Moving guide
Moving Day Checklist: What to Do Before You Hand Over the Keys
On moving day, keep your keys, ID, medicines, phone, chargers and moving paperwork with you; protect floors, confirm the loading inventory and take final gas and electricity readings. Before leaving, check every room and secure the property. At the new address, verify lawful key handover, photograph opening readings, inspect delivered items and set up essential rooms first.
Applies to: UK-wide moving logistics; exchange, completion and tenancy rules differ.
The evening before: reduce the decisions left for morning
Make the last night about confirmation rather than starting the entire packing job. Put passports, prescription medicines, chargers, valuables, keys, documents and payment details in a bag that will travel with you. Mark the boxes needed first at your new address. Put small dismantled fittings in labelled bags attached securely to the appropriate furniture.
Confirm how the removals team will access each property, where the van can park legally, who can authorise additional work and how to contact the person holding the new keys. A clear, accurate inventory and a single point of contact prevent avoidable disagreements.
Practical checklist
- Pack an essentials bag that will not be loaded.
- Charge phones; photograph valuable or fragile items.
- Confirm access, parking, loading windows and contact numbers.
- Keep contracts and keys accessible.
Before the crew arrives
Move pets and children away from loading areas if possible. Keep stairways and exits clear and tell the crew which items are excluded from the move. Check the agreed scope and any special handling for fragile, heavy or awkward furniture. Ask before disconnecting appliances; some require qualified tradespeople.
Photograph final meter readings where applicable, including the meter serial number and reading. Photograph the condition of the property and any pre-existing damage. Do not assume that the removals company is authorised to disconnect gas or hard-wired equipment.
Practical checklist
- Photograph final utility meter readings.
- Confirm which boxes and furniture are being moved.
- Separate excluded items and vital documents.
- Check that lifting routes remain safe.
Loading, travel and key collection
Use the inventory to verify that important items are loaded; keep the agreed removals contact available. The arrival time at the destination may depend on loading, traffic and legally permitted driving and working time. If purchasing, exchange and completion are different events: completion normally involves funds being transferred and confirmation from the legal representatives before keys are released.
A chain delay can create waiting costs or require temporary storage. Ask your conveyancer or letting agent for a confirmed key-handover update and tell the movers promptly. Do not instruct the crew to enter a property before you have lawful access.
Practical checklist
- Check the collection property room by room.
- Keep the removers informed about key delays.
- Confirm destination parking or loading access.
- Retain your own essentials bag.
Arrival and first inspection
Check the destination property before furniture is placed. Note any damage, appliance problems or missing items that could affect a tenancy inventory or the property handover. Take opening meter readings, identify the water stopcock and consumer unit, and decide which room should receive each labelled box.
Ask movers to place larger furniture before unpacking smaller boxes. Record visible transit damage promptly and follow the service provider's written claims procedure. Put beds, basic kitchen supplies and overnight essentials first; avoid rushing to unpack everything.
Practical checklist
- Photograph opening meter readings.
- Check the inventory and important item condition.
- Locate stopcock, meters and fuse box.
- Prepare a safe sleeping and essential-use area.
What to read next
Continue with the most relevant next step, or explore the moving journey.
References and further reading
These are the original legal, regulatory and professional sources used to inform this article. MMG explains the key steps above so you do not have to follow external links to find the answer. Circumstances and UK jurisdiction can affect the rules, especially for legal or financial decisions.
- GOV.UK: Conveyancing when selling(opens in a new tab)
- MoneyHelper: Moving checklist for renters(opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Update driving and vehicle records(opens in a new tab)
My Move Guide publishes general information, not personalised legal, tax, mortgage or financial advice. Estimates and requirements differ by location and circumstances.