Moving House: a simple guide and to-do list

There are lots of things to think about when you are moving home. Having a simple plan of attack can help make sure things go smoothly on moving day.  We’ve put together a moving home checklist to help you think about who you need to notify of your change of address when you are moving, services you should discontinue or transfer to prepare to move home, and how to prepare for the big move. 
 

Before Moving day
 

Notify the following of your new mailing address:
 

• Bank
• Your workplace, children’s school and childcare
• Doctor, dentist, vet and other medical practitioners
• Your solicitor
• The IRD
• Utility companies and your local authority / council
• Electoral roll
• Friends and relatives

You may also wish to set up a mail redirect service with NZ Post, to make sure you haven’t missed anything.
 

Discontinue or transfer services for:
 

• Telephone and internet.  Moving home can be a great time to find a better deal and save on your broadband. Broadband Compare’s address finder can help you compare broadband plans and find the best deal at your new address in just minutes. Compare Broadband plans now. 
• Gas and power: Power Compare can help you easily compare gas and power providers at your new address so that you can find a great power deal at your new home. Power Compare currently have a fantastic exclusive offer from Pulse Energy especially for people who are moving home. Get a FREE box of household goodies when you switch your electricity to Pulse Energy!  
• Insurance: contact your insurance company to transfer your home insurance and car insurance, or look at signing up for a new insurance plan. Compare insurance plans with Money Compare.
• Water
• Sky TV, newspaper, magazine or other subscription services
• Lawn mowing or gardening services

Start packing and cleaning:
 

Hire Moving services: if you are planning to use a moving company, get quote and get booked in as soon as possible to make sure you get the date you want. If you are planning to do it yourself, booking a trailer or van as soon as possible. 
 

Declutter: Moving can be a great time to declutter and let go of anything you don’t need anymore. It can help to methodically work through each room and sell, give or throw away any broken, damaged, unwanted or unused possessions.
 

Set up a system: Source plenty of moving boxes, packing tape and marker pens. Try to give yourself enough time to label boxes properly, especially fragile items. Create an inventory of what you pack in each box, especially valuable items. This will make things much easier when you unpack in your new home.
 

Clean: Start giving your home a deep clean as you work through each room, so that you will have less to clean on moving day. Or, make life much easier and book a professional cleaning service as soon as you know the moving date.
 

Fridge & freezer: try to use up the food in your fridge and freezer, so that you can clean and defrost it the date before you move.
 

Embrace karma: try to leave your home in the same condition that you’d like to find your new one.

The day before:
 

• Defrost and clean your fridge & freezer
• Empty your rubbish bins
• Empty the dishwasher
• Disconnect your washing machine and drain water
• Identify ‘priority’ items you want to keep with you for moving day and put them together in one area. These could include:
  - Important documents like birth certificate, passports, legal documents, insurance policies
  - Valuable items like jewellery, money and keys
  - Some essential kitchen items together so you can easily access them in your new home, for example: the kettle, tea bags, a few mugs, snacks, drinks and toaster. 
  - Cleaning supplies 
• Put together any manuals or important notes you want to leave behind for the new owners

 

On the day:
 

• Take a final reading for your gas, power and water services
• Check the tops of cupboards, backs of drawers, sheds, attic/basement spaces for any forgotten belonging
• Be ready to meet the removal people when they arrive to explain your packing procedure and try to make sure you’re at your new home when they arrive to provide direction as they unpack. 
• Make sure you turn off lights, hot water system, has meter, electricity switchboard and lock the door when you leave
• Leave the keys with the appropriate person or agency