Things to Do When Moving House
By Lauren Prescott, removals specialist with 15 years of industry experience · Updated January 2025
On moving day, take meter readings, check every room is clear and locate the stopcock and fuse board as soon as you arrive. In the week that follows, register with local services and unpack in the order of bed, bathroom and kitchen, leaving everything else until you know how you actually use the space.
The short answer
- Take meter readings and photograph rooms at both properties on the day.
- Find the stopcock, fuse board and boiler controls before the crew leaves.
- Change the locks promptly if you have bought the property.
- Register with a GP, dentist and the council within the first week.
- Unpack beds and bathroom first, then the kitchen, then everything else.
Before the crew leave
A short walkthrough with the removal crew before they drive off saves a lot of hassle later. Check every room, including the loft, garage and any outbuildings, for anything left behind.
- Take meter readings for gas, electricity and water at both properties
- Photograph the condition of rented rooms, floors and fixtures
- Check lofts, garages, sheds and under-stair cupboards
- Confirm the crew has your new address and a contact number for the day
- Sign off any inventory if you are in a rented property
The first few hours
Once the crew have gone, a handful of practical jobs make the rest of the day much easier. Knowing where to turn off water or electricity in an emergency matters from the first hour you are in the house, not just once you are settled.
- Locate the stopcock, fuse board and boiler controls
- Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Check which keys work which doors and windows
- Make up beds first so there is somewhere to collapse later
- Set up the essentials box in the kitchen
Security on moving day
If you have bought the property, previous owners, estate agents, cleaners or tradespeople may still have keys from before completion. Changing the locks is a sensible precaution and often worth arranging for the day you move in or the day after.
- Change external door locks if you have bought the property
- Reset any keypad or smart lock codes
- Check garage and shed locks as well as the main house
- Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbour or family member nearby
Jobs for the first 48 hours
Once the immediate chaos has settled, there are a few administrative jobs that are easy to put off but cause problems if they are left too long.
- Set up council tax at the new address
- Register your new address with your bank and employer
- Check the broadband and TV are connected or booked in
- Introduce yourself to immediate neighbours
First week priorities
Within the first week, aim to deal with anything that has a time limit attached, such as vehicle documents and medical registrations, so they do not slip down the list once ordinary life resumes.
- Register with a local GP, dentist and optician
- Update your driving licence and vehicle log book
- Confirm your children's school start date if applicable
- Find your nearest supermarket, pharmacy and household recycling centre
Unpacking in a sensible order
Trying to unpack everything in one go is exhausting and rarely necessary. Working room by room, in the order you will actually need things, gets you functioning quickly without the pressure of finishing everything on day one.
| Order | Room | Why it comes first |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedrooms | Everyone needs somewhere to sleep that night |
| 2 | Bathroom | Toiletries and towels are needed immediately |
| 3 | Kitchen | Cooking and basic hygiene depend on it |
| 4 | Living areas | Comfort matters once the essentials are done |
| 5 | Everything else | Can wait until you know how you use the space |
Frequently asked questions
How soon should I take meter readings?
Take them on moving day itself, ideally as soon as the crew arrives at the old property and again as soon as you arrive at the new one, so there is no dispute over usage.
Do I really need to change the locks straight away?
It is the safest approach when you have bought a property, since you cannot know how many sets of keys exist. Many locksmiths can attend on the day of completion or the day after.
How long does council tax registration take?
Most councils process an online change of address within a few weeks, but it is worth registering within the first few days to avoid any gap or confusion over who is liable.
Should I unpack everything in the first weekend?
Not necessarily. Focus on beds, bathroom and kitchen first. Spreading the rest of the unpacking over a few weeks tends to produce a better organised home than rushing it in two days.
Planning a move?
BlueSky Removals gives fixed written prices after a free video or home survey. Call 0800 090 3125 or request a quote online.