6 Critical Things People Forget To Do When Moving Home

If you are paranoid about forgetting something when moving home, then this post is for you. We look at all of the things that people typically forget when they transfer to a different property, and how you can avoid making the same mistakes that they do. Here’s what you need to know. 

Setting up a mail forwarding address

One of the main things people forget to do is set up a mail forwarding address. They continue receiving mail to their old address often for months or years. However, it’s a good idea to set up mail forwarding early, ideally four to six weeks in advance. Don’t assume that it will happen automatically. When this happens, all of your documents will go to a new address. 

Transferring or canceling utilities

Also, don’t forget to transfer or cancel your utilities. If you don’t, you might be paying for the new person who moves into your home. Think about all of the utilities that you are using, including electricity, gas, water, Internet cable, and recycling. Most utility providers lock you into contracts, but they will make exceptions if you are moving property. Many will be happy to cancel your existing contract and then set up the next owner or renter on a new one. 

Packing an essentials box

Another thing you might forget to do is to pack an essentials box. This is everything that removalists won’t be putting in a truck. These boxes contain everything you need for the first night:

• Medications
• Chargers
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper
• Changes of clothes
• Basic kitchen items

Otherwise, you will be unpacking constantly on the first day and won’t have everything you need to hand. This can make your life much more difficult. 

Collecting important documents and valuables

Don’t leave any important documents or valuables in your property. Make sure you pick all of them up in advance and put them in a special box that you label. For example, you’ll need things like:

• Birth certificates
• Insurance papers
• Marriage certificates
• Passports
• Cash
• Bullion
• Jewellery
• Craft items
• Other valuables

Ideally, you should take these with you when you travel so you could have one essentials box for everything you need and then one valuables box. Keeping it close at hand avoids any stress from leaving it in a removal truck overnight. 

Returning borrowed items

This is another big one. Returning borrowed items is also essential when you move property. For example, if you borrowed a tool from a neighbour, then give it back to them. The same goes for any library books from the local library: return them immediately so you don’t wind up with large fines. 

Taking final meter readings

Lastly, you want to make sure that you take final meter readings so you document the amount of energy that you used or the amount of water that you used when you left your home. This is particularly important when selling. Providing utility companies with this information allows them to charge you correctly for any usage.