Moving Home Check List – First Time Buyers
26 Apr 2024
You have now found your dream home; your contracts have been exchanged, and the mortgage is all sorted.
All that's left to do is move in.
So where do you start?
Here at Sort Legal, we have put together a handy checklist to ensure you have accounted for all the things you may need, helping your move run smoothly.
Getting Organised
- In your final week before the big move, you'll want to spend this week getting organized, finishing your packing, and getting ready to go!
- Top Tip – Purchase a folder to keep all your important documents together in a safe place.
- Finish as much packing as possible, this may seem obvious, but many forget the garden shed.
- Gather all your keys to the property, don't forget the spares too.
- Provide the post office with your new address and arrange a mail redirection service.
- Defrost the freezer and fridge – Ensure these are dry before moving day.
- Any frozen food you won't be taking could be donated to neighbours or a local food bank. You could also donate any potted plates or flowers that won’t be making the journey.
- Box up all your clothing and linen, if you can get these labelled even better, this will be super handy for when you unpack in the new home.
- Pass on your new address to family and friends, it would be a shame to miss out on those housewarming gifts!
Be prepared to leave your old house.
You're now into the last 24 hours at your old home. It's time to run through your final checks. Don't forget to leave yourself enough time to walk around the property, checking you haven't forgotten anything.
- Top Tip – Make yourself an overnight bag for your new home, this will help you settle in and get a good night’s sleep, ready to start unpacking the following day.
- Put together a mini tool kit, knives, screwdrivers etc. This will help with opening boxes on arrival and putting together any essential furniture.
- If you are planning on arranging help from family and friends, confirm all the details with them beforehand and make sure they have your new address.
Get ready to lock up and move out!
On this day, emotions can run high but having a plan of action will make you feel calmer and in control.
Be prepared for when your removal company arrives so that they can begin swiftly.
- Top Tips – Identify what boxes may need special care and any boxes the removal company are not taking.
- Make sure you take your final meter readings for your current utility provider.
- Strip all the beds and curtains, get these packed up.
- Arrange for one person to stay until your removal company have finished packing. This will allow you to make sure everything is accounted for, and you are happy with the service being provided.
- Check all windows are closed and secure.
- Turn off all utilities.
- Prewrite signs for each room making sure that you are calling them the same name as the ones you have written on your boxes and keep some Sellotape in your bag.
- Double-check the removal company have your new address and contact details.
- Keep all contact details for your conveyancer, estate agent and removal company. Have these to hand in case they are needed throughout the day.
- Leave a handwritten note to your buyer giving them helpful information e.g. Where the stopcock is to turn the water back on, which is the tastiest takeaway for their dinner and if you feel generous a nice bottle of prosecco, as let’s face it we all need a drink and a takeaway that first night.
Don't forget to check your new home!
Upon arrival, it's essential to make sure your removal company knows any special instructions and what items are going into what rooms. (This is where the handy tip to write on each box which room it’s going into comes in hand), get those signs and sellotape out and put a sign on each room. This will make things so much easier for your moving team.
It's also essential to make sure you are happy with the inventory. Take a little tour and check that everything is accounted for before the moving company leaves your property.
You'll also want to check the following:
- Check all keys provided for the property work.
- Read your utility meters and take a photo, storing this on your phone in a safe place.
- Turn the water on, often something people forget, and you don’t want to drain the tank.
- Inspect the garden, making sure it's all child and pet friendly if needed.
- Check for any items that the previous owners may have left. If you do find anything you can arrange for them to collect later.
- Finally, stick the kettle on and put your feet up for five, you deserve it!
Why not print our checklist, ready for your big day?
You can put this with your important documents and use them as a guide.
If you’d like to learn more about Sort Legal and how we can help you, contact us today on:
Email: enquiries@sortlegal.co.uk
Telephone: 0333 323 1091