countdown list for moving home

Published: 16/07/2024

 Countdown to Moving: Your Essential Checklist for a Stress-Free Move in Central London

Moving can be daunting, especially in busy areas like Shoreditch, Southwark, and other central London hotspots. At Circa London Sales & Lettings, we want to make your transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. Follow this essential guide, and you may find that moving is easier (and more enjoyable!) than you expected.

One Month Before Your Move

  1. Confirm Your Move Date & Notify Your Landlord: If you're renting, confirming your move date with your landlord and providing the necessary notice is crucial. This will help avoid any last-minute issues.
  2. Declutter & Clear Out Belongings: Use this time to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Not only will it make packing easier, but it will also save you on removal costs.
  3. Review Contracts for Utilities & Services: If you have TV, broadband, or internet contracts, check the terms and give 30 days' notice if you plan to cancel or transfer these services to your new home.
  4. Compare Removal Companies & Get Quotes: Start researching removal companies or van hire services. If you're moving, now's the time to book your hire van, gather packing materials, and ask friends to help. If you're hiring professionals, get multiple quotes to find the best deal.
  5. Plan Time Off Work: If you're moving on a weekend, make it a long weekend to give yourself extra time for packing and organising. You'll thank yourself later.
  6. Research Storage Options: If you're moving to a smaller space or need extra storage, research local storage facilities in Shoreditch, Southwark, or nearby areas and get quotes for storage units.
Three Weeks Before Your Move

  1. Start Packing Non-Essentials: Begin packing items you don't use daily, like books or decorative items. This will give you a head start on the packing process.
  2. Use Up Frozen Foods: Start running down your freezer, as transporting frozen food can be tricky, especially when it's something delicate like ice cream!
  3. Set Up Mail Redirection: Arrange for your mail to be redirected to your new address, whether in SE1 or EC2 or beyond. This service will typically incur a small fee, depending on how long you need it. It's a convenient way to ensure you don't miss any important correspondence.
Two Weeks Before Your Move

  1. Plan for Children & Pets: If you have children or pets, consider arranging for someone to look after them on moving day. This will help avoid any extra chaos during the move.
  2. Continue Packing: Keep packing boxes and clearly label them by room. This will make unpacking a lot easier once you're in your new home.
  3. Update Address with Friends & Family: Send change of address cards to your friends and family so they can update their records and keep in touch without sending things to your old home.
  4. Insure Your Belongings for Transit: Most removal companies will offer insurance, but it's always wise to double-check and ensure your belongings are covered during the move.
One Week Before Your Move

  1. Gather Manuals & Documents: Collect instruction manuals for your appliances, boilers, or other important items. These may come in handy once you're settling in.
  2. Notify Important Contacts of Your New Address: Notify your bank, credit card companies, pension providers, insurance companies, mortgage providers, council tax, employers, schools, utility providers, doctors, and the DVLA of your address change. This will ensure that all your correspondence is sent to the right place.
The Night Before Your Move

  1. Pack an Essentials Box
  2. Pack a "last out, first in" box with all your essential items—toiletries, clothes, and basic kitchenware. This way, you'll have everything you need right away.
  3. Get Plenty of Rest: Moving day can be exhausting, so get a good night's sleep. You'll need all the energy you can muster.
On Moving Day

  1. Take Final Meter Readings: Before you leave your old home, take final readings for your gas, electricity, and water metres. Do the same when you arrive at your new home.
  2. Do a Final Check: Before locking up for the last time, recheck each room to ensure you haven't forgotten anything.
  3. Inspect Your New Home: When you arrive, ensure everything is in place, including furniture and appliances. If you're moving into a rented property in Shoreditch, Bankside, Southwark, or central London, make sure everything is in good condition.
  4. Change the Locks: For your peace of mind, it is a good idea to change the locks in your new home, as there may be unaccounted-for sets of keys.
Need Help? Contact Circa London Sales & Lettings

If you need assistance or have questions about your upcoming move to Shoreditch, Southwark, Bankside, or anywhere in central London, Circa London Sales & Lettings is here to help. As an independent estate agent, we specialise in sales and lettings in Southwark, Shoreditch and the surrounding areas,, offering a range of properties from period homes to contemporary apartments. Don't hesitate to reach out—we're happy to guide you through every step of the moving process!
0203 137 7877 info@circalondon.com
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