Before moving anything in

Before moving any of your belongings into your new home, its important to make sure that everything is as it should be. You may have had a list of repairs you expected – or this may be the first time you've seen the house empty. Take some time to go around with a notepad and check all of the sockets for obvious signs of wear and tear and look for damage that you might be otherwise liable for.

Ensure that any cupboards are empty, free of damp, mold or bad smells, and keep a close note of what where the electricity, water and gas stopcocks are. While doing this, you'll also be getting a feel for where you can place any furniture, how to get it up any stairs or even just into the house. Note down any damage or concerns you have to be discussed with whomever you're dealing with – its important to have these notes before moving anything in so that you can get the problems remedied as soon as possible.

If you're letting from a landlord, he'll give you a list of any fittings, fixtures and furniture he's leaving – its very common nowadays for landlords to leave 'white goods' – kitchen appliances, such as the fridge, freezer, washing machine and cooker. If you're letting, your landlord should also give you contact details, emergency repair numbers and any paperwork pertaining to these emergency repairs that you may need. You may also want to get bank details or arrange a good time to come and collect rent. Any final paperwork can be signed now, and then you can start making your new place your own.

You should also ensure that the central heating and boiler are working correctly and collect any manuals for these from the previous occupant – these manuals will save you a lot of frustration in the long run.

Just before you move, you should go through the following checklist and ensure you've taken care of everything on it.

Have you arranged new utilities for your new house?

Have you taken final meter readings and phoned them in – or will phone them in on the first day the utilities are open?

Have you informed your bank, mobile phone and any other companies who regularly bill you at your old address of your new address?

Do you regularly contract a gardener, milk delivery, maid service or other third party service that you need to cancel?

Have you arranged a mail redirect?

Have you turned off the gas, water and electricity, if asked?

Have you stopped all utilities, and informed any tax or local authorities of your move so that they can adjust your final bill and have it forwarded to your house?

Is everything packed, removed, binned or accounted for?

If you are leaving furniture, have you checked that there's nothing in, underneath, behind or on top of it?

Have you fulfilled any items that will ensure the return of your deposit (if you had one?)

Is everything packed and clearly marked?

Have you paid, or do you have the means to pay for your new house, if required?

Have you clearly explained, or marked out any repairs required within your old house?

Have you left any manuals that you don't need, for appliances or items you're leaving behind?

Have you transferred things like your driver's license, visa, passport or work permit to your new address?

Once you've ensured you've taken care of everything, you can move on to your new house knowing that you're able to continue your life without fear of disruption, identity theft or needing to contact the new occupants of the house with your problems. You'll also be able to relax and enjoy the move itself.