Moving house checklist 2025

Keep your move on track

Your moving home checklist broken down into 5 key steps:

1. After an offer has been accepted
2. Before exchanging contracts
3. Between exchange and completion
4. Moving day
5. After you’ve moved in

1. After an offer has been accepted

Once your offer has been accepted on a new property, it’s time to start preparing for your move. This means hiring the right people to help you through the legal process smoothly and beginning to plan for the big day. If you haven’t got here yet, find out how to make an offer on a house.

• Instruct a conveyancer or solicitor to handle the legal work for you.
• Apply and finalise your mortgage with your lender if you haven't already.
• Research and book a property survey to examine the property from top to bottom.
• Start decluttering your current home - it'll make packing much easier.
• Begin researching removal companies and get a few quotes to compare.
• Budget for all moving-related costs so there are no nasty surprises.
• Start collecting packing materials - you'll need more boxes than you think.
• Create a folder for all moving-related documents (do this with MyEden).

2. Before exchanging contracts 

Before exchanging contracts, you'll need to finalise the legal paperwork and get practical preparations underway. This is when things start to feel real, so it's important to coordinate your timeline and begin organising your move. Make sure you've got buildings insurance in place as this is a requirement for exchange. Learn more about what happens at exchange of contracts here.

• Sign contract documents when requested by your conveyancer - read everything carefully before signing.
• Confirm that your proposed exchange and completion dates work with your schedule and living arrangements.
• Book time off from work around your moving day - you'll need more time than just the day itself.
• Begin packing items you won't need before moving, like seasonal decorations, books, and extra kitchenware.
• If you're renting, it's best to hold off on serving notice until you've exchanged contracts, or you could find yourself in a tricky situation.
• Book additional viewings for your new property to:
  • Measure up spaces to plan furniture layouts.
  • Plan what items you might need to buy for the move.
• Arrange buildings insurance for your new home - this is essential before exchange of contracts.

3. Between exchange and completion

Once contracts are exchanged, you're legally committed to buying your new home. The time between exchange and completion can be anywhere from a week to several months, though same day exchange and completion are also possible. Use this period to finalise all your moving arrangements, set up services at your new address for just after your move-in date, and ensure you're fully prepared for moving day. Being organised now will save you stress later.

• Confirm your removals booking and make sure they know both addresses and the best access points.
• Sort your utilities for both properties - don't forget to update:
  • Energy suppliers
  • Water supplier
  • Council tax
  • Broadband
• Finish as much packing as possible, leaving essentials until last - label boxes by room to make unpacking easier.
• Arrange child/pet care if needed - moving day is stressful enough without little ones underfoot.
• Gather all your current home keys from friends or family who might have spares.
• Update your address with Royal Mail Redirection Service - this gives you peace of mind that nothing important gets lost.
• Defrost your fridge and freezer a few days before moving day - nobody wants to move with dripping appliances.
• Confirm completion timeframes with your conveyancer so you know what time you have to vacate your current property by.
• Prepare a box of moving day essentials that stays with you, not the removal van:
  • Important documents (ID, contracts, moving details)
  • Phone chargers
  • Refreshments and snacks
  • Basic toiletries
  • Medication
  • Change of clothes
  • Basic cleaning supplies
  • Toilet paper and hand soap

4. Moving day 

Moving day has finally arrived! This will likely be a long and busy day, so having a clear plan is essential. You'll be juggling leaving your old property correctly while also setting up your new home. Take things one step at a time and don't rush - it's important to properly close the chapter on your old home before starting fresh in your new one. Remember, good documentation (like photos of meter readings) can save you headaches later.

Leaving your old home

• Get final meter readings (take pictures!) so you can close your accounts without disputes.
• Do a final walk-through of your home to make sure nothing is forgotten:
  • Check cupboards, attic, garden, and outbuildings.
• Make sure your movers have contact details for you, and confirm the new address is correctly recorded.
• Do a final clean as your removal team loads up - it's courteous to leave the place decent for the new owners.
• Leave your sets of keys as arranged for the new owners, usually through your estate agent.

Moving into your new home

• Pick up your new keys as arranged - this is usually from the estate agent.
• Check that all your items have arrived and are undamaged before signing off removals - note any problems on delivery documents.
• Check the house is in the condition you agreed and matches the fixtures and fittings inventory.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - safety first in your new home.
• Do a deep clean whilst rooms are relatively empty - it’s much easier before all your furniture is in place.
• Unpack the essentials for each room so you can function normally from day one.
• Submit meter readings to your new suppliers to avoid paying for the previous owner's usage.
• Set up your broadband - getting online will help you feel settled more quickly.
• Check all your new keys work or consider replacing locks for peace of mind.
• Check the water runs, heating comes on, and electricity is working in all rooms.

5. After you’ve moved in

Congratulations on completing your move! Now that you're in your new home, it's time to settle in and take care of those final administrative tasks. Don't feel pressured to have everything unpacked and perfectly arranged immediately - give yourself time to adjust to your new space. Focus first on essential admin, like updating your address with important organisations and registering with local services. Then you can relax and truly enjoy making your new house feel like home.

• Thoroughly unpack and enjoy experimenting with new spaces - don't rush to put everything in its final place.
• File all important property documents securely - keep them somewhere safe but accessible.
• Register with local services:
  • GP/doctor's surgery
  • Dentist
• Update your ID documents and banking with your new address - start with your driving license and bank accounts.
• Sign up to HM Land Registry's free Property Alert service to help protect your property from fraud.
• Register to vote at your new address so you don't miss any elections.
• Update your subscriptions with your new address to avoid missing deliveries.