Moving House Checklist: What to Do Before, During and After Your Move

Moving house involves more than packing your belongings and arranging a removal company. Whether you're buying, selling or doing both, there are legal, financial and practical tasks to organise before you can settle into your new home.

Some jobs need to be completed early in the conveyancing process, while others can wait until you've exchanged contracts or moved in. Knowing what to do and when can help you avoid unnecessary delays, manage your moving costs and make the process easier to organise.

Our moving house checklist takes you through each stage, from accepting an offer to completing your move. It explains what you need to arrange, why certain steps matter and what to look out for along the way.

What does moving house involve?

Moving house usually involves several stages, from agreeing a sale or purchase to completing the legal transfer of ownership and physically moving your belongings. If you're buying and selling at the same time, you'll need to coordinate both transactions.

In England and Wales, the main legal stages of a property purchase or sale are:

• Offer accepted: The buyer and seller agree a price, subject to contract.
• Conveyancing begins: Solicitors or licensed conveyancers deal with the legal paperwork, property searches and enquiries.
• Mortgage and property checks: The buyer arranges their mortgage, valuation and any independent survey.
• Exchange of contracts: Both parties become legally committed to the transaction.
• Completion: The purchase money is transferred, ownership changes, and the buyer can collect the keys.
• Moving in: The buyer takes possession of the property and completes the practical tasks associated with moving home.

The exact arrangements will depend on your circumstances. For example, a first-time buyer will not need to coordinate the sale of an existing property, whereas someone buying and selling in a chain may need several transactions to complete on the same day.

You can find out more about the conveyancing process and the legal work involved in buying or selling a property.

What to organise after your offer is accepted

Once your offer has been accepted, you can start preparing for the legal and practical stages of your move. Although an accepted offer is an important milestone, it is not legally binding in England and Wales until contracts have been exchanged.

Instruct your conveyancing solicitor

Choose a conveyancing solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal work involved in your purchase or sale. If you're buying, your conveyancer will handle the contract, review the property's legal information, arrange searches, and raise enquiries with the seller's legal representative.

If you're selling, your conveyancer will prepare the contract pack, obtain the relevant property information from you and respond to enquiries raised by the buyer's conveyancer.

Instructing your conveyancer promptly helps get the legal work underway. You can usually research and appoint a solicitor before your offer is accepted, so you are ready to proceed when the time comes.

If you're buying with someone else, discuss how you intend to own the property. Joint owners can hold a property as joint tenants or tenants in common, and the arrangement can affect what happens to each person's share. If you are contributing different amounts, ask your conveyancer whether a declaration of trust is appropriate.

Submit your mortgage application

If you're buying with a mortgage, you should progress your full mortgage application as soon as you are ready. A mortgage in principle gives an indication of how much a lender may be prepared to lend, but it is not a formal mortgage offer.

Your lender will assess your application, check your financial circumstances and arrange a valuation of the property to establish whether it provides suitable security for the loan. If the lender is satisfied with its checks, it can issue a formal mortgage offer.

Check the offer carefully when it arrives and make sure you understand any conditions attached to it. Your conveyancer will also need to deal with the lender's legal requirements before the purchase can complete.

Arrange a property survey and valuation

If you're buying a property, consider arranging an independent survey to assess its condition before you commit to the purchase. A survey can identify visible defects, potential structural problems and repairs that may need further investigation.

This is different from your mortgage lender's valuation. A lender's valuation is primarily intended to help the lender assess the property's value and suitability as security for the mortgage. It is not a detailed inspection designed to identify every defect.

The appropriate survey will depend on the property's age, type, construction and condition. RICS Home Surveys include different levels of inspection, with Level 3 providing a more extensive assessment than Levels 1 and 2.

Having a survey carried out early enough gives you more time to consider its findings, obtain specialist advice or discuss significant issues before exchange of contracts.

Arrange property searches

If you're buying, your conveyancer will usually arrange the standard property searches as part of the legal process. These investigate matters that could affect the property or the surrounding area, helping you make an informed decision before exchanging contracts.

Common searches include:

• Local authority search: Checks information held by the local authority, including planning decisions, building control records and certain restrictions affecting the property.
• Water and drainage search: Provides information about the property's connection to public water and sewerage systems, including relevant drainage and water infrastructure.
• Environmental search: Assesses potential environmental risks, which may include contaminated land, flood risk and other matters depending on the report.

Depending on the property's location and circumstances, your conveyancer may also recommend additional searches. These could include a mining search, flood risk report or other location-specific investigations.

Search requirements and turnaround times vary. Your conveyancer can advise which searches are appropriate, when to order them and whether any results need further investigation. Ordering them promptly can help avoid unnecessary delays later in the transaction.

Find out more about property searches and which ones you may need.

Preparing for exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts is one of the most important stages of buying or selling a home. Before this happens, the buyer should be satisfied with the property's legal position, the results of their searches and survey, their mortgage arrangements and the terms of the contract.

Your conveyancer will guide you through the outstanding work and confirm when you are ready to exchange.

Review your searches, survey and legal enquiries

Before exchange, make sure you have reviewed the information provided about the property and discussed any concerns with your conveyancer. This includes the property searches, survey findings, title information and replies to legal enquiries.

If a survey identifies defects, you may need further investigations or quotes for repairs. Similarly, searches may reveal planning restrictions, environmental concerns or other matters that need to be understood before you proceed.

Your conveyancer will raise relevant enquiries with the seller's legal representative and explain any issues that could affect your purchase.

Check your mortgage offer and moving budget

Make sure you have received your formal mortgage offer and that it remains valid for your anticipated completion date. Check whether your lender has any outstanding conditions that need to be satisfied before funds can be released.

You should also make sure you have enough money available for your deposit, conveyancing fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax if applicable, removals and other moving expenses. Your conveyancer will tell you how much money they need and when it must be transferred.

Be particularly careful when transferring large sums of money. Always verify your conveyancer's bank details using a trusted contact method before sending funds, and be cautious of unexpected emails claiming that payment details have changed.

Arrange buildings insurance

If you're buying a property, check when you become responsible for insuring the building under the terms of your contract. Buyers are commonly expected to arrange buildings insurance from exchange of contracts, and mortgage lenders will usually require suitable cover to be in place.

Do not assume that cover only needs to start when you collect the keys. Your conveyancer and mortgage lender can confirm the requirements for your particular purchase.

If you're selling, check your existing insurance arrangements and continue to meet your responsibilities until completion.

Agree your completion date

The buyer and seller need to agree a completion date, which is the day the purchase money is transferred and the property changes hands. If you're part of a chain, the date will need to work for the other transactions involved.

Your conveyancer will confirm the arrangements and explain what needs to happen before contracts can be exchanged. Avoid treating a proposed moving date as final until exchange has been confirmed.

What to arrange between exchange and completion

Once contracts have been exchanged, the transaction is legally binding. You can now make firm arrangements for your move, using the agreed completion date to organise the remaining practical tasks.

Confirm your removal arrangements

Contact removal companies to confirm availability, costs and the services included. If you have already obtained quotes, check that the company has your confirmed moving date and understands any access or parking restrictions at either property.

Some removal companies offer packing services, storage or help dismantling furniture. Consider what you need and confirm the arrangements in writing.

Arrange utilities, water and broadband

Contact your existing gas and electricity suppliers to tell them when you are moving out and arrange final meter readings and bills. You should also contact the suppliers serving your new property to understand the arrangements for opening accounts and supplying energy.

Check the water arrangements and contact your broadband provider to see whether your existing service can be transferred. Availability, installation requirements and connection times vary by address, so check early rather than assuming your current package will be available at your new home.

You can use the Ofcom broadband checker to investigate services available in the area.

For more guidance, read our article on organising utilities when moving home.

Arrange post redirection and update your address

Make a list of organisations that need your new address. You may want to arrange a Royal Mail Redirection service to help ensure post sent to your old home reaches you while you update your details.

Royal Mail recommends allowing at least five working days to arrange a Redirection, although applying around three weeks before moving gives you more time. You can find current options and prices on the Royal Mail website.

Finish packing and prepare your essentials

Start packing belongings you will not need before moving day and label boxes clearly by room. Keep important documents, valuables, medication, chargers and everyday essentials somewhere accessible rather than putting everything into the removal van.

It is also worth preparing a separate bag or box for your first night. Include toiletries, a change of clothes, bedding, basic kitchen equipment, cleaning supplies and anything else you are likely to need straight away.

Moving day: what happens on completion day?

Completion day is when the legal transfer of ownership takes place. Although it is often the day people think of as moving day, there are important steps that must happen before the buyer can collect their keys.

Wait for confirmation that completion has taken place

Your conveyancer will arrange for the completion money to be transferred to the seller's conveyancer. Once the funds have been received and completion is confirmed, the estate agent or seller can release the keys to the buyer.

Do not assume that you can collect your keys at a particular time simply because it has been agreed with the removal company. The timing depends on when the completion funds reach the seller's conveyancer and the chain has completed, if there is one.

Leave your old property in the agreed condition

If you're selling, make sure the property is empty of your belongings and left in the condition agreed in the contract. Remove rubbish, check cupboards and storage areas, and make sure all agreed keys and access devices are available for the buyer.

Take final gas and electricity meter readings and keep a record of them so you can provide accurate information to your suppliers.

Collect your new keys and check the property

Once your conveyancer confirms completion, you can collect your keys, usually from the estate agent. Take meter readings at your new property as soon as you arrive and make a note of any existing issues or damage that need reporting.

Locate the electricity meter, gas meter, fuse box and water stopcock so you know where they are if you need them. Check that you have the relevant keys and access devices for the property.

What to do after moving into your new home

Once you've moved in, there are still a few important tasks to complete. Some are administrative, while others help you settle in and keep your new home secure.

Register for council tax and update your details

Contact your local council to register for council tax at your new address and close your account at your previous property, where applicable. You should also update your details on the electoral register using the GOV.UK register to vote service.

If you drive, update your driving licence and vehicle log book with the DVLA. You should also check your vehicle tax and insurance details.

Check your utilities and home security

Make sure your utility accounts are set up correctly and that your meter readings have been recorded. Check that your heating, water, electricity and essential appliances are working as expected.

Consider changing the external door locks, particularly if you do not know how many copies of the keys are in circulation. Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms where appropriate, and familiarise yourself with the property's safety features.

Settle into your new home

Unpack the essentials first and work through the remaining boxes at a manageable pace. If you have children or pets, make sure their immediate needs are taken care of and that the new property is safe for them.

Moving can take time to adjust to, so try not to put pressure on yourself to get everything done immediately. Our guide to managing moving house stress has further practical advice for making the transition easier.

How long does it take to move house?

The time it takes to move house depends on whether you are buying, selling or doing both, as well as how straightforward the legal work is and whether you are part of a property chain.

GOV.UK currently describes buying or selling a home as taking around five months on average. However, this is not a guaranteed timescale, and some transactions take considerably longer or complete more quickly.

Once contracts have been exchanged, completion is often agreed for a date around one to four weeks later, although the buyer and seller can agree a different arrangement. Some transactions exchange and complete on the same day.

There are several factors that can affect how quickly your move progresses:

• Mortgage applications: Lenders need time to assess applications, carry out valuations and issue formal mortgage offers.
• Property searches: Search providers and local authorities have different turnaround times, and some results may need further investigation.
• Survey findings: Defects or concerns identified by a survey may require additional inspections or negotiations.
• Legal enquiries: Missing documents, unanswered questions or complicated title issues can delay the conveyancing process.
• Property chains: If several buyers and sellers are connected, one delayed transaction can affect the completion date for everyone.

Keeping in regular contact with your conveyancer, responding promptly to requests and providing documents when needed can help avoid delays that are within your control.

Common problems that can delay your house move

Even when everyone is working towards the same moving date, unexpected issues can arise during a property transaction. Understanding the common causes of delays can help you prepare and respond when something needs attention.

Delays with property searches

Search results can take different amounts of time to arrive depending on the provider, local authority and type of search. If a search identifies a potential issue, your conveyancer may need to investigate further or request additional information before advising you.

Problems identified by a property survey

A survey may identify defects that need further investigation, repairs or specialist reports. This could affect your decision to proceed, lead to discussions about the purchase price or require additional time before exchange.

Mortgage complications

A mortgage offer may be delayed if the lender needs further documents, additional checks or clarification about the property or your circumstances. Changes to your financial situation during the application process can also affect lending decisions.

Outstanding legal enquiries

Conveyancers need satisfactory replies to relevant legal enquiries before they can advise that a transaction is ready to exchange. Missing paperwork, unclear property boundaries, alterations without the necessary approvals or leasehold information can all require additional work.

Problems within a property chain

If your purchase depends on another buyer or seller completing their transaction, a delay elsewhere in the chain can affect your moving date. This is one reason why it is important not to make irreversible moving arrangements until contracts have been exchanged.

If something does go wrong, speak to your conveyancer as soon as possible. They can explain the issue, what needs to happen next and whether it is likely to affect your proposed completion date.

Need help with your house move?

Whether you're buying, selling or doing both, having the right conveyancing support can help you understand the legal process and keep your move progressing. SAM Conveyancing can help with your property transaction, from the initial legal work through to exchange and completion.

Get a fixed-fee conveyancing quote and find out how we can help with your next move.