How to use this house moving checklist
This checklist is designed to be used as a working document. Start by copying it to your ChecklistFox account so you can tick items off, add your own, and share progress with others.
Copy the template to your account
Click "Copy template" to save it to your ChecklistFox workspace. Free - no card required.
Adjust dates and add your own tasks
Every move is different. Set your moving date, adjust the timeline, and add tasks specific to your property - storage units, pet transport, or end-of-tenancy cleaning.
Share with your household
Send a link to your partner, housemates, or removal team. Everyone can see progress and tick off their own tasks in real time.
Print for moving day when you're offline
Export as a clean PDF for your removal team, or print it for moving day when you might not have WiFi at either property.
Pro tip:Don't leave address changes until moving day. Notify your bank, broadband provider, employer, and government bodies 4-6 weeks early. Gaps in service and billing problems after a move can take weeks to resolve.
What's included in this checklist
This house moving checklist is structured across 4 sections - giving you clear priorities at each stage without being overwhelmed by a single massive list. Here's what each section covers:
8 Weeks Before
Your planning phase. Get quotes from removal companies, start decluttering, and build a realistic budget before anything else.
- Set your moving date and notify landlord or estate agent
- Get quotes from at least 3 removal companies (Important)
- Start decluttering - sell, donate, or discard unwanted items
- Create a moving budget (removal costs, deposits, new furniture)
- Start collecting packing boxes, bubble wrap, and tape
- Research schools, GPs, and local services in the new area
4 Weeks Before
Logistics phase. Book your movers, begin packing, and - critically - start notifying organisations of your address change.
- Book your removal company or hire a van (Important)
- Notify your bank, employer, and HMRC of new address
- Contact utility providers - gas, electricity, water, broadband (Important)
- Set up utilities at your new address
- Arrange mail redirection with Royal Mail
- Continue packing room by room
- Take meter readings at both old and new property
1 Week Before
Final preparations. Confirm all bookings, pack your essentials box, and make sure nothing important is overlooked.
- Confirm all vendor and removal company details
- Pack a "first night" box: kettle, mugs, bedding, chargers, toiletries (Tip)
- Defrost the freezer the night before the move
- Back up computer files and important documents
- Pack suitcases for the first few days at the new property
Moving Day
A focused list for the day itself. The final walkthrough step is critical - landlords routinely withhold deposits for items left behind.
- Do a final room-by-room walkthrough of the old property (Important)
- Check all rooms, cupboards, loft, garage, and garden
- Take meter readings and photograph meters
- Supervise loading of removal lorry
- Hand over keys to old property and get a receipt
- Check all locks, smoke alarms, and CO detectors at new property (Safety)