4 weeks to go
It is unlikely you will know your moving day at this point but if your property chain is strong you should be able to ascertain roughly when everyone would like to complete. You will hopefully have received your mortgage offer and organised the money needed for the deposit, stamp duty and other costs.
Keep close to your removal firm and update them with any changes to provisional moving dates. Think about what needs moving and where it will go in the new property. Clearly labelled boxes and furniture will assist the removal people on the day.
This might be a good time to have a clear out and start packing anything you definitely won’t need before you move.
Start to run down your frozen food storage, having as little as possible in the freezer makes the moving day that much simpler.
Make a list of everyone that will need to be notified of your change in address. Be prepared to note down meter readings for utilities on the day of the move.
If you have any pets consider how these will be transported in the least stressful way.
Some people will take some time off work for the moving day and perhaps some extra days afterwards. Plan ahead for this and advise your employer or customers of what you need to do.
Exchanging contracts
Before you can fix a moving date, you need to have exchanged contracts with your buyer and seller.
This is handled by your solicitor. Once done, a mutually agreed date can be arranged for legal completion of the sale.
Your solicitor will then ask your mortgage company to send them the mortgage funds. This normally happens a few days before completion, just so the solicitor has the money ready.
Once you have exchanged contracts you are legally bound to proceed. You should, therefore, start any new life assurance policies and have buildings insurance in place.
1 week to go
You will now have a firm completion date and it’s time to get serious with the organising.
You need plenty of boxes, tape and packaging when moving home. If your removal company is packing for you they will provide all of the boxes etc. If not, now’s the time to buy some strong boxes and tape. Label boxes as you go, both with the contents and what room they are for.
Sort out your contents insurance for your new home, informing your insurance company of the moving in day.
Cancel regular deliveries such as newspapers and milk.
Speak with your telephone and internet provider about cancelling services and transferring your number if appropriate. If it’s required, now would be a good time to set-up redirection of your post.
Clear out any attic or loft space and bring items down so they can easily be packed up. This may be another opportunity to declutter and donate some items to charity.
Consider defrosting freezers asap as these take a few days to fully thaw.
Start putting together a box of essential items for moving day: tea, coffee, sugar, kettle, milk, plates, cups, cutlery, toiletries, hoover, cleaning materials, snacks, food, medication and biscuits!
On the day
This is the day you have been planning for, when you finally get the keys to your new property.
This is also known as completion day.
What is completion day?
It is the final step in the house buying process.
Completion happens when your solicitor sends the purchase monies, your mortgage plus deposit/equity, to the sellers solicitor. Only when this has been confirmed as correctly received can the solicitor let the estate agent know.
Once this has all taken place you can get the keys to your new home.
If you are also selling, and part of a property chain, then there is likely to be a gap from when your sale goes through until your purchase completes.
Check your new property
When you get to your new property make sure that you let the removal people know where each room is. Maybe even put some labels on doors to help them get the boxes in the right place.
Now is a good time to very quickly go around the property to make sure that the fixtures and fittings that were staying are actually still there! Yes this does happen, so check out each room just to make sure.
It is polite to leave your property clean and tidy for the new owners. Not everyone will do this though. Ensure your hoover is easy to find plus some cleaning items.
They should be near your box of essential items, next to the biscuits!
What could go wrong?
There are times when things don’t go to plan, despite having a plan!
Generally the most frustrating time is waiting for the money to be transferred to each person in the chain. If one of these transactions is incorrect then it delays those remaining people further down the chain.
Sometimes accidents happen and items can get broken.
Removal companies are used to changing timeframes and delays.
Good companies will support you through any issues and be happy to stay late to help, but remember they are only yours for this one day. Tomorrow they will have another job.
Remember to
- Check that all of the keys you have work
- Take meter readings and maybe also a photo of the meter
- Keep any alarm codes handy
- Check that there’s adequate toilet roll 😧
CONTACT A MORTGAGE BROKER
If you are ready to take the next step then we can put you in touch with a fully qualified independent mortgage broker.
Notifying your change of address
There’s a surprising number of people and organisations that will need to know your new address. Apart from family and friends here are some of the more important ones:
WORK
Let your employer have your new address, making sure that the payroll provider is also updated. Notify HMRC.
GOVERNMENT
Update your Council Tax details and any government departments that you receive benefits or pensions from.
HOUSEHOLD
The main ones will be your telephone and broadband plus any Sky services (don’t forget the dish). You will also need to update your TV licence, utility companies and water provider.
VEHICLES
Let DVLA have your new address asap. For each vehicle notify: insurance broker/company, breakdown cover, ownership details (V5).
EDUCATION
Schools, colleges, universities and private tutors.
HEALTHCARE
If you’re moving area then you may have to change your doctor and dentist completely. Otherwise update them with your new address and include your optician and vet.
MONEY
Deposit accounts, current accounts, childrens accounts. Premium bonds, private or company pensions, loans and credit cards. Investment companies, share dealing accounts.
INSURANCES
These can be varied so take some time to hunt them down. Buildings & contents insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, business insurance.
SERVICES
Solicitor, accountant, financial adviser, window cleaner, gardener, cleaner.
MISC.
Magazine subscriptions and ecommerce sites such as Amazon, ebay, Next etc. Gym membership, clubs and societies.
Don’t forget!
We all have so much information stored online and email it’s easy to forget that it’s there.
Have a look through your accounts and services that you use online to see if any need upto date address info.
