Journey
Moving home
What to do before, on and after moving day.
A house move is not one task. It is a sequence of booking, access, packing, handover and account-change decisions. Confirm the dates you control, identify the dependencies you do not, and keep one practical checklist.
Common questions, answered
What should I do before moving?
Start with an inventory and provisional dates six to eight weeks out. Check vehicle access, removals and broadband early; leave confirmed final readings and key handover for moving day.
Who needs my new address?
Tell the relevant councils, utility suppliers, insurers, banks and official record holders. DVLA driving licences and vehicle log books are separate updates, and HMRC advises using its personal change-of-address service after the move.
How much will removals cost?
Removals depend on volume, distance, floors, access, crew, packing and delays. Compare written scopes and minimum charges; a national estimate cannot replace a property-specific quotation.
Which utilities should I change?
Plan energy closing and opening readings, water, broadband activation and council tax liability. Keep dated meter photographs and closure confirmations to resolve later billing disputes.
Free calculators
Adjust the inputs to your situation. These are planning estimates, not offers or personalised advice.
How to approach moving home
Step 1
Build a move timeline around real dependencies
First confirm the likely handover date and agree how much booking flexibility you need. Reserve any loading bay or lift, check furniture dimensions, and avoid booking inflexible services against an unexchanged property completion date. Use the free on-device checklist to track tasks without creating an account.
Step 2
Compare removal plans like for like
Give every provider the same furniture list, both postcodes, floor and lift information, parking details and packing requirements. Ask for written rules on waiting, second journeys, deposits, insurance excesses, dismantling and cancellations. Compare expected totals, not only the hourly rate.
Step 3
Handle official records separately
Changing a bank address does not update the DVLA, HMRC or your electoral record. Likewise, updating a driving licence does not update the vehicle log book. Prioritise services that affect insurance, legal notices and essential bills, and keep confirmation receipts.
Step 4
After the keys are handed over
Photograph the new meter readings, confirm your energy supplier, check basic safety systems, register for local tax or rates and arrange services such as a GP or school when relevant. Check your first bills against the handover date and old-account closure.
Detailed step-by-step guides
Moving House Checklist: What to Do Before and After Moving
A practical moving timeline, from arranging removals and broadband to final meter readings and updating your address.
Read guideWho to Notify When Moving House in the UK
The address-change list most people need: government records, energy, council tax, banks, healthcare and everyday accounts.
Read guideHow to Compare Removal Quotes Without Hidden Surprises
A practical checklist for comparing hourly and fixed removal quotes, including access, insurance, packing, waiting time and written exclusions.
Read guideMoving House Utilities Checklist: Gas, Electricity, Water and Broadband
What to do before, on and after moving day for energy accounts, meter readings, water, broadband and council tax.
Read guideCouncil Tax When Moving House: Who to Tell and When
Understand council tax address changes, overlapping properties, empty-home assumptions and how to avoid losing track of your final bill.
Read guideMoving House Packing Checklist: Room by Room
A practical room-by-room packing plan for kitchens, bedrooms, electronics, fragile items and the first-night essentials bag.
Read guideCost of Moving House in the UK: The Full Budget Checklist
Budget for the complete move—not just the removal van—including buying or selling fees, deposits, tax, storage, utilities and contingency.
Read guideMoving Day Checklist: What to Do Before You Hand Over the Keys
A practical hour-by-hour moving-day guide covering essentials, access, meter readings, inventories and the final property check.
Read guideCheck the official guidance
- GOV.UK: DVLA address changes ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- MoneyHelper: Who to notify ↗ (opens in a new tab)
UK rules vary by nation and circumstance. Sources reviewed 17 October 2026.