Moving House Checklist UK (2026)

The earliest stage is about understanding what you can afford and beginning your property search. Getting your finances in order now prevents delays later.

• Check your affordability across multiple lenders. Different lenders will offer you different amounts — sometimes varying by tens of thousands of pounds. Use our affordability checker to see what 60+ lenders would offer you based on your specific circumstances.
• Get a Decision in Principle (DIP). A Decision in Principle confirms a lender is willing to lend you a certain amount, subject to a full application. Estate agents will expect you to have one before accepting an offer.
• Start viewing properties. Armed with your borrowing figure, you know your budget. View at least five or six properties before making any offers so you develop a feel for the market.
• Research areas and commute times. Visit at different times of day. Check broadband availability, flood risk maps, and local school ratings if relevant.
• Review your credit file. Check your report with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Fix any errors and ensure you are on the electoral roll. Even small inaccuracies can cause problems during underwriting.
• Calculate your full buying costs. The purchase price is only part of the total cost. Use our buying costs calculator to estimate solicitor fees, survey costs, stamp duty, and other expenses so there are no surprises.

Once your offer is accepted, the legal and financial machinery begins. Acting quickly at this stage keeps the chain moving and reduces the risk of the sale falling through.

• Instruct a solicitor or conveyancer. Budget between £1,000 and £1,500 including disbursements for a standard purchase. Ask for a full quote upfront and check reviews. A slow solicitor is one of the most common reasons moves are delayed.
• Book a property survey. At minimum, get a HomeBuyer Report. For older or unusual properties, a full building survey is worth the extra cost. Check our buying costs page for typical survey cost estimates.
• Submit your full mortgage application. Your lender will need payslips, bank statements, proof of deposit, and ID. Have these ready to avoid back-and-forth.
• Arrange buildings insurance. Most lenders require buildings insurance to be in place from the date of exchange. Get quotes early so you are not rushing at the last minute.
• Begin selling your current property if applicable. If you are in a chain, instruct your estate agent and solicitor on the sale side at the same time. Aligning both transactions is critical to avoiding delays.

This is often the most frustrating period. The legal process takes time and you may feel like nothing is happening. Stay in regular contact with your solicitor and chase promptly when things stall.

• Solicitor conducts local authority searches. These check for planning issues, environmental risks, and other factors that could affect the property. They typically take two to four weeks depending on the local authority.
• Review your mortgage offer when it arrives. Check the amount, interest rate, term, and any special conditions. Your solicitor will also review it. Flag anything unexpected immediately.
• Review and sign contracts. Your solicitor will send you the contract pack to review. Read it carefully, ask questions about anything you do not understand, and sign promptly.
• Arrange contents insurance. While buildings insurance covers the structure, contents insurance protects your belongings. Many providers offer combined policies at a discount.
• Start decluttering and packing non-essentials. Begin with items you will not need in the next month — books, out-of-season clothes, decorative items. Packing gradually over weeks is far less stressful than leaving it all to the final days.
• Get removal quotes from at least three companies. Prices vary significantly. Get written quotes that include insurance cover, and book your preferred company as soon as you have a likely completion date. Weekend and end-of-month slots fill up quickly.

Exchange of contracts is the point of no return. Once you exchange, both buyer and seller are legally committed to the transaction. Pulling out after exchange means losing your deposit.

• Exchange contracts. Your solicitor handles this. The move becomes legally binding at the point of exchange. You will agree a completion date, which is typically one to four weeks later.
• Pay your deposit. Usually 10% of the purchase price minus anything you have already paid. Your solicitor will transfer this from your account.
• Confirm the completion date. Make sure everyone in the chain has agreed to the same date. Book time off work if needed.
• Notify your utility providers. Contact gas, electricity, water, broadband, and council tax to arrange final readings and account closures or transfers at your current address.
• Set up mail redirection with Royal Mail. This costs from £33.99 for three months and ensures you do not miss important post during the transition. Set it up online at royalmail.com.
• Update your address with key organisations. Notify your bank, employer, DVLA, GP surgery, dentist, insurance providers, and any subscription services. The DVLA in particular can issue fines for failing to update your driving licence address.

The final week is about logistics. Everything legal and financial should be settled by now. Focus on the practical details of the physical move.

• Confirm removal company details and timing. Call to reconfirm the date, arrival time, and any access requirements at both properties. Check parking restrictions at both ends.
• Pack remaining items and label boxes by room. Label every box with its destination room and a brief description of contents. This saves hours of confusion on moving day.
• Take meter readings at your current property. Photograph the gas, electricity, and water meters. You will need these for your final bills.
• Do a final check of the new property if possible. Ideally arrange a pre-completion visit to check the property is in the condition you expect and that any agreed repairs have been done.
• Prepare a moving day essentials box. Pack a clearly labelled box with: kettle, mugs, tea and coffee, toilet roll, hand soap, phone chargers, basic cleaning supplies, a change of clothes, and any medications. Keep this box with you, not on the removal van.

Completion day is when the money transfers and the property legally becomes yours. Your solicitor will confirm when funds have been received — usually by early afternoon.

• Wait for your solicitor to confirm completion. Do not travel to the property until you have received confirmation. Completion typically happens between 12pm and 2pm, but can be later if there is a chain.
• Collect keys from the estate agent. The agent will release the keys once the seller's solicitor confirms receipt of funds. Check you have keys for all doors, windows, garages, and sheds.
• Take meter readings at the new property. Photograph all meters as soon as you arrive. This establishes where the previous owner's usage ends and yours begins.
• Check that everything works. Test the heating, hot water, all light switches, power sockets, taps, and toilets. Report any issues to your solicitor immediately if they were not disclosed.
• Unpack essentials first. Get beds made, the kitchen functional, and the bathroom stocked. Everything else can wait. You have earned a takeaway tonight.

The move is done, but there are a few administrative tasks to complete in your first week to make sure everything is properly set up.

• Register with council tax. Contact your new local authority to set up council tax payments. If you are eligible for single person discount or other reductions, apply at the same time.
• Register with a local GP and dentist. Do not wait until you need an appointment. NHS GP registration can take a few days to process.
• Update the electoral roll. Register at your new address at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Being on the electoral roll is important for your credit score and takes only a few minutes.
• Check your buildings and contents insurance is active. Confirm the policies have been updated with the correct address and start date. Review the cover levels now that you are in the property.
• Introduce yourself to your neighbours. A quick hello goes a long way. Good relationships with neighbours make life easier and they can be a valuable source of local knowledge — bin collection days, good local tradespeople, and which takeaway delivers fastest.