Moving House this week - what am I forgetting !

[GeorgiePorge]

Sold my first house and moving out on Friday after 10 years. Movers are booked and everything is going to storage as we havent exchanged on a new place yet.

Im on the last of the packing, but keep worring about what have I forgotten to think about?

So far my list consists of:
Packing
Cleaning
Check meter readings,
Catch the cat

is there more to it than that?

Any help/advice greatfully recieved!

When you’re packing, keep aside a bag of “useful stuff” to save you looking through it all

Have:
Kettle
Mugs
Spoons
Tea, coffee, sugar etc
Biscuits
Loo roll
Hand soap
Hand towel
Phone charger
Big multi socket plug adaptor thing

Basically anything along those lines

Dealt with all your utility bills?
Cancelled your home and buildings insurance?
Urgent change of address (you need to do your driving licence and log book v quickly)
Emptied the loft? And shed?
Gathered up any spare keys left with neighbours etc
Collected any paperwork for the new owners - instruction manuals, boiler service record and documents etc
Give the lawn a quick mow.
Eat up your freezer contents

Redirect the post!

thanks! this had completely fallen out of my head, will get on it now!

thankfully I emptied the lift before going to market, and the shed is just the last few things.
Re manuals etc for new buyers, I never kept any of these.. so was thinking whether I should write a quick 'how to just to explain some if the quirks of the appliances etc... where all the shut off valves for the water is etc... would buyers find this helpful ir neurotic?

thanks, that is a good shout. I spoke to the movers yesterday and they asked me to keep the kettle out for them!

Don’t forget the milk! We had to go to the shop as they drank so much tea.

Also empty the bins. If it’s going into storage you don’t want to come across manky bins in a few months.

Tell the window cleaner.

Check address changed on any deliveries (Amazon, meal services etc)

Take final meter readings.

Check your doctor I’ll still cover you at new address.

For the cat - you need to keep them inside for three weeks. Cat litter, cat food and treats, calming spray/plugin.

Good luck😊

Change your address on your driving license AND the vehicles registered address.

Leave the new owners some flowers.

I always wonder if the new people think I’m a weirdo, but I feel good for doing it, so. 🤷🏼‍♀️

@MaddieElla

Leave the new owners some flowers.

I always wonder if the new people think I’m a weirdo, but I feel good for doing it, so. 🤷🏼‍♀️

No leave the new owners some wine!

We were first time buyers and the letter the previous owners left was very useful! Just stuff like what day the bins go out, the guide for the boiler, who they used to service/install burglar alarm. It made us forgive them for painting round the furniture to cover the bright purple underneath! 😂

Check absolutely everywhere on a final walk through - we left the bedroom furniture when we moved as it wouldn't fit in current house (buyer was very happy as he was a FTB). Week later got a message to pick up a bag of clothes - DH had forgot to empty his drawers 🙈

Post redirect
Window keys / spare keys
Welcome note or file ours had how to use the boiler / bin collection calendar / takeaway menu
Final meter readings
New home card and a wee treat for the new owners

Also decide what needs to be transported by you in your car.

I assume the cat! But also iPads, jewellery, important documents. Make sure you have enough space.

Disconnect the washing machine (if you are taking it) a bit before and make sure all the water has drained out.

If you are taking furniture apart, out the screws in a little bag and tape it to the furniture.

It’s a huge job.

Check your dishwasher is empty if you have one.

Make sure you replace the caps on the u bend under the kitchen sink where you disconnect the washer & dishwasher drain pipes. The person I exchanged with didn't & I had to go to B & Q after mopping up a flood for more caps.

Loft.

thanks everyone... lots of helpful things on there!

window cleaner definitely needs to go on the list.

Moving out the area... so will need to register with new GP, and my midwife just told me I will have to start from scratch with booking in appointment /scans (currently 19 weeks).

I think I am going to have a very busy few days!

I will definitely get some chocolates for the buyers as I am feeling bad about all the marks on the walls now the furniture/pictures have come down... but thankfully no horrors like having painted around furniture (plenty of that when I moved in though!)

if fridge and freezer going into storage, need to be empty (obviously) and bone dry. You need to ensure the doors stay slightly open, tape a couple of foam blocks in place to do that. If you store them shut they WILL be full of mould quickly.

also remember to fit the transit bars to the washing machine, and to remove them before you use it again.

Book the cat into a cattery if possible for a few days. Last thing you want is the stress of him/ her getting out or having to make sure they don’t!

I put my cat in a cattery for a couple of days. She hated it there but it was much easier with removal guys in and out etc.

Other tips - remember to check behind doors and curtains. No-one else wants your dressing gown!

Also, pack yourself a kitchen essentials box. All the things that you'll find useful in the first 24-48 hours - bread, jam, marmite, pasta, jars of sauces, etc, etc. Means you have the chance to have something to eat without resorting to a takeaway.

Also, if you're moving fridge contents make sure you've got a cool bag and have frozen some freezer plates the day before.

I always pack a suitcase with bed linen for when the beds are put together, some toiletries, clothing for the next day and anything important goes in my work bag. How exciting!

Redirect mail and call up those things like pension plans and banks and let therm know you’re moving.

thanks everyone this was all really helpful advice.
I had intended to put the cat in a cattery and then realised too late that his vaccinations had lapsed and they wouldn't take him... but he was very good and didn't run away or get too stressed.

Move went ok, and thanks to the above I don't think I forgot anything more important than the door mat, and movers were kept in tea and coffee so they were very happy.

Finally got a date for our new house so get to do it in reverse in two weeks time!

Might be worth keeping the keys for the meters somewhere only you know where they are. I'd had ours out all morning on kitchen unit with list of things to do, in the panic to get out (completion happened early and purchaser on our doorstep), someone packed them up and we couldn't find them.