Two months to go

Check your tenancy agreement and give notice to your landlord. It’s always best to do it in writing, either in a letter or an email, and agree a moving date you’re both happy with.

Check if broadband is already available at your new address and, if not, research your new supplier. 

Notify your satellite TV, cable or broadband provider that you’re moving and, if you still need it, book installation at your new home. You may also need to ask your landlord for permission to install cable or a satellite dish. With Sky and BT, you can book installation up to 90 days in advance, while Virgin Media ask for six weeks’ notice.

Ask your new landlord if you can pop by and measure up to check your existing furniture will go through the doors or up the stairs. John Lewis has a useful measuring guide. The narrow corridors and stairs in flat conversions can be tricky when it comes to three-seater sofas and king size mattresses – one solution is to buy a foam mattress, as you can bend it around tight corners.

Order new furniture if your new flat is unfurnished – most companies quote 6-8 weeks for delivery but M&S, John Lewis and Sofology all offer express delivery services. IKEA will even deliver next day to certain areas, as long as an item’s in stock.

Six weeks to go

Book your removals company – you’ll get better availability on weekdays, and the cost is often lower, too.

Buy a selection of strong packing boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap, and start saving your newspapers.

One month to go

Redirect your mail for three, six or 12 months. This step is crucial, even if you’ve given your old landlord a forwarding address. Your former landlord is under no obligation to forward your mail, so if you forget to set up postal redirection, you could miss essential letters from your bank, insurance providers, utilities company, employer, or personal mail. You need at least five working days’ notice, but you can apply up to three months before you move.

Register for council tax at your new address, and cancel it at your existing address.

Contact your utility providers and arrange for your account to be closed on moving day, and for the final bills to be sent to your new address.

Two weeks to go

Start clearing out what you don’t need – you can sell it on eBay or Gumtree, or give it away to your nearest charity shop or through a service like Freecycle.

Start packing away the stuff you won’t need in the next two weeks.

Post change of address cards to friends and family. Even better, combine them with a housewarming party invite!

One week to go

Make a list of everything which has your old address as your billing address – like your bank account, credit card, store cards, loyalty cards and so on – and make as many changes as you can online. A few telephone calls should sort out the rest.

De-register at your current GP and register in your new area – you can find your nearest GP on the NHS website. 

If you’ve got a car, give DVLA your change of address and inform your motor insurance company.

Check if your new address has a TV licence attached to the property; if not, buy one or update the address on your existing TV license.

Arrange home contents insurance for your new address. 

Two days to go

Arrange to collect your new keys.

Work out your new route to work so you’re not rushing around on the first day.

On moving day…

Take a final reading of the gas and electricity meters at the property before you leave, and make a note of the readings when you arrive at your new property.

Happy moving!