You’re guide to a successful move
- Legal Matters
- Planning your Move
- Moving house Checklist
Moving home consists of packing and transporting thousands of different objects from one location to another. Given the stress of selling, buying, and renting homes, it is no wonder that people often give little time to thinking exactly what will or won’t be moved to their new home.
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Legal Matters
There are also the legalities that need to be checked to ensure that on completion day you can access your new home from 1pm.
What you need to do to help you have access to your new home by 1pm on moving day
It’s essential that you accomplish the following tasks within the two weeks leading up to your move:
- Check your property information, fixtures and fittings form so that you know exactly what to take with you, and what you have agreed to leave.
- If you require a mortgage, ensure that your legal company withdraws the funds 24 to 48 hours before completion day and you will need to check how much this will cost you in interest payments. Please note: Legal companies typically need to ‘order’ mortgage monies 5 days before completion.
- It is vital that you know the amount being transferred and when you will need to transfer the final monies to your legal company, (this may be an approximate figure at this stage if a mortgage is required). You will need to know how long it will take you to transfer the monies, based on your own banking arrangements and/or any other limitations (e.g. can it be done in one day, or will it need staged transfers over a week?).
Ensure that your legal company:
- Orders the final redemption figures if you have an existing mortgage.
- Secures an official search to ‘secure priority over the property’s title.
- Has prepared a legal statement, at least the day before the completion.
- Ask your legal company on the day before completion to confirm that your moving file has been signed off by a partner.
- Ensure that you are physically ready to vacate your property by 1pm on completion day and agree this with your chosen removal company.
See our moving house timeline planner
Moving to another property?
If you are moving to another property, check that the owners have done all the above and secure, if possible, in writing that they will have vacated the property by 1pm.
More information on the legal processes can be found via the following link: www.homebuyingandsellinggroup.co.uk
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Planning your move
The Removal Service
In most cases the removal company estimator or surveyor will visit you at home to discuss the details of your planned move. The services they provide will be discussed and agree with you exactly what is to be included in the removal quotation.
The removal company need to understand how much needs to be moved and if you need help with packing. They will then assess the time it will take to do the move, allowing for the distance and location of your new property. They will then arrange the appropriate vehicle, staff resources and packing materials required.
Packing
Packing can be the most time consuming and frustrating part of any move. If you can afford to have it done professionally, do so. Your removal company will use a range of appropriate packing materials and employ fully trained packers who will pack your things carefully. Alternatively, your remover can supply you with all the packing materials you need at reasonable cost. Simply ask!
What to Take
De-clutter cupboards, drawers, the garage and the loft. This is the ideal time to dispose of those unwanted items and will help keep the removal costs down. Most moving companies will offer a disposal/recycling service to help.
If you can, try to remove anything that is not going to your new home before the moving day. If you cannot, then just identify the items clearly, usually by using labels provided by your mover.
Special Items
If you have something unusual or precious to take with you, let your movers know. They will make special arrangements for artwork, antiques, wine collections, IT equipment, or anything else.
The Moving Date
Arrange the date as far ahead as possible, but do not guess. Keep your mover informed if you think they might need to react at short notice. We advise you to contact your chosen mover at least one month in advance even if you don’t know when the big day will be.
Mains Services
Your mover is not allowed to tamper with mains services. Arrange with your gas and/or electricity companies well in advance and remember the final meter reading on moving day. Also inform your telephone company and internet service providers. See our checklist later in this article.
Insurance
Most reputable removal movers will be able to offer you insurance for your goods in transit and in storage. Please check with your removal company if they charge for this (some companies offer free insurance) and if there is any “excess” on the insurance. Most removal companies who are members of the British Association of Removers (B.A.R) have similar trading terms.
Carpets and Curtains
Most house moves these days do not require these to be moved, however discuss this with the removal firm, as they usually can quote to take these down.
Light Fittings
Most of the time these remain with the property, but you should remove light fittings before moving day as your mover is not qualified to do this.
Self assembly furniture
This type of furniture is not designed to be moved in its assembled form. You should discuss this with the removal company. Generally, removers would not expect to reassemble such furniture although they may, under certain circumstances, be prepared to quote separately for such work.
Drawers
Clothes and other light items may be left in drawers, but heavier items such as books should be removed and packed. separately.
Parking and Access
Tell your mover if there are parking restrictions at either location. Your mover can usually arrange with the authorities for permission to park if required. Please also inform them if they are likely to face any difficulties getting access to your new home. These might include restricted streets, overhanging trees, unmade roads, small doorways, spiral staircases, etc.
Deep Freezers
It is advisable to run down stocks as much as possible – freezers are not designed to be moved whilst loaded. To avoid compressor failure, freezers should be empty and defrosted before the move. For short trips, the contents may be temporarily packed in boxes and reloaded at the new home. However, please note that neither the mover nor most insurers will accept responsibility for any deterioration of the contents. Once a freezer, or fridge freezer has been placed in position at your new home, leave it for around 30 minutes before plugging in to allow the gases to settle.
Multi-Storey Buildings
Tell your mover if you are moving to a flat or a multi-storey building and whether there is a lift (and how big it is!). Where possible, we recommend that you arrange for priority use of the lift for the day.
Spare Key
Sometimes the removal vehicle will arrive at your new home before you do. If you can, give the foreman a spare key so they will not lose any time waiting for you.
Maps and Plans
Please give the driver clear directions to your new home. A floor plan of your new home is also useful so that the foreman can put the furniture in the correct room. Colour coded labels can also help to identify the correct location for items.
Children and Pets
Older children may enjoy the excitement of the move and should be included as much as possible, both during the planning and the move itself, to help them understand the reasons for moving and reduce homesickness. You might consider having younger children and pets looked after by a relative or a friend while the move is taking place.
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Moving House Checklist
Make sure that you don’t forget anything important on your moving day by
ticking the boxes as you complete each task.
⌂ Arrange visit of estimator and discuss all aspects of your move
⌂ Receive and consider written quotation
⌂ Select mover by returning signed acceptance
⌂ Confirm dates with your BAR mover
⌂ Sign and return contract and pay the charges
⌂ Advise the moving company about parking restriction at both addresses
⌂ Arrange a contact number and give this to your mover in advance of your move
⌂ Dispose of anything you do not want
⌂ Run down freezer contents
⌂ Contact carpet fitters if needed
⌂ Book mains services for disconnections
⌂ Cancel all rental agreements
⌂ Notify your doctor, dentist, optician, and vet
⌂ Notify your banks, credit card and insurance companies
⌂ Notify your telephone company and ISP
⌂ Arrange to re-route mail
⌂ Notify TV Licence, passport, car licence and registration authorities
⌂ Notify all your creditors
⌂ Clear the loft
⌂ Provide your mover with maps of your current and new addresses
⌂ Give your mover a spare key to your new residence
⌂ Plan where things will go in your new home
⌂ Find and label keys for your purchaser
⌂ Arrange minders to look after pets and young children on the moving day
⌂ Send change of address cards to friends/relatives
⌂ Separate valuable items and important documents ready for you to hand-carry on moving day
⌂ Sort out any items which are not to be moved
⌂ Put garage/garden tools together
⌂ Take down any light fittings
⌂ Take down curtains and lift carpets (unless your mover has been asked to do this)
⌂ Collect children’s toys etc for the journey
⌂ Put together a basic catering pack for the family at the new home – including the kettle!
For your free no obligation removal quote, or advice about moving home contact www.removalservicesscotland.co.uk
