- Start packing/sorting. If you are doing the packing yourself start as soon as you can, and certainly no later than two weeks to go. This will give you a chance to sort through your processions and have a good clear out. Click on the advice button for advice in packing boxes .

 - Car. Have your car/cars serviced, particularly if you are moving a long distance away.You will need to renew your driving licence and vehicle registration document as failure to notify DVLA of a change in address is an offence. For the Vehicle Registration Document complete the appropriate changes section on your registration document and return it to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AR
Telephone: 0870 2400010

For your Driving Licence Complete Section 1 of your paper licence* or the paper counterpart (D740) and your photo card licence and return them both to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN
Telephone: 0870 2400009

* DVLA no longer issues paper licences. Photo card application packs are available from your Post Office.

For more information go to www.dvla.gov.uk

 - Bank. Notify your bank/banks of your change of address and maybe consider transferring your accounts to a branch nearer to your new home. If you have anything retained for safe keeping with your bank or solicitors please don't forget these.

 - Credit/Store cards.  When you receive your statements, fill out the change of address form. This is usually on the reverse of the statement. Don't forget to notify any card protection insurers that you may have.

 - Schools. Let your child's school know when you intend them to be leaving, and advise the new school when you intend your children to start.

 - Inland Revenue.  When you notify your local tax office you will need to quote your reference number, this can be found on your pay slip/P60/code notification.

 - Insurances/Pensions. Contact your broker or individual companies: Life, Motor, medical and contents. When contacting your house contents insurers, check with them to see what cover you have regarding moving house, you may find that you are fully covered and have no need to take out extra cover with your removal company.

 - Landlord/Tenants Give the appropriate notice to quit or tell tenants of any change of landlord.

 - Doctor, Dentist & Opticians  De-register if you are moving out of the local area. Liaise with your hospital if you are undergoing regular treatment.

 - TV Licence/Rental.   Fill in the change of address part of your existing licence. Contact your rental company, if they are a large national firm you can normally take your items to your new address and your records will be transferred to their nearest branch.

 - Hotels.  If you need hotel accommodation during your removal, book your hotel well in advance, especially if you are moving within the summer months.

 - Council Tax.   Notify the relevant authorities in both your current area and the area you are moving to.

 - Parking Permits.   If you have parking restrictions at your present address or your destination. Please notify the relevant authorities in both your current area and the area you are moving to.

 - Pets.  Check out our advice pages for helpful advice. If you are intending to book your pets into Kennels/cattery do so now. Arrange for the transfer of your pet's records to the new vet.

 - Gas.* ;Contact your existing and new gas company's. Advise them of your new address and date of removal. Give at least 48 hours notice.
*The gas and electricity markets are now open to competition and you can choose your supplier.

 - Water. At least 48 hours notice is required by both your existing and your new authority to arrange for disconnection and re-connection of supply

 - Land/Mobile phones. Contact providers including Internet account and advise them of your change of address and the date that you wish your new number to operate from. Make sure that if your phone is to be disconnected that you have a way to contact your solicitor and estate agent.

 - Library  The ideal chance to return any library books that you find, no matter how long you have had them.

 - Mail. You can have your mail re-directed by the Post Office. This can be arranged by post. Just pick up a form at the post office, they require seven days notice.

 - Change of address. You can print out some change of address cards from the link above.

 - Subscriptions. Notify all organisations/clubs/charities to which you subscribe of your new address.

 - Newspapers/Milk. Settle all outstanding accounts and cancel.

 - Soft Furnishings. If you have arranged to have Carpets / Curtains etc delivery to your new address, confirm that the companies have the correct delivery address and date.

 - Borrowed or loaned items. Return any items that you have borrowed for friends and neighbours.

 - Children. If possible arrange for the children to be looked after on removal day. Check out helpiammovings kid stuff pages for pictures and quizzes to print off to keep the children amused and out of harms way on moving day.

 - Laundry. Do a last minute laundry.

 - Keys. Please check that the keys to your new home are going to be available, and that you know what to do with your own keys. Any spare keys clearly label and leave on the kitchen work top when you leave on moving day.

 - Parking. Check with neighbours and resolve any parking problems. The average removal van is the same size as a double decker bus.

 - Kitchen cupboards. Go through the kitchen cupboards and throw out anything that is out of date, also while you are there check to make sure all the packets, bottles and jars are sealed tightly to avoid spillage.

 - Valuables/documents ;Pack valuables and documents and put in a safe place

 - Split Deliveries If some of your furniture is to be delivered to more than one destination, confirm with the receiving parties the delivery date and time.

 - Dismantle & Disconnect.  Unless you have arranged with the removal company, you will be expected to dismantle any self-assembly furniture that cannot be moved out in one. Take down curtains and any fixtures you are intending to take with you. Make sure you have disconnected the washer and fitted the transit brackets to secure the drum. Defrosted the fridge / freezer unless you have arranged to have these moved with the food inside, if this is the case pack the contents into bags so they can be lifted out quickly.

 - Snack box. Make up a box of refreshments for the next day, bearing in mind that your cooker may be disconnected or in the back of a removal van. Include tea, coffee, sugar etc, and the most important item of all the kettle, you will have to keep the refreshments flowing as moving house is very thirsty work. A selection of cold drinks is also a good idea. Mark on the box "kettle things" or "brewing tackle" and it will be guaranteed to be last on, first off the van.

 - Toiletries box. Make up a box in the bathroom and put in the toiletries that you aren't using. Leave this box open to put in all the other toiletries in tomorrow morning.

 - Outside items.  Anything outside that you can move try and put either inside the garage or in a dry place, there is nothing worse than putting soaking wet outside furniture into a removal van along with all your other furniture.

 - Parking. If you have difficulty parking outside your house, it could be a good idea to park your own car or cars outside so that your removal van will be able to park outside.

 - Draw a map. Sit down and either write out some directions or draw a plan on how to get to your new address, including a contact number.

 - Mobile phone. Make sure that your mobile phone is fully charged up for tomorrow, you are probably going to need it.

  NOW HAVE A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP  

 - Bathroom. Finish packing the toiletries box, and then take everything out of the bathroom that you want to go. You can now put all the bits and bobs that you don't want the removal men to take in the bathroom and shut the door.

 - Strip the beds.  Put the linen into a box that is clearly marked or bin liners, these usually end up being placed on top of your bed at the other end. If you are having the packing done just fold the linen and leave on top of the beds so they can be easily packed.

 - The van arrives. The team leader/foreman will introduce themselves and their crew. Show the team leader around the house and exactly what is to go and what isn't to go. If you have emptied the bathroom of articles that are to go, tell him that there is nothing to go out of there and shut the door.

 - The kettle. Most important, moving house is very thirsty work for everyone involved. Keep the kettle boiling and the biscuits flowing.

 - Check every where. Once the van is loaded, take a walk around with the team leader to ensure that all the items to be moved have been placed on the van. This is your responsibility to make sure nothing is left behind. Check behind doors, in cupboards and on the walls. You would be surprised how often people keep looking at a clock on the wall, but never remember to take it down.

 - Wave goodbye. Say goodbye to the removal van, hopefully with your directions to your new house. Now read all the relevant meters and load up your cars/car. Have a last good look around for anything you might of forgotten. Check that all the windows and doors are locked when you leave.

 - Direct traffic. Once you are settled have someone stand at the main entrance that the removal men are using and direct them to the appropriate rooms. Remember all the furniture and boxes are yours so don't expect the removal men to know where you would like things. If you are having boxes unpacked, the contents will usually be placed onto a table or appropriate surface for you to put away.

 - Check the van.  When the van is empty, have a look inside so you know there isn't anything left, so if you can't find an item at least you know that it must be in the house somewhere. Check around the house and if you need anything heavy moving ask the removal men they will be more than happy to help. But don't take advantage, and have them move everything again and again.

 - Make the beds. The main thing to do tonight is to go to bed and get a good night sleep.

 - Sit down & relax.  Tomorrow you can start unpacking and sorting out.