The first things to do when you are moving home

Moving home is one of the most exciting and stressful things you will do so it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the things that you need to do. Our easy-to-follow list will help guide you through it.

In the lead-up to moving day

Pack early

Avoid a last-minute panic and start packing early. Removing the franticness of last minute packing will help make your moving day go far more smoothly.

Redirect your post

It can take up to two weeks for your post to be redirected so make sure that you arrange this nice and early then you don’t have to worry about whether you have failed to notify anyone of your change of address.

Insurance

Don’t forget to organise your contents insurance before you move in to ensure that your belongings are covered from the first day of your tenancy.

Meter Readings

You need to let your utility companies know which day you are moving out of your home and provide them with a final meter reading so that you don’t end up paying for the new tenant’s energy or water usage.

Internet

You also need to inform your internet service provider of the date you are moving home. It can take several weeks to get connected to the internet when you move so the sooner you can start the ball rolling the less time you will spend relying on mobile data.

Pack an essentials box

Having a box with everything you need for the first few days in your new home will save you from a lot of frustrated searching through all of your unpacked boxes. Make sure that you include your kettle and some tea bags for that well deserved first cup of tea in your new home.

Moving Day!

Find the essentials

No not the teabags, although those are important too! You need to find the location of the stopcock, the thermostat, the gas and electricity meters and the water meter too if you have one.

Meter Readings

Once you have found your meters make sure that you take readings from all of them. Always take a photograph as it will be time stamped so can help if there is a disagreement over your first bill. 

Submit these as soon as possible to your energy suppliers, you will normally have been left their details by the previous tenants or your landlord. 

If not, expect to receive a letter from them in the first few days as the previous tenants will have submitted their final meter readings and the companies will be keen to make contact with the new bill payers!

Neighbours

It’s always a good idea to introduce yourself to your new neighbours. They will be the ones who will be taking in your parcels and can also be a great source of information about the area, including which pubs and restaurants to try out and which day to put out the bins. You never know, it could even be the start of a lifelong friendship.

We are always here to offer advice on any aspect of moving home so if you have a question please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01935 277977 or send us an email to info@orchardsestates.com.