Preparing to move in to your new home
If you’re about to move into rented accommodation for the first time, it can be a daunting as well as an exciting time. Whether you’re arranging the move yourself, have persuaded friends and family to help out, or are hiring a removals firm, here are a few tips to help you minimise the stress and make moving into your new property as easy as it can be.
Register today! Be amongst the first to see the latest homes to rent in your area.
Moving in checklist
Take the time to try and be as organised as possible in the weeks leading up to moving day.
Allow time for packing
Now’s the time to get rid of things you don’t want or need or simply won’t have space for in your new property. See if you can take items to charity shops, or recycle them sustainably. Order boxes and other packaging material, like tape and bubble wrap, in advance to ensure your more fragile items are well protected. Try and work out how many boxes you need – it is estimated that at least 60-70 boxes are needed for an average house move. Buy the boxes in bulk to save money.
Pick a good move-in day
Once you have signed the tenancy agreement, you don’t have to feel pressured to move in on the day the agreement starts. Choose a day that’s suitable for you, book the day off work and don’t try to fit it in on a day when you already have commitments. Moving day can be stressful enough!
Be present for your inventory
At the beginning of a tenancy the landlord will conduct an inventory of the property – also called a ‘schedule of condition’ or ‘check-in’ report. This is a list of the items, fixtures and fittings that are in the property at the start of the tenancy, and their condition, so that if any disputes arise at the end of the tenancy both parties have the inventory to refer back to.
While it may not always be possible, it is advisable for tenants to attend the property on the day the inventory takes place, usually a few days before the official start of the tenancy. Some tenancy deposit schemes recommend that tenants attend, so that there is less potential for disputes to occur, as any dispute may affect the amount of deposit that is returned. It is always better to see the condition of a property in person than just to read a report or view some photographs. This is also an opportunity for appliances to be fully checked and for the tenant to share any concerns they may have with the landlord.
Notify service providers about your new address
Make a list of all the organisations you need to inform of your new address. These include utility companies, your bank, local council, doctors, employer and the DVLA. You should be able to do most if not all of this online, through apps and websites, rather than having to send an email or letter to each company. This way all your post and bills will be redirected to the new address.
Sort utilities ahead of time
In terms of services like broadband and satellite TV, it is best to give your service providers as much notice as possible about your move. Sometimes they won’t be able to get you set up in your new home on the day you move in, and there may be a delay of anything from a few days to a few weeks. If there is going to be a suspension of service, particularly access to the internet, make sure you this does not affect your employment or day-to-day essentials. Utilities like gas, electric and water will usually be accessible from the day you move in, but the companies will need to be informed about meter readings at your previous and new address.
Set up a postal redirect
The Royal Mail operates a redirection service, so that any post can be sent to your new address. You have the option of keeping the redirection in place for specific periods, usually from three months to a year, depending on how much time you think you need to inform all the people and organisations about your new address.
Get contents insurance
If you have rented before, you should already have contents insurance in place. If so, notify your insurance provider of your new address. The premium may change. If this is the first time that you have rented or lived independently, you need to take out a contents insurance policy. Most letting agents will insist on this before your tenancy begins, and will ask you for your policy number and the name of your insurance provider.
Looking to move to a new home?
If you are looking for a home to rent, or would like to talk to one of our experts about any aspect of renting, get in touch with your local branch, who will be happy to help.