If you’re in the process of moving house, congratulations! It’s an exciting but stressful time, with so much to think about. Not only have you got to think about the immediate things which need doing, such as organising removal vans, and getting the keys, but there’s a million and one other things going on.
We understand how overwhelming moving house can be, so we have compiled five things which you should do when you’re in the process of moving house.
1. Make sure that you have the correct house insurance
Having the correct house insurance is essential when moving house. Make sure to fully read through all your insurance cover to ensure that it’s correct and aligns to what you need for your property.
If you need to take out a slightly different policy, make sure to do this as soon as you can. Contact us today to speak to a member of the team about which policy would be best for you and your needs.
2. Change the address for your post
With all the stress of moving, you don’t want to get caught out with this one. Before you move make a note of any letters that you receive, and then you’ll know that this sender or business will need your new address. You can also pay for mail redirects, which are super helpful if there’s any addresses which you forgot to change.
Luckily most places offer paperless contact, but any company with your address will need to know you are moving house and you’ll need to provide them with your new address. The redirects just give you a buffer zone in order to get it all moved across.
You’ll also need to change the address on any other insurance which you take out, as well as changing the address for establishments such as the bank.
3. Get the locks changed
Changing your locks on your new property when moving house is an essential step on your checklist. It allows you to ensure that you’re the only ones with a copy of your key. Your property will be much more secure, and it’ll also give you one less thing to worry about.
I know it can be tempting to get a customised keyring when you first buy your house, but just make sure that you don’t include your address on your keyring. Even if it’s the house number, because if you lose your drop your keys, you don’t want a stranger to know where you live.
Make sure that you don’t forget the back door, and any other external doors which your property may have. If you’ve got a side gate, make sure to change the padlock/locking system on this as well.
4. Sort out the utility bills (and any other bills to pay)
Sorting out the utility bills when moving house is probably already on your list of things to do, but if you sort this earlier, you can shop around and find the best deal. You’ll need to sort the gas and electricity bills, as well as your water bill. Other bills which need changing are things such as your council tax.
You’ll also want to change the address for your broadband, and this needs to be done asap. Usually if you’re staying with the same provider, this is very straightforward. However, sometimes it can take a while to get it moved across, so definitely make this a priority.
5. Property security is key
If your exterior doors are looking a bit worse for wears, then it may be time to replace them. Not only will this help keep your home warmer, but it also means that it’s harder to break into. Older doors tend to be less secure due to wear and tear.
It’s not a good idea to leave a spare key outside your property, just in case someone comes looking for it.
There are so many options nowadays for home security, so there’s going to be something to suit everyone. If you simply want cameras and alarms outside your house, this can be a great help to ensure that your property is safe.
You can also get window alarms which are triggered when someone either opens the window or tries to force entry by breaking the lock.
Are you ready to move house?
We know that there’s so many things to remember when you move house, on top of the general stress of the move. You might find it easier to write things down as soon as you remember them so that you don’t miss anything off the list.
Need help sorting home insurance? We’re here for you when you need us most. Here at Carbon Insurance Brokers we can help you with Specialist Home Insurance, and Specialist Non-Standard House Insurance.
