Packing up everything you own is a lot more time-consuming and tiring than most people realise – until they start to do it a week before they move!

Make Packing Easier

Give yourself enough time to pack – you will probably need at least one or two full days, or more if you are renting a whole house.

• Throw out or sell anything you don’t want to take with you.
• Eat as much as you can of any food you have.
• Empty the freezer at least 2 days before the move so it can be defrosted.
• Check your current contractual obligations if you are renting to make sure you do everything on the list, including taking care of the garden.

Removals and vans

If you are moving from a studio or one bedroom flat, a man with a van is cheaper and easier to organise. Alternatively you could hire a van and move yourself. Larger removal firms are more suited to larger house moves but you can benefit from packing and insurance services.

Legal access

On the moving day make sure you are out in good time, just in case someone else is moving in. Access is allowed when the agreement is signed. So if you are moving out of a rented property, the new tenant has access as soon as the agreement is signed. The same goes for you when renting, so make sure your items are ready to move just before you sign any documentation.

On the day

• Check everything is still in the property and not damaged against the check-in inventory.
• If you are hiring a van, make sure you pick it up early and know what time you need to return it – have both parts of your driving license and any insurance to hand.
• Record the gas, water and electricity readings and phone the companies concerned with the readings.
• If you are moving with a removal company or man with a van, make sure there are refreshments for all and you know exactly what time they are turning up.
• Clean the property or have it cleaned and leave it as you would wish to find it, and especially make sure you meet the requirements of any tenancy agreement if moving from a rented property.
• Find and label all keys, codes, instruction booklets.

Timing

If you are just packing up a room, it shouldn’t take you more than a day and if you are group of people renting a property it is likely to be two days to clear everything out and allow a day to make sure you leave the property up to scratch. If you have a family it may take you a week or more to pack everything.

Before you move find out more about:

• Tenant property checklist
• Rental budget
• Tenancy agreements
• Lettings insurance
• Your rights as a tenant
• Your landlords rights

Ready to move?

• Set up home services
• Get a reliable Man & Van
• Update your address details