Moving guides
Practical guides for every stage, from your first moving plan to the first night at home.
Every move has a few common jobs: plan the dates, work out the money, move your belongings and make the next home usable. Start with the stage you are at, then choose the guides that fit your household.
Find your next step
Use planning guides to build a realistic checklist, packing guides to organise the load and removal guides to compare services. The moving-day guides cover handover, delays and essentials.
Buying, renting and local charges depend on the property's UK nation. Visit England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland for those differences. Add your own dates, budget and tasks to My Move as you go.
Banks, credit providers and financial records
Track address updates for household financial services and important correspondence.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesBroadband and phone when moving home
Check availability, transfer lead times, contract terms and temporary connectivity needs.
Read the guide Move planningBuilding a moving budget and contingency
Build a household budget with a separate allowance for uncertain and unexpected expenses.
Read the guide Settling inChecking your new home's safety and security
Locate key controls and organise appropriate checks for the new property and tenure.
Read the guide PackingChoosing boxes and packing materials
Match box sizes and protective materials to the belongings being moved.
Read the guide StorageChoosing self storage for a move
Compare location, access, terms, security and service suitability.
Read the guide StorageChoosing the right storage unit size
Estimate usable space from an inventory while allowing for access and stacking.
Read the guide Move planningChoosing your moving date
Compare practical date constraints across access, school, work and property handovers.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesCouncil tax and local property charges when moving
Route users to the appropriate council tax or Northern Ireland domestic rates guidance.
Read the guide RemovalsDIY move or professional removals?
Compare effort, vehicle needs, timing and total costs for both approaches.
Read the guide Move planningDecluttering before a move
Sort belongings into keep, donate, sell, recycle and dispose before estimating the load.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesDownsizing to a smaller home
Prioritise belongings, measure the new space and plan the practical transition.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesDriving licence, vehicle records and insurance
Identify vehicle and driver records that may need updating using the relevant official routes.
Read the guide Settling inFinding local services after a move
Find council services, healthcare, recycling and community information from appropriate sources.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesGas, electricity and water when moving home
Coordinate suppliers, opening and closing readings and account dates.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesHealthcare, prescriptions and care services
Plan continuity of healthcare and local registrations around the move.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesHelping an older relative move
Agree preferences and responsibilities while planning support and possessions.
Read the guide RemovalsHiring a van for your move
Choose vehicle capacity and check hire terms, access and driver requirements.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesHome insurance when moving
Check cover dates, property status, possessions in transit and overlapping homes.
Read the guide RemovalsHow removal quotes work
Prepare an accurate brief and compare included work, exclusions and possible extra charges.
Read the guide RemovalsHow to choose a removal company
Compare service scope, written terms, credentials and suitability for the actual move.
Read the guide PackingHow to pack for moving house
Follow a practical packing sequence from supplies to the final boxes.
Read the guide Move planningHow to plan your moving timeline
Set a realistic sequence while allowing for uncertain completion or tenancy dates.
Read the guide Moving dayKeys, completion and handover on moving day
Coordinate key release and access with the applicable purchase or tenancy process.
Read the guide PackingLabelling boxes and creating an inventory
Use a consistent room, priority and contents system to track belongings.
Read the guide Move planningManaging an uncertain move date
Prepare flexible bookings and contingency plans when dates may shift.
Read the guide Move planningMeasuring your new home before moving
Record openings, room dimensions and access details before committing to large items.
Read the guide Moving dayMeter readings and property photographs
Capture dated readings and condition records at departure and arrival.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving after a relationship breakdown
Organise practical belongings and moving tasks with appropriate support signposting.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving alone
Plan practical support, access and manageable moving-day responsibilities.
Read the guide Move planningMoving at short notice
Prioritise the essential actions when the preparation window is short.
Read the guide Move planningMoving costs explained
Identify the main cost categories, exclusions and factors that change a moving budget.
Read the guide Moving dayMoving day checklist
Run through the departure, handover, travel and arrival tasks in order.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving during winter or bad weather
Prepare access, protective materials, travel and timing contingencies.
Read the guide Move planningMoving home on a tight budget
Find practical ways to reduce optional costs and avoid false economies.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving home with accessibility needs
Assess access, equipment, communication and assistance needs at both properties.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving home with children
Plan childcare, routines, communication and move-day responsibilities.
Read the guide RemovalsMoving large or specialist items
Identify when pianos, safes, antiques or awkward items need a specialist assessment.
Read the guide RemovalsMoving long distance within the UK
Coordinate collection, travel, delivery windows and overnight contingencies.
Read the guide PackingMoving plants and garden items
Prepare plants, outdoor furniture and garden tools for transport.
Read the guide Moving dayMoving safely and avoiding injuries
Plan lifting limits, clear routes and help for awkward or heavy items.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving with a home office
Plan equipment transport, connectivity and work continuity.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving with babies and toddlers
Keep feeding, sleep, supplies and safe spaces workable through the move.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving with cats, dogs and other pets
Plan transport, containment, familiar items and settling in for animals.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesMoving with ongoing care or health needs
Coordinate care continuity, equipment and essential supplies with relevant providers.
Read the guide PackingPacking TVs, computers and electronics
Prepare cables, accessories, data backups and protective packaging.
Read the guide PackingPacking a kitchen
Pack plates, glassware, pantry items and small appliances in a usable order.
Read the guide StoragePacking belongings for storage
Prepare, label and position items for the planned storage duration.
Read the guide PackingPacking books and heavy items
Break up dense loads and plan safe, manageable boxes.
Read the guide PackingPacking clothes and wardrobes
Choose suitable methods for everyday clothes, hanging garments and bedding.
Read the guide PackingPacking fragile items
Protect delicate items and make handling instructions clear.
Read the guide PackingPacking mirrors, pictures and artwork
Assess packaging and when specialist handling is appropriate.
Read the guide Move planningPlanning temporary accommodation between homes
Coordinate accommodation, storage, belongings and duplicated costs during a gap.
Read the guide PackingPreparing appliances for moving
Schedule appliance preparation and any specialist disconnection or installation.
Read the guide RemovalsPreparing for a removal survey
Show the complete load, access and special handling needs during a survey.
Read the guide PackingPreparing furniture for a move
Plan disassembly, protect surfaces and label parts for reassembly.
Read the guide RemovalsRemoval company or man and van?
Compare service levels and which fits the scale and access requirements of a move.
Read the guide RemovalsRemoval delays, damage and complaints
Record evidence and follow the relevant contract and complaint route if something goes wrong.
Read the guide RemovalsRemoval insurance and liability explained
Understand what to check in contracts, cover, limits and claims procedures.
Read the guide PackingRoom-by-room packing checklist
Use a complete room checklist to avoid missed items and late packing.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesRoyal Mail redirection and post
Plan redirection and address updates while checking current official options.
Read the guide StorageShort-term storage between homes
Plan collection, access, redelivery and the cost of a gap between properties.
Read the guide StorageStoring furniture and sensitive belongings
Assess the conditions and handling needed for furniture, electronics and delicate possessions.
Read the guide Households and circumstancesStudent move-in and move-out
Plan student accommodation handovers, shared items and term-time storage.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesTV Licence, subscriptions and deliveries
Update recurring services and prevent orders going to the old address.
Read the guide Move planningThe complete moving house checklist
Work through a dated checklist from deciding to move to settling in.
Read the guide RemovalsUnderstanding removal access and parking
Document stairs, lifts, walking distances and loading restrictions at both addresses.
Read the guide StorageUnderstanding storage costs and contracts
Compare introductory rates, ongoing charges, minimum terms and cover requirements.
Read the guide Settling inUnpacking in the right order
Sequence unpacking around daily routines and available space.
Read the guide Moving dayWhat to do when moving day is delayed
Use a practical contingency sequence for late keys, transport or access.
Read the guide PackingWhat to keep out of the removal van
Prepare documents, essentials and items that need separate transport arrangements.
Read the guide Moving dayWhat to put in your essentials box
Pack the documents, supplies and personal items needed before the other boxes are opened.
Read the guide Address and utilitiesWho to tell when you change address
Work through a grouped list of organisations and people to update.
Read the guide Settling inYour first night in a new home
Make the home usable for sleeping, washing, eating and immediate household needs.
Read the guide Settling inYour first week after moving
Prioritise unpacking, services, safety checks and outstanding administration.
Read the guideTurn your reading into a plan. Put the next steps on your personal moving checklist. Create your checklist