Idiots guide to what to do between exchange and completion

[IamwhoIsayIam]

Due to exchange this week and complete week a later. I've been trying to find a really simple check-list of things you have to do. Not the logistics of packing a house and moving - I can handle that - its all the other stuff. The things you might forget to do, any legal nonsense etc but not bins I have read a few threads on bin etiquette now

Anyone point me in the direction of a nice link? Or have their own list?

Change over utilities / tv licence
Make a list of everyone you need to inform of change of address, prepare e-mails / letters etc ready to go
Pack up anything that you won't need
Book pets into kennels to keep them out of the way on moving day
Massive spring clean to minimise what you need to do on move out day

That kind of thing?

www.postoffice.co.uk/mortgages/moving-home-checklist

Most removal firms have them too. I'm in the same position and doing this too. The website Slothmove will do some of this for you for £10.

Following

Car registration. I'm still getting parking ticket fines for a woman who moved three years ago. She owes £1000s now (I keep putting 'return to sender' on them but when can I stop??). So get your post redirected!

Clean
Check when is bin day for you nee place
Re direct post and change address, don't forget the DVla otherwise you won't get your tax reminder and your driving licence 😁
De clutter so less to move
Or maybe just chill before the big move 😆 x

Remember to read the meters

Book your internet provider to connect you up in the new house as soon as possible. They seem to all have a bit of a wait.

Redirect letters for at least a year so that you can catch those once a year letters subscriptions, etc...

Clean as much as you can so that you have very little to clean on moving day. If you are leaving oven and fridge, now is the time to get those cleaned too. Please don't underestimate this. Even I thought I was on top of it all but on completion day but there I was rushing through moping the floors one last time. Our solicitor called us at 9.45am that it was all ready so you might not have much time at all on moving day. I think our solicitor had the funds ready in her account the day before.

Post redirect as soon as you have exchange, takes a few days to set up.

Insurance for new house should be ready to go at exchange.
After exchange:

Call car insurers with move date and new address.
Call council re council tax, new council if applicable
Meter readings at both properties on day of completion : you take over the account at the new place, then switch for a better deal if you can find one.
Once you have moved, update driving licence.
Cancel insurance on old place after completion.
Address change with gp or new gp.

All the rest should be picked up by the redirect but do address changes as soon as you can.