COUNTDOWN TO MOVING DAY

Here is a useful checklist to help pave the way for a smooth running move.
Our suggestion is to tick the box against items that apply, then tick it again when you have completed them.

  3 Weeks Beforehand
Inform the Secretary at your children's school that you are moving. Start making enquiries in the new area as soon as you exchange contracts; you will then be considered to be a resident.
Inform friends and relatives of your intended move. Pre-printed change of addresscards take a lot of the labour out of this.
You should have already arranged building insurance on your home; if not, do it now.
Transfer your contents insurance, to run from the day you move in.
Inform car insurance company of change of address.
Inform Life Assurance and Pension companies of change of address.
Inform doctor, dentist, optician of change of address. If you are moving to a new area you are going to have to change these. Medical records for any hospital treatment you might be undergoing can take a long time to transfer.
Inform TV rental company of change of address and arrange for aerials at your new home if neccessary.
Tell your employers and book time off for the move.
  2 Weeks Beforehand
Post car vehicle registration documents and driving license to DVLC in Swansea for new address to be incorporated.
Inform Local Council of intention to move and arrange to pay Council Tax up to date of moving if you pay by instalment; ask for confirmation of proportion covering period up to moving day if you have paid in advance.
Inform Water Board of your intention to move and ask for confirmation of proportion of water rates paid up to moving day.
Inform Electricity Board and arrang for meter reading on moving day.
Change address for any savings or investment accounts.
Arrange with new gas and electricity Boards that supplies will be switched on when you arrive.
If you have oil-fired central heating or are going to a home with it, check the level of the storage tank and ensure that you will have fuel to use. Arrange to close or open your account with the delivery firm as appropriate.
Inform Bank of your new address. You may wish to transfer current and deposit accounts to a branch closer to your new home; don't forget to have any items you have on safe deposit at the bank transferred.
Inform Social Security office as child benefits will be affected.
Inform credit card and hire purchase companies of new address.
Inform AA or RAC of new address, particularly if you subscribe to Relay or Homestart services.
Inform clubs, associations, magazines and periodicals to whic you subscribe, Registrars of companies in which you hold shares and Premium Bonds office of new address.
Inform Inland Revenue of new address.
Start planning to run down stocks of food in your freezer.
  1 Week Beforehand
Inform Post Office of new address. For a very modest fee, the Royal Mail will forward any letters and parcels you may get at your old address to your new one for a period of up to a year.
Arrange for your TV Licence to be transferred to your new address at the Post Office.
Inform British Telecom of your intended move. Arrange for your bill to be made up to the day of moving and sent to your new address. Confirm that the phone will remain connected if the new owners want.
Arrange for phone at your new home to remain connected when you move in.
Ensure that you have pets vaccination certificates for your new vet.
  The Day Before
Cancel newspapers and milk.
Set aside a kettle, teapot, tea, coffee, sugar, mugs, spoons, biscuits etc. for instant refreshments. Remember to order milk for tomorrow.
Fill a bucket with a range of cleaning equipment, cloths, brushes, dustpan, cleaning fluids etc. and keep separate.
Put together a box of basic tools, screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, fuses, plugs, radiator key, space light bulbs.
  Moving Day
Double check all drawers, cupboards, shelves, the garden shed and garage to ensure they are empty.
Lock house securely and close all windows when you leave.
Leave all keys needed by the new owner in a kitchen drawer ensuring that one is with us to give to the new owner on completion.
Put out dog/cat bowls together with tins of pet food and a bag of biscuits. Have some drinking water handy for them as well.
Keep a few toys and one or two of their favourite books separate for children in case they finish their allotted tasks early and get bored.
Make sure you have a supply of cash for any unforseen emergency.
Put list of important phone numbers where you will not lose it.
  WE HOPE THAT YOUR MOVE GOES WELL AND WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.
We wish you every happiness in your new home.