6 Things People Often Overlook Or Forget About When Moving House
By Investment Desk
Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Whenever you move house there are so many things to think about that often, many get forgotten about or completely overlooked. Moving can be a stressful time, though so this is somewhat understandable. That said, you will need to be organised in order to have a smooth transition from one home to another. Here are six things you mustn’t forget about when moving.
1. Labelling Boxes When Packing
Packing is definitely at the top of your list - although you are probably putting it off because it can be such a laborious task! Nevertheless, when you are packing, do not forget to label your boxes because this can save you a whole load of time on the other end when unpacking. It makes sense to arrange your belongings by room, so keep all kitchen items together in boxes labelled “Kitchen”, for instance.
If you are packing a box that contains a significant item that you’re likely to want to find straightaway when moving in, then make sure the box is labelled with this vital information. For example, you’ll probably want to know where your phone charger is to get some extra juice into your phone or the kettle in order to make a tea or coffee on moving day.
2. Getting Your Finances In Order
It can be expensive to buy a new home. There are the solicitors fees, stamp duty, and moving costs all to think about and to factor into your overall budget for the move. Bridging loans are often considered by a fair number of house buyers as they can help you afford to buy a new property whilst waiting for the funds to come through for the sale of your own.
While this won’t guarantee you financial liberty in the short-term, it can be a quick and relatively straightforward solution in order for your purchase to go through. Acting sensibly and having your finances in order in such a way will prevent any hiccups when moving home - but this is not a point to overlook.
3. Notify Your Utility Providers
Something that doesn’t always spring to mind when moving home is the need to share the news with your utility providers. Whether it’s electric, gas, or water, it’s important to let these organisations know about your new address so that they can connect your supply to the new building. This is ideally best done well in advance of your move-in date to ensure a smooth transition and to avoid any off-supply issues. Be sure to take meter readings at your old property too so that you only pay for the usage that is yours during the overlap of the move.
It’s also a good idea to alert your bank, mobile phone carrier, broadband provider and the local authority (for council tax purposes) ahead of your move. That way, any bills will be sent to your new address and you won’t accidentally forget to make any payments. Broadband in particular can leave you in a sticky situation if not organised in advance as getting a new connection set-up is rarely made easy by ISPs.
4. Let Friends & Family Know
When getting all caught up in a move, sometimes you overlook the obvious stuff like letting your friends and family know your new address. It’s customary to send out new home cards to those closest to you letting them know where they can now contact you or come and visit. You can find a wide range of cute new home cards online.
While not necessarily friends or family, it also makes sense to notify your employer of your new address to ensure their records are up-to-date and correct. Don’t rely on others to get this sort of thing done, it’s important not to overlook any friends or family members as some might feel offended if you’ve moved (particularly if far away) without telling them first.
5. Organise Care For Your Children & Pets
The last thing you need on moving day is screaming children or pets’ tails to trample on. It’s important not to forget to ask a friend or relative to look after your loved ones while you are busy moving home. Relocating can be an extremely stressful experience and can often take up a whole weekend, so having a couple of fewer things to worry about whilst you get all sorted with the move is going to make a world of difference.
Of course, you could just hire a removal company and have them move your belongings for you. However, there is always the risk of your property and personal belongings being damaged when handing over to a third party and often the excitement of moving into a new home means you still want to be hands-on and involved. That said, if nobody can watch the kids or look after your animals, then it might make sense to hand over the task to a professional moving firm.
6. Apply For A Parking Permit
If your new street has a resident’s only parking policy, then you will need to speak with your local authority in advance about applying for a resident’s parking permit for each car in your home. If your new property doesn’t have a driveway, then this is going to be particularly important so that you don’t get caught out on day one and face a hefty fine. Most local authorities provide temporary parking permits, leaving you with plenty of time to get the necessary paperwork together in order to validate your permit for either six or twelve months.
Another thing to think about is how you will transport each of your cars to your new property. If you have hired a moving van, then they’re going to be left behind unless you or your partner go back for them. It’s often worth asking a couple of friends if they wouldn’t mind helping you out with this by insuring them on your cars for a day to ensure you have them at your new home.