Moving home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve got countless jobs to organise before moving day. Whether you’re relocating across Leeds, moving elsewhere in West Yorkshire, or settling into your first rental property, a clear plan makes the process far easier.
Our moving house checklist breaks every stage down step by step, from booking removals and packing boxes to updating your address and taking meter readings. Use it as your go-to checklist for moving house and tick tasks off as you go.
Quick moving house checklist
We’ll dive into the details, but here’s an overview of the main tasks ahead.
- Book a removals company or hire a van
- Declutter your belongings
- Arrange child and pet care for moving day
- Start packing early
- Notify utility providers
- Redirect your mail
- Pack an essentials box
- Take meter readings
- Deep clean your old property, if rented
- Check your new tenancy inventory
- Unpack and settle into your new home
Moving house timeline
2 months before moving day
Choose a removals company
Book your removals company as early as possible, especially if you plan to move during the summer or school holidays.
Get several quotes from reputable companies and check:
- Reviews
- Insurance cover
- Cancellation policies
- Packing services
- Storage options
Removal costs in the UK typically range from £400 to £1,400, depending on the size of the move and the distance between the properties. Packing services and storage further increase costs.
If you want to save money, hire a van instead, ask friends and family to help, and pack using free boxes from supermarkets.
At Pickard Properties, we advise tenants to book removals as a priority, as reputable removal companies book up quickly. Likewise, if you’re hiring a van, book it as far in advance as possible — particularly if you’re moving house over a weekend.
1 month before moving day
Declutter your belongings
Go through each room in your home and decide what to recycle, donate, or throw away. If you haven’t used something in the past year, you probably don’t need it.
Think about your new home while decluttering:
- Is the property furnished?
- Will you need duplicate appliances if you’re moving in with a partner or into a house share?
- Do you need extra furniture if it’s a larger property, you’re moving out of your parents’ house, or a relationship has ended?
Many tenants moving into our rental properties across Leeds and West Yorkshire don’t realise how much clutter they’ve accumulated until they start packing. Get ahead by decluttering beforehand, and buy anything you’re missing for your new home.
Arrange childcare or pet care
Arrange childcare or pet care well before moving day. Children and pets often struggle with disruption, so keeping routines consistent helps reduce stress.
Do this, if possible:
- Keep children in school or childcare as normal
- Ask friends or family to help
- Send pets to a kennel or cattery for a few days, if that will stress them less.
2 weeks before moving day
Gather moving supplies
Buy packing materials once you’ve decluttered and know exactly what needs to be moved.
You’ll usually need:
- Cardboard or plastic boxes
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper
- Marker pens
- Labels
Boxes typically cost between £2 and £8 each, and multi-packs offer better value.
Start packing
Start packing at least a fortnight before moving day.
Pack less-used items first:
- Seasonal clothes
- Books
- Decorations
- Spare bedding
Leave everyday essentials until the final few days.
Label every box clearly with:
- The room it belongs in
- A brief description of its contents
For example:
Kitchen: Crockery
Bedroom: Winter clothes
Good labelling saves hours when unpacking or searching for a particular item.
1 week before moving day
Notify companies of your new address
One of the most important parts of any moving house checklist is address changes.
Create a list of all the organisations that need to be notified of your house move.
Utility suppliers
If you already rent with Pickard Properties and your tenancy is bills-exclusive, or if you’re a homeowner, contact your utility providers and arrange final bills or account transfers. This will usually include:
- Energy suppliers
- Water suppliers
- Broadband and landline providers
- TV streaming services
- TV licence
- Council tax
Tenants who pay bills-inclusive rent can leave this process to us.
Organisations
You’ll need to update your address with many organisations, such as:
- DVLA — driving licence
- DVLA — vehicle log book (V5C)
- HMRC
- Your employer
- Banks and building societies
- Pension providers
- Insurance companies
- GP surgery
- Dentist
- Optician
- Mobile phone provider
- Electoral roll
- Schools or childcare providers
If you’re moving far from your current location, register with a new GP and dentist before you need them.
Subscriptions and memberships
Don’t forget recurring deliveries and memberships. These might include:
- Amazon subscriptions
- Magazine subscriptions
- Meal kit subscriptions
- Gym memberships
- Loyalty cards
- Pet microchip databases
Redirect your mail
Royal Mail’s redirection service prevents important post from reaching your old address. You can redirect mail for three, six, or 12 months.
Royal Mail usually requires at least five working days’ notice to set this up.
Tenants who don’t set up a redirection often find they miss important letters after moving — particularly bank statements and parking fines.
Finish packing
Finish packing up your belongings and move packed boxes to an easily accessible area ready for collection.
Pack a household essentials box
Prepare one box with items you’ll need immediately after arriving.
This should include:
- Kettle
- Tea and coffee
- Milk
- Mugs
- Cutlery
- Plates
- Washing-up liquid
- Toilet roll
- Kitchen roll
- Cleaning products
- Bin bags
- Chargers
- Bedding
- Towels
- Vacuum cleaner
- Microfibre cloths
You won’t want to search through boxes on your first night to find everything you need.
Pack overnight essentials bags
Pack a separate overnight bag for each family member.
Adult essentials bag
Take:
- Medication
- Passport and driving licence
- Toiletries
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Change of clothes
- Snacks
- Water bottle
Child essentials bag
Include:
- Several changes of clothes
- Pyjamas
- Toiletries
- Toys and books
- Tablet
- Snacks
- Comfort items like a soft toy, night light, and white noise machine
- Water bottle
1 day before moving day
Prepare your old home
If you’re renting
Leave the property clean and empty to avoid deposit deductions.
Most landlords and letting agents expect tenants to:
- Clean kitchens and bathrooms thoroughly
- Remove rubbish
- Empty cupboards
- Vacuum throughout
- Replace missing items
- Remove all personal belongings
Deposit disputes often happen because tenants rush the final clean.
If you rent through Pickard Properties, leave the property in the same condition listed in your Check-In Report, allowing for fair wear and tear. Use the report as your guide while cleaning and preparing the property for handover.
Clean the property to a professional standard, including:
- Floors
- Kitchens and appliances
- Bathrooms and WCs
- Carpets and upholstery
- Outdoor spaces
Many deposit deductions occur because tenants overlook areas like ovens, carpets, or soft furnishings. Our end-of-tenancy cleaning tips further explain what we expect before check-out.
If you’re moving from a home you own
A basic clean and tidy helps the next owner settle in smoothly.
Gather keys and documents
If you rent your property, ensure you know where all the keys are and are ready to drop them off when you move out. Homeowners should gather the keys to the front door, back door, windows, garage, shed, and gate. Consider labelling them for the new owner.
Place important documents in a backpack or handbag for the move.
On moving day
On the day of your move:
- Take photos of final meter readings
- Hand over old keys
- Collect keys for your new property
- Check that locks work properly
- Check that smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and appliances work
- Take photos of new meter readings
- Move boxes into the correct rooms
- Assemble and make beds first
- Unpack essentials
- Photograph any damage
- Check the tenancy inventory carefully
After you’ve unloaded
At Pickard Properties, we ask tenants to report inventory issues as quickly as possible after moving in. Early reporting protects tenants and landlords.
Once everything’s inside and you’ve done the basics, take a break, order a takeaway, and leave everything else for tomorrow.
After moving in
Continue unpacking
Start with the priority rooms first:
- Bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Kitchen
You’ll settle in much faster once the essentials feel organised.
Locate key features
Find the stopcock, fuse box, and boiler controls as soon as possible so you know where they are in an emergency.
Update local services
Once you’ve settled in, register with a local GP, check your bin collection days, and introduce yourself to your neighbours.
Moving house FAQs
When should I start packing for a house move?
Start packing around two weeks before moving day. Pack non-essential items first and leave everyday items until the final few days.
How much does a removals company cost in the UK?
Most removal companies charge between £400 and £1,400 depending on distance, property size, and additional services.
Who do I need to notify when moving house?
You should update utility providers, banks, HMRC, the DVLA, insurance companies, healthcare providers, schools, and subscription services.
Should I redirect my mail when moving house?
Yes. Mail redirection helps prevent important documents from going to your old address.
What should I pack last when moving house?
Leave toiletries, chargers, medication, bedding, and kitchen essentials until last.
Can I move house without a removals company?
Yes. Many people hire a van and move themselves with help from friends or family.
Ready for your next move?
Every move is different, but planning ahead makes all the difference. Save this checklist, tick tasks off as you go, and you’ll arrive at your new home feeling organised rather than overwhelmed.
Whether you’re looking for your first rental home or planning your next move, the Pickard Properties team is here to help. Browse our latest rental properties across Leeds, including Horsforth, Headingley, Burley, and Leeds city centre, or get in touch if you have any questions about renting with us.
