The countdown to moving house - What to do once you have moved in

After weeks of preparation for the Big House Move, and spending hours packing up all those appliances and items from your previous pad, you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s now time to relax a little.

Of course, you realise that all those boxes have to be unpacked, and the furniture has to be moved to exactly where you want it. But you can take your time doing that, can’t you?

Unfortunately, however, there’s plenty more to be done before you can truly say you have settled in to your new home.

The first thing to do is contact utility providers so they can register you as a customer and start billing you from the day you move in. 

You should also contact your local council to tell them your new address, so it can bill you correctly, and if you’ve moved to a new area then you should register with a local doctor and dentist.  

Another must is to contact Royal Mail to ensure mail from your previous pad is redirected to your new home. Note that there is a charge for this service.

You should update your driving licence and vehicle registration documents, too, by contacting the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, and get in touch with Television Licensing to get them to transfer your TV licence from your previous address to your new one.

Finally, remember to update your details on the Electoral Register. Check out the Electoral Commission’s ‘About My Vote’ website which will provide you with all the necessary details on how to do this. You need to be included on the register to vote.