Help! How to pack for moving day!

[Itsallchange]

I’m hoping to complete on 09/07 and move into a rented property, I have sorted out what I won’t be keeping/taking and packed up what we don’t use. I’m really starting to panic about how I get the house packed up fully and cleaned ready to be out on the morning of moving day! I’ve got a little freaked out by the recent post about money transferring at 10.30 and the expectation to be out then! I’m a single mum to 4 children so we have a bit to move! Arrgghh!
Also does anyone know at what point the completion date is confirmed?
Thanks in advance

Does your budget stretch to paying for packers as well as moving? Well worth it if so! And / or can you move into your rental a day or two earlier rather than doing it all in one day, or is the earliest date your rental is available the same as your completion day?

In our case we agreed with our buyers that we would hand the keys over at 1pm, assuming money had been received by then. Money was received by 10am or so but our buyers didn’t come for the keys until 2pm or thereabouts.

Completion is legally finalised on the day of exchange of contracts (when the sale becomes legally binding). Traditionally, there were two weeks between exchange and completion but it’s up to the seller and buyer to agree a date for completion and how long the gap should be. Due to COVID and the risk of self-isolating, I believe there have been a lot of simultaneous exchange and completion (on the same day). In that case, you will have to verbally agree a completion date in advance and just hope the buyer doesn’t have any problems that cause a delay.

If you are moving into a rented property, can you arrange for an overlap? If you can spend a few days taking things to the new place, that might be easier. Last time I sold, I moved into rented and I started moving as soon as contracts were exchanged. I had the place I was selling completely empty two days before completion so I dropped the keys off with the estate agent that day. They then gave the keys to the buyer on completion day when my solicitor called to say the money had gone through.

Sorry, I mean the day of completion to start my comment above.

I think with the best will in the world moving day does end up chaotic. I think chaos is often confused with stress. I don't find it stressful it's just exhausting coupled with the intense planning and organising that goes beforehand.

I sold and went into rented and lived for 6 months with minimal stuff, it was easier!

The packing service - there has to be military clearing out first, they will pack a solitary paper clip.

Pack for a weeks "holiday" for you and your children, clothes, toiletries, electrical goods ect.

Pack everything else, and from two days before the move, you live out the suitcase and when you do move, you've got a few days of clothes and all the important stuff in a few suitcases.

Everything else can be done as and when.

Can you move into your rented home before completion day?

If not ask for completion to be at noon. I would defrost the freezer now. Pack everything you possibly can now. So leave out sufficient plates, water glasses, mugs etc. The night before or early that morning you can pack those bits.

Mark all the boxes.

I always pack important documents in my work bag. Have a box of essentials like the kettle, tea, coffee, mugs, wine and any pet things. Pack a suitcase with bed linen, a towel for each, toiletries, outfits and pyjamas. These come in the car with me.

Have a final sweep around the empty house although there should be nothing left.

Maybe your children would like a bag each to put toys etc in?

Ask your moving company to put the beds together. You can then just make them, eat and get into bed!