The last-minute checks you need to do before moving home

This is a collaborative post

Moving home involves taking care of seemingly 1001 different tasks. Just when you think you’ve done it all, a new issue pops up, whether that’s having to redirect your post or give your neighbour's lawnmower back. 

There are a few basic last-minute checks that you can do to minimise the chances that you’ve forgotten something important. From checking the electricity and gas meters to making sure your new home has heating and power, these are a few of things to keep in mind.

Check the meters

As you leave your new home and enter your old one, check the water and electricity meters for both, and take dated pictures. On one side of things, utility providers can often ask for evidence at the end of tenancies, so that they can check if they’ve under- or overcharged you. 

On the other hand, you don’t want to inadvertently end up paying for the old tenant's bills in your new home. A simple check and a quick picture can make sure that this isn’t the case.

Check nothing is left behind

No matter how meticulous you’ve been with your packing, there’s a good chance that you’ll have forgotten something in a hidden nook or cranny. Make sure that you check in the attic, the eaves, the back of every cupboard and drawer and in the corners of the basement.

A short check now can save you plenty of hassle later on. You don’t want your slippers and towels to get mixed in with the new inhabitant’s belongings, and it’s an unnecessary faff to have to sort out. 

Photo credit Dina Badamshina

Check you’ve got the help you need

You’ll hopefully have organised some help for the day of your move. Whether that’s family, friends or a professional removals service like Bright Movers, it could be a good idea to double-check a few days before that everyone is set to help out. 

Make sure that they got the message, and that you didn’t give them the wrong date. It will only take a second, and you can avoid the ramifications of making a really annoying mistake.

Check the new house’s basics

Lastly, double check that the heating, water and electricity are all working in your new house, and ideally the wifi as well. You don’t want to find yourself moving into a cold, dark shell of a house, and it should be avoidable with just a quick phone call (although you may also have to check in person). 

If any of these basic necessities turn out to be an issue, you may have to find an alternative living situation for a couple of nights. Some issues might also be ok for a short while, but something like no heating in the middle of winter could be a health hazard.

Moving house is a hassle, but there are some simple strategies you can use to limit the chances of making some painful mistakes. By slowing down a little for a moment and doing some last-minute checks, you can make that breathing room to sort basic issues out before they’ve escalated into something more serious.