10 Things People Forget Before Moving House

Moving house is one of the most stressful jobs most people will ever do, and in my experience, the stress usually comes from the small details rather than the big ones. The sofa gets moved, the boxes get packed, and then suddenly someone realises the broadband is still live at the old address, the parking space outside the new property is blocked, or the gas meter was never checked.

That is exactly why so many people search for things people forget before moving house. The good news is that most of these problems are easy to avoid with a solid moving house checklist and a bit of forward planning. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most commonly missed tasks, explain why they matter, and share practical moving day tips and house moving tips based on real-world moving experience.

1. Redirecting Your Mail

One of the most common things people forget before moving house is arranging Royal Mail redirection. It sounds simple, but it is often left until the last minute because people assume they will update addresses everywhere in time. In reality, important letters still get sent to old addresses for weeks after a move.

If you forget this step, you could miss bank letters, council tax notices, insurance paperwork, or even final bills. That can create avoidable delays, missed payments, or security issues if sensitive post lands at the wrong property. For families and renters especially, it can also be a headache when school letters or medical correspondence disappear.

The solution is to set up mail redirection before moving day and keep it active long enough to catch stragglers. Add this to your moving house preparation plan at least a week or two before the move. It is also worth telling regular correspondents directly, because redirection is a safety net rather than a replacement for updating your address properly.

Practical tip

Make a list of every organisation that still posts paperwork to you, then update them in batches rather than trying to do everything in one sitting. This is one of the simplest removal company tips to share with customers: do not rely on memory, rely on a written list.

2. Transferring Broadband & Utilities

Broadband, gas, electricity and water are often overlooked until the last minute. People are busy packing and sorting keys, so they assume services will sort themselves out. Unfortunately, that usually means arriving at a new home with no internet, or leaving the old property with bills still running.

Forgetting this can lead to service interruptions, extra charges, or a stressful first night without Wi-Fi, heating or lights. If you have children, work from home, or need access to online banking and communication, this becomes a major issue very quickly. It is also common for tenants to assume the landlord will handle everything, only to discover the account is still in their name.

The best approach is to contact your providers as soon as your move date is confirmed. Broadband transfer times can be longer than people expect, so this is a key part of any moving house guide. Utilities should be informed of both your old and new addresses, and you should note the exact dates and times they are changing over.

Practical tip

Book your broadband transfer early and ask whether the new property needs a new installation or can simply be reconnected. If you work remotely, consider temporary mobile broadband or a hotspot plan as backup.

3. Taking Meter Readings

Meter readings are one of those jobs that are easy to forget because they only take a few minutes. Yet they are crucial. If you do not record them on moving day, you may end up paying for someone else’s energy usage after you leave.

The consequences can be frustrating and expensive, especially if the old and new occupiers dispute charges. For homeowners and renters alike, failing to take readings can make final bills more difficult to resolve. It is one of the simplest but most important parts of what to do before moving house.

Take clear photos of your gas, electric and water meters on the day you leave, and again at the new property if possible. Send the readings to your suppliers straight away and keep the images saved until final statements are issued. This creates a paper trail if there is any disagreement later.

Practical tip

Write down the meter serial numbers as well as the readings. In some properties, especially older homes, the wrong meter can be matched to the account unless you double-check.

4. Updating Your Address Everywhere

Updating your address is one of the biggest admin jobs in the entire moving process, and it is often underestimated. People remember the obvious places like banks and driving licences, but forget online shopping accounts, subscriptions, school records, GP surgeries, workplace systems, and loyalty cards.

If you miss this step, parcels can go missing, official documents may not reach you, and account verification can become difficult. It can also create identity and fraud risks if old mail is left sitting at the previous address. For families, failing to update school and childcare contacts can cause avoidable confusion.

The best method is to create a master address-change list and work through it systematically. This is one of the most useful moving house checklist habits because it stops you relying on memory. Start with banks, HMRC, insurers, employer records, GP, dentist, DVLA, schools and utility providers, then move on to retailers and memberships.

Practical tip

Use three columns in a simple spreadsheet: “Updated”, “Needs action”, and “Done confirming”. That way you can see progress at a glance and reduce the risk of missing important accounts.

5. Arranging Parking Permits

Parking is one of the most overlooked logistical problems on moving day. Many people assume the removals van will just arrive and park outside, but that is not always possible in busy streets, permit zones or apartment blocks. In towns and cities, parking restrictions can cause real delays.

If you forget to arrange parking, the van may have to park far away, which means more carrying, more time and higher labour costs. In some cases, the crew may even have to wait until a space becomes available. That is why this belongs near the top of any practical moving house preparation plan.

Check both your old and new addresses for restrictions, permit zones, suspension rules or access limitations. If needed, speak to the council, building management or neighbours in advance. This is especially important for flats, terraced streets and busy high roads where loading access is limited.

Practical tip

Tell your removal company exactly what parking looks like at both addresses. A good firm can plan the vehicle size, loading strategy and crew timing more accurately when they know the access conditions.

6. Returning Spare Keys

Spare keys are easily forgotten because they are usually tucked away somewhere safe, not at the forefront of your mind. But if you have given keys to family members, neighbours, letting agents, cleaners or dog walkers, you need to collect them all or hand them back before you leave.

If you forget this, you may leave someone with access to a property you no longer own or occupy. That is a security risk and can also lead to disputes later, especially if the old owner, landlord or tenant changes the locks. It is a simple task, but an important one in any moving house guide.

Before moving day, list every person or business that has a key to the property. Check cupboards, drawers and key safes too, because spare keys are often stored in places people forget during the chaos of packing.

Practical tip

When you hand over the final keys, do a quick inventory of front door keys, back door keys, garage keys, window keys and mailbox keys. The more organised you are here, the easier the handover becomes.

7. Updating Home Insurance

Home insurance is another task people often leave too late. Once the move is underway, they assume the policy will cover everything automatically. In reality, you may need to update both your old and new address details, the dates of occupation, and the level of cover required for removals and storage.

If this is missed, you could be underinsured during the move or accidentally leave cover active for a property you no longer live in. That creates unnecessary cost and risk. Homeowners in particular should treat this as a key part of what to do before moving house, because the point at which ownership changes can affect policy terms.

Speak to your insurer before moving day and confirm exactly when cover should change. If you are storing belongings temporarily, ask whether the contents are protected in storage and during transit. Do not assume standard cover includes everything.

Practical tip

Keep your policy number and insurer contact details in your essentials box so you can reach them quickly if there is a problem on the day.

8. Packing an Essentials Box

The essentials box is one of the most valuable moving day tips because it saves you from hunting through dozens of sealed boxes after a long day. Yet it is still one of the most frequently forgotten tasks. People are so focused on packing everything away neatly that they forget the things they will need immediately.

If you do not pack an essentials box, the first night in the new home can become frustrating very quickly. You may be looking for phone chargers, kettle, toilet roll, medication, snacks, pet supplies, or basic cleaning items. That can turn an already long day into a miserable one.

Your essentials box should stay with you, not in the van. Include toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, kettle, tea bags, mugs, snacks, water, prescriptions, children’s items, pet food, important documents and basic tools. This is one of the smartest house moving tips because it keeps the first 24 hours manageable.

Practical tip

Pack one essentials box per family member if needed. For children, add comfort items, bedtime items and anything that helps them settle quickly.

9. Measuring Large Furniture

Measuring furniture is often forgotten until the moving crew arrives and discovers a sofa, wardrobe or bed base will not fit through the doorway or up the stairs. People assume their current furniture will fit in the new property because it fits in the old one. That is not always the case.

If you forget to measure, you may face delays, extra labour, dismantling costs, or the need to leave items behind. In some homes, especially older properties or flats with tight stairwells, this can become a major problem. It is one of the most practical removal company tips to address before moving day, because it avoids surprises.

Measure the furniture itself, then measure doorways, hallways, stair bends and room access at the new property. Pay particular attention to wardrobes, sectionals, beds, American-style fridge freezers, and large sofas. If something looks tight, discuss it with your removal company in advance.

Practical tip

Take photos and dimensions of awkward items. A good mover can often advise whether they need to be dismantled, carried upright or moved in a particular order.

10. Booking a Reliable Removal Company Early

The final item on the list is often the one that causes the biggest problems. Many people delay booking a removal company because they are still finalising dates or waiting for completion. By the time they are ready, the best slots may already be gone.

If you leave it too late, you may have to settle for a less experienced company, pay more for last-minute availability, or juggle your move around someone else’s schedule. That is especially risky during weekends, school holidays and peak moving season. Booking early is one of the simplest but most effective moving day tips.

A reliable removal company should be clear about pricing, insurance, access, timings and what is included. They should also ask sensible questions about stairs, parking, packing and fragile items. For families and homeowners, early booking gives you more time to prepare properly and reduces stress on the day.

Practical tip

Get quotes early, compare service levels as well as price, and ask whether packing help, dismantling and reassembly are available. Choosing purely on the cheapest quote can cost more in the long run.

 

Moving House Checklist

Use this simple moving house checklist to keep track of the basics:

☐ Set up mail redirection.

☐ Transfer broadband and utilities.

☐ Take final meter readings.

☐ Update your address everywhere.

☐ Check parking permits and loading access.

☐ Return all spare keys.

☐ Update home insurance.

☐ Pack an essentials box.

☐ Measure large furniture and doorways.

☐ Book a reliable removal company early.