kennels/cattery however it is probably best to make arrangements with friends or family that can look after the pet(s) as this will be more comforting to the pet during the move. During the move, its not ideal to keep the pets in the house as this will most likely make the pets feel upset with all the strangers coming into the house removing items, furthermore during the moving process, the doors are generally left open so that furniture can easily be transferred to the removal van, the pet could easily escape. 
Leaving your pets with someone who you trust and already knows your pets will make you feel less stressed and more focused on the moving process. Ensuring that the pet, especially if a cat or dog, is given enough attention before and after the move to reassure them and to make them feel safe.

15. Compare Removal Costs

Most people who move, with a lot of furniture will require a removal team and a lorry or few Luton vans. Its important to allow yourself time to compare costs of as prices can vary. Make sure to ask for a home survey so there are no surprised on your moving day.
It is best to do a little research so you know you have the best deal and a good service that will lessen the stress of moving house.

15. Clean your House

Apart from moving your actual stuff away, it is a good idea to ensure the house is clean and how you would expect it to be if you was going to move into the house. Cleaning the grim and dust can easily be done and will allow the new home owners to settle in without the worry of bacteria or dust around the house.