You've found your dream home, exchanged contracts and sorted your mortgage. All that's left to do is move in. That’s the easy part, isn’t it?

Well, there are lots of things you might not have accounted for – from finding the fuse box in your new home to letting your broadband supplier know you're moving. 

Make sure you don’t get caught out at the last minute. Read our checklist for the big day.

1. Confirm the date of your move

First things first, you'll need to get your moving date officially confirmed by your conveyancers and the house sellers.
If you're renting, you may be able to spread moving out and moving in across several days. This way, you can get into your new home and get any work done, like cleaning carpets and painting, without the stress of moving in at the same time.
If you happen to be at the end of the chain, you may find yourself waiting a long time for all the other transactions to go through. Find out your place in the chain, and plan accordingly in case things take longer than expected.

2. Give notice to your landlord (if you're renting) 

If you're renting, you'll need to let your landlord know the exact date you're moving out. Hopefully this will coincide with the end of your lease, as this avoids paying for both rent and your mortgage at the same time.

3. Contact your utility suppliers

Let all of your utility suppliers know that you're planning to move out – electricity, gas, phone and broadband suppliers will all need to know when you're leaving the property.
Chances are, you'll be moving your phone and broadband across to your new property. Give your supplier as much notice as possible, as moving service may take several weeks.
You may have to wait for your internet connection to be set up at your new property, so make sure you download anything important you might need, like appliance instructions, directions, and those films you've been meaning to watch.
If you find yourself without internet when you move in, try turning your phone into a mobile hotspot. It's not a long term solution, but it will help you keep on top of things.
Finally, take a final meter reading in your property and pass them on to the right suppliers. Taking a picture of the meter might help, as the photo will have a timestamp, proving exactly what the meter reading was when the photo was taken.

4. Get quotes on your removal costs

When it comes to removals, it all depends on what's practical for your budget and the size of your property.
If you're moving into a small property, or if cost is a large factor, it'll probably be cheaper to rent a van and get a few friends to help. However, that can easily add to the stress of moving day, so make sure it's right for you.
If you'd prefer a professional service, visit the British Association of Removers opens in new window to get a quote online. The British Association of Removers have an established code of practice, and are monitored by the Trading Standards Institute.
Regardless of what service you pick, make absolutely sure you've got all your valuables and personal documents in a safe place; keep them on your person, if you can.

5. Have a big clear out before you move

This is the perfect time to go through your old things and decide what is and isn't worth keeping. Before you start boxing everything up, go through your old clothes, electronics and furniture. Decide what's actually worth keeping and what can be dropped off at the local charity shop.
It'll save you a lot of time, effort and backache if you cut down on the number of things you need to move to your new home.

6. Make a list of where everything is in your new home

Most people wait until there's a gushing radiator before they work out how to switch the water off – make sure that doesn't happen to you.
Ask the sellers of your new property exactly where the following things are:
Stopcock (valve for controlling the main water supply)
Instructions for appliances
Gas and electricity meters
Thermostat
Fuse box
If you're selling, make a list of where all the important things are in your home, and leave it for the people moving in.
They'll really appreciate you going the extra mile, and it may come in handy if you need to ask them for a favour (like posting those shoes you bought online and sent to the wrong address).

7. Pack everything and label boxes

Hopefully you've had a clear out, so this should be a bit easier.
When you’re packing everything up, label all the boxes properly. Make a list so you know exactly what’s inside each box after the journey. Make a checklist of what's in each box, so you don't have to root around whenever you're trying to find something.
The Evernote app opens in new window is perfect for this, and you can download it for Android opens in new window or iPhone opens in new window.

8. Pay for bills, let friends and family know you're moving

Settle up all the bills and council tax still owed on your current property; you don't want any bills coming back to haunt you when you're all settled in your new place.
Contact the following people to let them know you're changing your address:
Your work
Your bank, insurance, pension and credit card companies
The council, electoral roll
TV Licensing
Doctor and dentist
DVLA
National Insurance / DSS offices
Post redirection services (this requires at least 5 days notice)
Tip – Don't forget to delete your old address from all online retailers (such as Amazon). There's nothing worse than realising your package has been delivered to an old address.
When that's done, send out one big email to friends and family to let them know your new address and the exact date you move in. They might not need it right away, but when Christmas card season comes around they'll be grateful you planned ahead.

9. Grab the essential for moving day

You'll need the essentials for the first night in your new place, so it’s best to make a box or two with the following things to hand:
Kettle, mugs, tea, milk, coffee, sugar
Cleaning products, plus vacuum cleaner and bin bags
Phone and laptop chargers
Loo roll, kitchen roll
Duvet and bedding for the first night
Temporary furniture - deck chairs etc.
Television or radio
And make sure you keep all your important documents, like your passport and mortgage paperwork, where you can easily find them.

10. Move in to your new home

Once you've unloaded everything, do a deep clean of the property before you start unpacking. This is definitely the easiest time to scrub tiles and clean carpets.
Unpack room by room, starting with the kitchen
Check all the utilities are up and running
Make sure you have keys to every door, window and cupboard
Find out what day your bins are collected
Finally, take the rest of the night off. Find a local takeaway, order something delicious and put your feet up – you've earned it.

All sites and links correct at the time of publication. We (the Post Office) take no responsibility for the content of any third party websites.

The benefits of buying a chain-free property

Occasionally when viewing the properties across our website, you may see three magic words - ‘no-onward chain’. What this means is that the property you are looking at has no onward purchase and therefore has less chance of breaking down. What is a property chain? A property chain can be one of the most frustrating aspects of purchasing or selling a home. It is created when there is a link of buyers and sellers connected through their transactions. Each purchase is dependent on the success of the one next to it and if there is one negative step the whole chain could collapse. When do things go wrong? There can be lots of reasons why a property chain can collapse.

It could be that someone changes their mind about selling their home, they might have a drastic change in circumstances such as a job loss or bereavement, they might find serious structural problems in a home that they were planning on buying or they might not be able to agree on a price and withdraw their offer or have an offer rejected. Why do properties become available without a chain? Occasionally we will list properties which have no-onward chain. This can happen when a property seller has inherited a property and simply wishes to sell it, the seller has another home already, the seller is relocating, the property is a new build or the property on offer has been repossessed.

Why should I take notice of a chain free property? The uncertainty and worry that comes with property chains is removed when purchasing a chainless property. Instead of being part of a delicate continuum of buyers, your purchase is reduced to just two major parties. This means that you should achieve a quick and secure purchase. For an ordinary, no hold ups, straightforward property purchase, conveyancing can take between 6 to 8 weeks, though 12 weeks is a more realistic estimate of time scale. When you receive your solicitor quotes from our conveyance quote engine, you can clarify timescale before instruction.

In some cases however, the process can be much shorter and in exceptional cases, usually those with no onward chain (being therefore chain-free), the process can be completed in as little as 4 weeks. (On the other hand, it could take much longer and be fraught with delays). If a property is considered ‘chain-free’ this means that it is being sold by someone who does not need to purchase a new property after they sell. For example, the seller might be moving abroad, or might be a property investor, or a property could be being sold on behalf of someone who has passed away. Only 10% of all property transactions in the United Kingdom are chain-free.

New build properties are chain free. When you are buying a new home straight from the housebuilder, there is no onward chain. Some housebuilders even have Part Exchange offers, so you don’t have to worry about problems with selling your current home. Generally speaking, the smaller the chain, the less likelihood there will be of delays since it is usually people that cause the problems when moving house, which impacts on the process for all involved. The smaller the chain, the less people there are involved and the less risk there is of hold ups, so conveyancing with no chain increases your chances of a quick transaction.

This is of course good news if you are hoping to move into your new home as soon as possible. As long as the paperwork is completed and filed in a timely manner, there is little reason why a chain-free property sale or purchase should take much more than a month. Though please note that even without a chain there are still factors that can cause a delay. Exact time scales are impossible to determine.

EPC certificates explained

An EPC certificates are shows how energy efficient your property is, the document includes estimated costs for energy and the homes energy performance features.

Epic Ratings

A certificate will have an efficiency rating between A and G and will look like example as below

Since Energy Ratings have been very significant in home sales for the last few years , new build home are geared towards achieving very good energy ratings , this is older homes sometimes need some or a lot of work to get a better energy rating as properties in the past were not built for energy conservation .

Things that will help energy ratings are as below 

Windows that are double glazed 

If you don’t yet have double glazing fitted, you could be surprised at the difference it can make to your annual energy bills.

Your initial investment will be fairly high but double-glazed windows will trap more heat inside your home, meaning they will save you money in the long term.

Double glazing is available in a variety of styles, so it doesn’t have to ruin the look of your home. When you are choosing your windows, look out for the ‘Energy Saving Trust recommended’ logo as this seal of approval is only given to the more efficient windows.

Wall with cavity insulation   

Un-insulated walls are another big cause of the heat lost in your home. Filling cavity walls could save you between £70 and £255 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

However, a job like this doesn’t come cheap – cavity wall insulation costs from £330 upwards depending on the size of your property – but some energy suppliers will offer funding if you’re on certain benefits. Give yours a ring to find out.

Insulated loft

Poorly insulated roofs and walls can be a major cause of energy wastage. But with decent loft insulation, you could save between £120 and £225 a year, depending on the type of property you have and where you live, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Upgraded energy efficient boiler 

Did you know inefficient boilers could be adding a few hundred pounds to your energy bills? That means that upgrading yours could be a great way to cut what you pay in the long term.

It’s also a great way to dramatically reduce your home’s carbon emissions – boilers account for 60% of the carbon dioxide emissions in a gas heated home.

Boilers are rated on a scale of A to G, with A being the most energy efficient. If yours is at the lower end of the scale then investing in a new one could save you a packet over the long-term.

Some simple things that you can do that will not cost a fortune 

Thicker curtains 

Energy efficient kettle and oven 

Turn off appliances that are not being used 

Get energy supplier to fit a smart meter 

Change habits make sure lights are off when not needed 

Keep doors shut.

If you have the money to do this 

Solar panels  

Solar panels enable you to generate some of your own heat or power so you’ll save money on your bills. Previously, you could even sell energy back to the National Grid with a feed-in tariff, but this scheme closed to new applicants on 31 March 2019 (anyone who has had solar panels installed before this date will still benefit).

However, the government is introducing a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) that means most suppliers will need to pay you for your exported excess electricity. This won’t start until January 2020, but some companies, such as Octopus, are already offering SEG tariffs to customers.

Northern Irish customers can already get paid for any surplus power they export.

Some solar panels warm the water in your tanks by a small amount, reducing your overall bills.

But those with photovoltaic (PV) cells actually generate energy and the Energy Saving Trust thinks the average home can provide 40% of its power this way.

The average PV system costs between £5,000 and £8,000, so it’s a big initial outlay, although it depends on the amount you want to generate and the space you have for the panels.

But the good news is solar panels work even when it’s cloudy, so don’t let the UK weather put you off. It’s also sensible to set appliances such as washing machines to run when it’s lightest outside to get maximum benefit.

What is the EPC register? EPC checker 

This is a government database that stores every property that has a proper PEC certificate and you can use it to look up a property energy rating, if an EPC certificate hasn’t ever been attached to a property it will not show on the register.

How long does an energy performance certificate last? EPCs are valid for 10 years. They were first introduced in England and Wales in 2007 so, depending on when you moved in, your property may already have a valid certificate. Use the EPC register's look-up tool to check if you have one - and, if so, whether it's still valid.

How much do EPCs cost? EPCs can cost up to £120, although the price is much lower for most properties. While all homes need to have an EPC before they can be sold or let, there's no benefit in choosing a more expensive provider, so make sure you shop around for the best deal. Going directly to a domestic energy assessor rather than getting one through an estate agent is generally cheaper.

Finding an energy assessor

If your property doesn't already have an EPC, you'll need to get one before you can sell. Many people do this via their estate agent for convenience, but this is generally the pricier option. To save money by arranging your EPC independently, search the EPC register's assessor page to find an accredited domestic energy assessor. How long does an energy performance certificate last? EPCs are valid for 10 years. They were first introduced in England and Wales in 2007 so, depending on when you moved in, your property may already have a valid certificate. Use the EPC register's look-up tool to check if you have one - and, if so, whether it's still valid. How much do EPCs cost? EPCs can cost up to £120, although the price is much lower for most properties. While all homes need to have an EPC before they can be sold or let, there's no benefit in choosing a more expensive provider, so make sure you shop around for the best deal. Going directly to a domestic energy assessor rather than getting one through an estate agent is generally cheaper.

 

How long does an energy performance certificate last? EPCs are valid for 10 years. They were first introduced in England and Wales in 2007 so, depending on when you moved in, your property may already have a valid certificate. Use the EPC register's look-up tool to check if you have one - and, if so, whether it's still valid. How much do EPCs cost? EPCs can cost up to £120, although the price is much lower for most properties. While all homes need to have an EPC before they can be sold or let, there's no benefit in choosing a more expensive provider, so make sure you shop around for the best deal. Going directly to a domestic energy assessor rather than getting one through an estate agent is generally cheaper.