The move to a new home is an exciting and wonderful adventure… in theory. In practice, however, it can be a chaotic whirlwind of logistical hurdles and seemingly endless expenses.
No matter how many times you move in your life, you can still feel woefully unprepared in the run-up to moving day. No matter how well you think you’ve prepared, it seems there’s always something you’ve neglected to add to your to-do list.
Here we’ll look at some of the less obvious things that you should take care of when moving to a new house. So you won’t be caught unawares again!
The importance of setting up energy in your new house
Setting up a new energy contract may not seem like a high priority when you move. But according to the energy experts at Papernest, many new movers wind up paying far more than they should for energy in their new homes.
After moving house you’ll be put on a ‘deemed contract’ with whichever supplier the previous occupant used. Under this contract, you’ll likely have to use the supplier’s standard variable tariff. This is usually the most expensive that they offer.
Before you move, try comparing energy suppliers to see how much you could save in your new home. You won’t be able to switch until you’ve moved in.
But the closer to your moving day you switch, the more money you could save on your energy bills.
Renting? Ask to see your tenancy agreement in advance!
A tenancy agreement is an important document that deserves to be properly scrutinised before you move into your new rented home. The last thing you want is to lose part (or all) of your deposit because you unwittingly violated this contract because you didn’t get to read it properly.
Make sure that the rules are clearly established regarding minor cosmetic changes (like putting up pictures and shelves), changing energy or broadband suppliers, or allowing pets into the home. Tenancy agreements can be very one-size-fits-all. So make sure you flag any issues that may not be applicable to your tenancy. You should also make sure your deposit is covered by the Deposit Protection Scheme. This is a legal requirement.
Don’t let an important post get lost in the shuffle!
Moving usually involves a lot of time going back and forth between both properties. Sometimes this can all be done in a day. Other times it can be more protracted. If your move is likely to take a while, however, it’s important to ensure that no important letters or documents get lost in the shuffle. Leaving a forwarding address may not necessarily be enough to prevent this. Fortunately, Royal Mail offers a redirection service. This allows you to get your post redirected to any UK address for up to 12 months.
Pack little and often
Finally, it’s all-too-easy to underestimate how long it will take you to pack up your belongings. Even if your moving day is still some time away, the best time to start is now. Start with your non-essentials and pack little and often. This will make packing in time for your move much more manageable.