Moving House
XTREME PROPERTIES Ltd
Moving House Upsizing, Downsizing, or Relocating
At Xtreme Properties Limited, we aim to simplify the process for you. We've worked with countless home movers and understand which tasks need prioritizing and which are often forgotten until the last minute.
This collection of checklists is designed to help you remember everything.
Everything You Need to Know When Moving House
Ready to Sell Your House?
At Xtreme Properties Limited, we work with all types of homeowners.
No matter the type of move you’re making, some tasks will be the same. For instance, whether you’re renting or buying a new property, you’ll need to change your address. However, some tasks may differ. For example, downsizers may need to sell or store excess furniture, clothing, and ornaments, whereas upsizing wouldn’t require the same.
Our moving house checklist aims to help everyone know what to expect from their move.
What to Consider Before Moving House
We’ll start with things to consider before you’ve even bought or rented your new home. Use this checklist to evaluate your current living situation and determine whether a move, and what kind of house sale, would be best for you.
There are four main reasons why people move home:
- To move somewhere bigger.
- To move somewhere smaller.
- To start renting or buy their first home.
- To move to a different place, perhaps better for their family.
Is Moving House Right for You?
Before you decide to move, consider these factors that will significantly impact your buying and selling process.
If you plan to buy a home, you’ll need a mortgage; consult with a mortgage advisor or bank. While various factors influence borrowing limits, generally expect to pay a 10-20% deposit upfront and borrow up to 5x your annual income.
If you plan on renting, consider your monthly cash flow. Budget around 30% of your monthly income for rent.
This is a personal choice. Consider what you need in your new property, such as size and location. Keep in mind that your budget will influence your options. You may not get everything you want, so prioritize the most important features.
Once you’ve found a property you like, it’s time to make an offer.
If you’re renting:
- Let the landlord know you’re interested.
- They’ll review your credit score and income to determine if you’re a suitable tenant.
If you’re buying:
- Consider your mortgage offer and work with an estate agent.
- Assess the local market and don’t hesitate to offer less than the asking price, especially if the property has been listed for a while.
- If your offer is accepted, plan a survey of the property. Your mortgage provider and real estate agent can assist with this.
- If issues are found during the survey, you may need to revise or withdraw your offer.
Selling your home can be a slow process, so patience is essential, even if you’ve found the perfect home to buy. While there are various methods to sell your home, many people choose to work with us at We Buy Any Home for a quick sale. Contact us for a free cash offer.
The Pre-Move Planning Checklist
Embarking on a new chapter in your life with a move can be as exciting as it is overwhelming. That’s why we've crafted a comprehensive Pre-Move Planning Checklist to simplify your journey from one home to another. Our checklist serves as your personal moving concierge, ensuring that no detail, however small, is overlooked. From the moment you decide to move, it guides you through speaking with conveyancing solicitors and landlords, and even setting up your new home’s utilities. We understand that moving isn’t just about relocating your belongings—it’s about transitioning your entire life. With our checklist in hand, you’re equipped to handle everything from the logistics of packing to the nuances of ensuring your mail follows you to your new address.
Plan for Your Move
Once you begin the process of moving house, there’s many steps to complete.
Once the offer is accepted and the property survey is completed, the buying process should accelerate, though it can still take time. Your conveyancing solicitor will furnish you with a stack of paperwork to sign. Eventually, you’ll exchange contracts for both selling your current property and purchasing your new one—this step commits you fully to the transaction.
Your conveyancing solicitor will then inform you of the moving date, typically 1-2 weeks beforehand, along with details on where and when key exchanges will take place.
Ensure all your mortgage paperwork is complete and in order. Consult with your mortgage advisor or bank to finalize your mortgage offer. It’s crucial to have a confirmed mortgage offer in place before proceeding to exchange contracts.
Consider communicating with the current occupants of your new property, if possible. Gather information such as:
- Scheduled bin collection days, particularly for recycling.
- Location of electrical and gas meters.
- Documentation for kitchen appliances being left behind, like warranties and manuals.
- Broadband or phone service provider details for a seamless transition.
- Source of tiles, wallpaper, or flooring for future replacement needs in case of damage.
It’s advisable to begin packing once your move is confirmed. Start with items you won’t need immediately, such as summer clothes if you’re moving in winter. Save furniture packing for closer to your move date, typically a few days beforehand.
Handling the move yourself by hiring a vehicle can be stressful. It’s wise to obtain quotes from removal companies a few weeks before your move. Ensure to check reviews and verify their insurance coverage for transporting your goods. Once you have a confirmed move-in date, secure your chosen removal company by booking them early. Typically, a deposit is required upfront, with the balance due upon completion of the move.
When moving out of a rental property, it’s advisable to hire a cleaning company for your end-of-tenancy cleaning rather than attempting it yourself. This ensures the property meets the required standards for getting your deposit back. Aim to book the cleaning service about a week before your moving-out date, though it’s beneficial to start gathering quotes earlier in advance.
If you’re downsizing and find yourself with too many items for your new property, you have two main options:
- Sell Them: Consider selling excess items that you don’t need or can’t fit into your new home.
- Put Them into Storage: If you prefer to keep certain items but don’t have space for them immediately, start looking for storage quotes early. There are various storage units available, so research options in your area to find the best fit for your needs.
You’ll need to start changing your address in the days leading up to your move. Who you need to contact will depend on your circumstances, but typically, you’ll need to notify:
- Your bank
- Department for Work and Pensions
- HMRC (if a sole trader, or you run a business)
- DVLA, if you own a vehicle.
- Electoral roll – it is essential the electoral roll contains up-to-date information. It is a legal requirement.
- TV licensing (important if you plan on having a new TV at your property)
- Bank
- Credit cards
- Phone contracts
- Any bills that need paying.
- Loyalty cards
- Pension
- Insurance, particularly car and pet insurance.
When you have a confirmed moving date, visit the Royal Mail website to set up a mail redirect. This service ensures that any mail addressed to your old address is forwarded to your new one automatically. This is crucial especially when moving, as it prevents missing important mail collected from the old address in person.
You’ll need to cancel services like water, electricity, gas, landline, Sky or Virgin TV, broadband, and more before moving. However, in some cases, you can transfer these contracts to your new property, which can save a lot of hassle. Just inform the service providers if you plan to transfer your services.
Make sure to arrange property insurance a few days before your move, once you have a confirmed moving date. It’s crucial to have insurance coverage for your new property starting from the first day you move in.
When updating your address with the local authorities, remember to cancel your council tax at the same time. In many areas, you can conveniently do this online.
The Moving House Day Checklist
Whether you’re buying a home or renting, ensure you collect your keys as early as possible on the designated day.
This serves two purposes: to familiarize yourself with the property and to note any damages, which is crucial especially if you’re renting.
Photographing electricity, gas, and water meters ensures that you’re accurately charged for your usage.
You can unpack some furniture upon arrival, but consider leaving the bulk of the unpacking for the following days to manage the stress of moving.
The Post-Move Checklist
The Post-Move Checklist
- Pay stamp duty
- Contact the landlord
- Contact the council
- Register on the electoral roll
- Register with the GP or dentist
- Switch utilities
Booking Moving Services
- Packing
- Man & Van
- Furniture Removals
- Storage
- Cleaning
Sell Your House Fast
Popular Areas We Buy Houses Quick for Cash
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