That time has come- the time when you want to uproot and move your possessions to a new house. Moving house comes with feelings of either nostalgia or anticipation. Of course, this depends on whether you are moving in or out. Whatever the case may be, moving house is rarely a simple affair in the UK. When it comes to changing addresses, there are still things to do or consider. From choosing the right removal company to checking on outstanding utilities, a list of tasks awaits you as you pack or begin to unpack. This guide to moving house, highlights top 10 things you need to do when moving from one house to another:
1. Keep The Banks And Government Bodies Informed
Moving house may seem as simple as changing seats in a movie theatre. It can be, except you need to let someone know. In particular, you need to notify certain parties of the change in your address.
Some of the people you need to inform would be government bodies. These government bodies include:
- The National Health Service
- The Department for Work and Pensions
- The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority
- Home Revenue and Customs
Since your move will change your address, you might also need a mail redirection service from the local post office. This will help ensure that your mail gets to you after you move.
Other than government bodies and institutions, you will also need to inform your bank. You also need to give any other financial institution that may be handling aspects of your finances notice of your move. Your insurance company will need to be aware of your move too.
Failure to do this could mean that companies managing your affairs cannot contact you, you may also incur fines of communication is missed.
2. Check For Any Outstanding Balances
Whether it is your property mortgage or outstanding utility bills, you need to make sure that the person moving in will not have to shoulder any of your costs. For this reason, ensure a clean slate by checking and paying for any outstanding balances.
Outstanding balances may be unpaid mortgage payments. These balances may also be unpaid utilities or other council services.
Whatever the case may be, this will help moving in easier for the next person or family.
If you are moving from a rented property, you will need to inform your landlord ahead of time to see if there is an amount you may have to pay or a notice period to be considered.
3. Update Your Address With Private Service Providers
Leaving your previous flat or property does not only mean leaving some of your belongings. Moving house also includes a change in some of your service providers.
For example, it may not be possible to take your broadband or cable television service to your new flat or property. When this happens, you may retain the services or choose a different one for your new home. Either way, you will have to keep your service providers informed of your new residential address.
This also allows the service providers you’ve retained to send the invoice to the right place.
Here are examples of service providers you might need to notify of your house move:
- Your mobile phone provider
- Your insurance provider
- The credit card company
4. Leave A Clean Property Or Flat
As a courtesy, tidy up your property or flat for the next tenant or owner. In doing so, you get to see what other items you can bring with you and what you can throw in the rubbish.
Cleaning out your flat or property before you move might involve disposing of old furniture, removing garden waste, and taking out old materials that can be potential hazards (e.g., moldy planks of wood, galvanized iron).
If you are the one moving in, clean your new flat or property before you make the move. Of course, there may be no need for this if the past owner or tenant did some cleaning.
This brings us to the next task before moving house.
5. Hire A Skip
As you sort out your belongings, you will see some items that may not be worth keeping. You can set these apart from the rest of the things you wish to bring. The items you do not want to keep can be disposed of.
When it comes to waste disposal, you might want to consider a more eco-friendly and convenient alternative. What better way to achieve this than with skip hire?
Skip hire companies rent out skips of varying dimensions depending on your needs. Often, 2 to 4 yard skips are the skip sizes of choice for families moving house. Of course, you can opt for much larger skips (6 yard skip, 8 yard skip, 10 yard skip) if you don’t plan on bringing your furniture or some appliances.
Skip Search UK can help you find a skip hire company in your local area. Skip Search UK can also help you compare prices to help you get a good deal on a skip.
6. Consider Calling A Removals Service
As you anticipate the difficulties of moving your belongings, you may want to look into the services of a removals service.
A removals service can help you to move large items like your furniture, fridge, or television. In addition, removals services are manned by professionals who can move fragile items with the utmost precision and care.
Removals services can also help with packing, so figuring out how to load boxes onto your vehicle is one less thing for you to worry about.
Which? Traders can help you find a removals service near your location.
7. Return Your Keys
If you are moving out, be proactive in handing over the keys to your landlord. Also include any duplicate keys you may have. Doing this is more than a formality. It can also prevent problems with the law if the property you are moving out of gets broken into.
8. Do Some Meter Readings
As a person moving house, you need to read meters twice: when you move out and when you move in.
Moving out, you must look at or anticipate your final meter readings. The reading on your electricity meter or water meter before you leave can be part of your “handover” to the next homeowner or tenant.
Before you move into a new flat or property, reading the electricity or water meter can help you identify any outstanding balances. Perhaps, there could be an amount that needs to be paid by the previous tenant or owner.
9. Check The Utilities Of Your New Flat Or Property
There is nothing worse than arriving at a new flat or house only to find that the electricity, water, and heating does not work. This is why it is crucial to inspect the property or flat into which you are moving.
By doing this, you may also be able to strike a reasonable deal with your future landlord. You may be able to negotiate for lower rent by pointing out the problems with the property. If not, you may at least be able to get the landlord to fix these problems before you move in.
10. Deal With Mail Not Addressed To You
This is something that needs your attention after moving into the new flat or property. It may be the case that the previous owner or tenant has yet to notify the postal service of his or her move. This can often result in you receiving mail that is addressed to him or her, not you.
Since it is illegal to open someone else’s mail or dispose of it, you need to send this to the person for which the mail is intended. If this is not possible or you have no contact with this person, you can always write “return to sender” on the mail and drop it off at the nearest post office.
In Summary
These are the “10 commandments” of moving to a different address. Keep these in mind, and you can expect a smooth transition into your new residence.
One of the essential elements of relocating to a different address is waste disposal. For this, you will need the help of a skip hire.
Compare now to find the best deal for the right skip hire company local to you.