Moving to a new house can throw up all sorts of logistical factors – packing, removal transportation, decluttering and paperwork. When it comes to moving to a new home you need to inform various institutions and companies of your changed address, and make sure you have all your moving documents up to date. To ensure you don’t get stressed out or forgetful, here’s a helpful guide on what to remember.
Agreements of Sale or Lease
When moving to a new home, your solicitor can make sure you have all the relevant paperwork for the agreement of sale or lease filled out and ready. This may include providing guarantors and deposits for rental agreements.
Mortgage Agreements
If you’re buying a property, make sure that your mortgage agreement is in place ready for completion and the exchange of contracts on the day of the move.
Identification
When it comes to signing for your house/apartment, you will need a valid form of identification, so make sure you have your passport or driving license easily accessible when the time comes.
Utility Bills
You’ll need to inform your current gas, electric and water providers that you’re moving to a new home. On the day of your move you will need to give them a final meter reading, along with your new address, so they can calculate your final bill and send it to the right property. In some instances you can transfer over your supply with the same provider, but if not you’ll need to get in touch with your new providers as soon as you’ve moved in.
Land Line/ Mobiles/ Internet
Another vital notification is to let your telephone/internet provider(s) that you’re moving to a new home. They can ensure that your bills go to the right place, and with landlines and internet they can help you get connected in your new home as soon as possible. If you’re changing providers, you must ensure you give them a full month’s notice to cancel the subscription before you move house.
DVLA / Passport
With any official identification documentation you will need to make sure you update your new address as soon as possible. Remember that with the DVLA you must update both your driving licence and vehicle registration certificate.
Banks/ Credit Cards
Make sure you notify all banks, credit cards and store cards of your change of address to ensure none of your personal information gets sent to your old address and potentially into the wrong hands.
Council Tax
To ensure your council tax is calculated correctly, contact your local authority in the current area and your new area to make sure you don’t over or underpay on your tax.
With all this in order, you should have a less stressful house move. We can’t promise nothing will go wrong, but you’ll be well prepared to deal with all the little hiccups if you’ve sorted out all the paperwork beforehand. Just make sure you’ve put together all the documents you need, and that you don’t leave them behind!
Ron