The ultimate guide to moving house

 

If you're moving house, then you'll know there's a lot to think about. From getting your possessions from one place to another, to changing your address and canceling utilities, it can feel like a daunting task. This guide will take you through everything you need to do to make moving house as easy as possible.

 

Deal with the legal stuff

The first step in the moving process is to sort out any legal issues involved. You'll need to know where you're going and what type of tenancy or another legal arrangement you have with your landlord. This will also affect any costs that might be payable when you buy a new property.

Make sure your tenancy agreement allows you to sublet or assign the property and that you can legally assign it. Ask your landlord for permission, if necessary, because if they say no it could complicate the process.

 

Measure up

You'll need to know how much furniture and belongings you have so you can plan the size of van or removal lorry that you need.

 

Pack your boxes

Start putting the contents of all the rooms into boxes, making sure that they're clearly labeled. You should keep an inventory of all your items for insurance purposes, but this won't help you lug items into your new home.

You can also make life easier by labeling each room with numbers.

 

Buy new furniture if necessary

If you're planning on buying new furniture once you've moved to your new home, then now is a good time to start looking for it. Of course, if you already have everything you need, then consider hiring furniture instead – this will be particularly useful if you're moving house and carrying your possessions by hand.

 

Hire a moving company

There’s no doubt that movers are crucial when it comes to moving house. That’s because hiring a company guarantees you a safe and efficient move. They’ll load your items onto their van, drive them to your new home, unload everything and even help with the unpacking – all for a price.

Make sure to shop around as there are many companies offering moving services. Prices vary depending on weight, distance traveled, and amount of time.

A full-service removal company will send a team to your home, pack everything up and take it away, before delivering it to the new location and unloading.

 

Pack up your kitchen

Moving house always involves packing up the kitchen, so it's best to start as soon as possible. If you don't have time to pack boxes yourself, then consider hiring a moving company that will do the packing for you. It's also worth taking inventory of your items before they're packed to make sure everything goes with you.

 

Have an essentials bag 

If you're moving to another town or city, then you might not have a car at your disposal when you arrive. In this case, it's worth having an essentials bag in your pocket so that you can take taxis if necessary.

Make sure you have some cash on hand and fill the bag with things like a mobile phone charger, snacks, and a map.