So, you’ve found your new dream home – CONGRATULATIONS – the hours spent property searching have paid off – and now it’s time to start planning the big move.
Feeling excited, nervous, overwhelmed, or all of the above? If you’re unsure where to start then you’ve come to the right place.
They say a job well planned is a job half done, so before you do anything, sit down with a cuppa and have a read of our step by step guide to moving house.
When the time to move to a new apartment finally arrives, legalities come first. If you rent – whether alone, with your partner or housemates, make sure to end your tenancy on time. Find your current tenancy agreement to check what type of tenancy you have, the minimum notice you need to give, and if there is a break clause. For more specific information, visit Citizens Advice.
Yes, it’s a morning or afternoon lost to life-admin, but this step is a must. Contact your utility providers – water, gas, electricity, TV & broadband – and let them know your leaving date so that they can produce a final bill for you. Depending on where you’re moving to, some may be able to set up your bills for the new home, but it’s always worth checking comparison sites too to make sure you’re getting the very best deal.
Remember that security deposit you paid before moving in? It’s time to get it back. It’s important to still pay your last month’s rent and any bills up to the vacating date. While it may make sense to offer your landlord your security deposit to cover the last month’s rent payment, most will be held in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDP), which protects both parties if something were to go wrong.
Gather all the property keys, replace burnt-out light bulbs and make sure smoke detectors and other alarms are working. Compare any pre-existing and current damage, and make sure all furniture and items are in place and checked off from your inventory. Don’t lose your head over worn carpets or paint fading – fair wear and tear is the owner’s responsibility.
Moving to a new place is the perfect time to embrace The KonMari Method™ (yes that’s a trademark for Marie Kondo’s approach to tidying) and focus on the possessions that spark joy!
Long before you start packing the boxes, start getting rid of the excess you no longer need. Decluttering methods can save much-needed time, effort, and money. The options are endless: you can rent-out your clothes with LOANHOOD or sell second-hand on Vinted. Give away extra food or household items using Olio and donate the stuff you no longer need to a local charity.
To speed up the decluttering process, prepare and label five boxes: trash, recycle, sell, donate and re-organize.
Give yourself a few weeks in advance to make the right decision on whether you’ll bring the old items to your new apartment. The less clutter you have, the less time you’ll spend unpacking and you can jump straight into enjoying your new home and dressing it with all of your favourite things.
Once your decluttering boxes are ready for recycling, it’s time to take care of the items you will be moving. Ask yourself how many boxes do I need for a two-bedroom house?
This packing calculator tells you how many boxes you should prepare based on your household size. But moving boxes are not the only equipment you’ll need. Stock up on foam wrap sheets, bubble wrap, coloured stickers, labels, packing paper, and tapes – life (and time) savers.
We know that the thought of moving out can feel a bit overwhelming, but moving homes is one of the most exciting things you’ll do in life, and you can make it fun!
See the process as a chance to share happy times with your loved ones, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family to help out. Make sure to invite them to your packing party well in advance (value their free time!) and prepare drinks, order pizza, and avoid yelling ‘pivot!’
It’s time to get down and dirty, or as landlords like to call it – do a deep clean. Your best option is to leave this for your final few days before the moving date. Create multiple room-by-room checklists and go from there… It may sound like a stretch, but move-out cleaning can be fun – gather your cleaning supplies, put some old clothes on, and turn up the music.
Tune into our Moving into your new home playlist on Spotify for ultimate moving tunes!
If we still haven’t convinced you to enjoy your move-out cleaning party, you can always hire a professional cleaning service.
It’s so easy to forget about taking care of yourself while you are in the process of moving homes. Creating a survival kit with your favourite snacks and drinks as well as all the important stuff: crucial documents, phones, electronic devices, keys, medications…
Everyone’s needs are different, so your best option is to write down a first-day survival checklist and create a DIY moving survival kit.
Here are our survival kit items suggestions – save it for inspo:
If you took Step 4 VERY seriously, you might be able to move to your new flat with just one suitcase. In reality, you will need to make sure to organise a moving truck rental service or prepare for multiple car rides. If you are moving abroad, ship your belongings in time.
Here is a tip to make the most of your moving truck or car: play Tetris! Load the heaviest items first, then longest, and once furniture and large loads are done, move to big boxes, and fill the holes with odd shapes and fragile items. Strap all the units down and save the lightest items for the end!
HOORAY – You’re on your way!
Since we were founded in 2013, Get Living has been on a mission to simplify the renting process and create vibrant, diverse, inclusive, well-connected neighbourhoods across the UK. Our apartments for rent come fully-furnished as standard, as does Wi-Fi included, bike storage and resident events! We have 24/7 security in all our locations and a Get Living Resident Team based in each neighbourhood to ensure our residents can always drop in to see us.
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Get Living offers diverse neighbourhoods built for renters across London and Manchester. Each built with the area and its residents in mind with independent retailers, free events and surrounding green spaces.
There’s a home suited for everyone with studios to 1-4 bedroom homes and apartments available to rent. As standard, homes come with Wifi included, the freedom to decorate and on-site maintenance.
