Moving house tips UK: what to do when moving (2027)

The best moving house tips in the UK come down to planning around the realities of a British move: property chains, late key releases, narrow streets and permit parking. Below you will find practical advice for before, during and after your move, based on the situations our teams see every week, plus a moving day checklist. For the wider picture, including area research and costs, see our complete guide to moving house in the UK.

Tips for moving house: Before the move

Pick your date with the chain in mind

If you are buying or selling, your moving day is your completion day, and it is agreed at exchange of contracts. Friday is the most popular day to complete, which makes Friday removal slots the first to go. It also carries a risk: if funds are delayed down the chain, a Friday completion can slip into Monday, leaving you with a loaded van over the weekend. A Tuesday to Thursday completion gives everyone more room to recover from delays.

Completions cannot take place on bank holidays, as the CHAPS payment system used to transfer funds does not run. The days either side of a bank holiday weekend are busy as a result, so book early if you are aiming for the end of May or late August.

Watch for school holiday peaks

Families often aim to move during the summer holidays so children can start a new school in September. Late July and August are among the busiest weeks of the year for removals, along with end-of-month dates. If you have school-age children and need a summer date, book your removal company as soon as you have a likely completion window. Our removal costs guide explains how timing affects price.

Check access at both properties

UK housing throws up specific access challenges, so tell your removal company about them at survey stage.

• Terraced streets: in areas such as Clifton and Bedminster in Bristol or Headingley and Hyde Park in Leeds, streets of Victorian terraces are often narrow, with cars parked on both sides. A large lorry may not fit, so the team may use a smaller vehicle or shuttle loads.
• Flats with lifts: many London blocks require you to book the service lift and a moving slot with the building management or concierge. Ask about lift protection, loading bay times and whether a certificate of insurance is required.
• Tenements: Edinburgh tenements in areas such as Marchmont or Leith often have shared stairs and no lift. Check the stair width, tell your neighbours and confirm whether the factor has any rules about moving times.
• Large items: measure sofas, wardrobes and American-style fridge freezers against doorways and stairwells. Our oversized furniture moving service can help where things are tight.

Arrange parking early

In most London boroughs and many other cities, you cannot simply leave a removal van in a residents' bay. You will usually need a parking suspension or dispensation from the council, which reserves bays outside your home. Each borough sets its own notice period and fee, and some ask for applications well over a week ahead, so apply as soon as your date is fixed. Ask your removal company whether they can arrange this for you.

Declutter and pack in the right order

Your quote is based on volume, so clear out the loft, garage and shed before your survey. Start packing the rooms you use least, put heavy items in small boxes and label each box on two sides with its room. Order materials from our packing materials range and follow our guide on how to pack your house for a move.

Set up post redirection in time

Royal Mail asks for at least five working days to set up a redirection, so apply around two weeks before you move to be safe. Our guide on who to inform when moving house lists everyone else you need to contact, including your council, DVLA and energy supplier.

Plan for storage if dates do not line up

Chains break and completion dates move. If you have to leave before you can get into your new home, short-term storage from £18 bridges the gap, with 24/7 access at selected facilities. Choose a secure facility to keep your belongings safe at all times.

Tips for the final week

• Confirm arrival time, both addresses, parking and lift bookings with your removal company.
• Defrost the freezer at least 24 hours before the move.
• Pack an essentials box with toiletries, chargers, medication, bedding, a kettle, mugs, snacks and basic tools, and keep it in your car.
• Arrange childcare or pet care for the day if you can.
• If you rent, book your check-out inspection and find your check-in inventory.

Moving day checklist

If you are in a chain

On completion day, your solicitor will call once the money has arrived and the keys can be released. In a long chain this is often early to mid afternoon, and sometimes later. Your removal team can usually load in the morning and wait for the call, but plan for the possibility of unloading into the evening. Keep your phone charged and your solicitor's number to hand.

Your checklist

• Keep keys, documents, medication and valuables with you
• Take dated photos of meter readings for gas, electricity and water at the old property
• Walk the removal team through the property and point out fragile items
• Check every cupboard, the loft, shed and garage are empty
• Leave keys with the estate agent or as agreed once the seller is told funds have arrived
• At the new property, take meter readings straight away and photograph them
• Show the team which room each box goes to
• Check items against your inventory as they come off the van
• Make up the beds before the evening

For a full week-by-week plan, use our printable moving house checklist UK 2027.

Tips for after the move

Send your meter readings

Give your opening readings to the energy and water suppliers at your new home and your closing readings to the suppliers at the old one. Keep the dated photos until your final bills are settled, as they are your evidence if a bill looks wrong.

Get your rental deposit back

In England, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme. After you move out, agree any deductions with the landlord or agent, and the deposit should be returned within 10 days of agreeing the amount. If you disagree with deductions, the scheme offers a free dispute service. Clean thoroughly, compare the property against the check-in inventory and take dated photos of every room before you hand back the keys.

Settle in

• Unpack the kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms first.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and find the stopcock and fuse box.
• Change the locks if you have bought the property.
• Register with a GP and dentist and register to vote.
• Tell your new council you have moved in so your council tax starts from the right date.

Moving house advice for specific situations

If you are moving with children, a pet or as a student, see the relevant sections of our complete guide to moving house. For long distance moving and timings for each stage, read how long does moving house take.

Frequently asked questions

• What time do you usually get the keys on completion day?

It depends on when the money arrives, which depends on everyone above you in the chain. Many people get keys early to mid afternoon, but later releases happen. Ask your solicitor to call you as soon as funds are received.

• What if the sellers are still in the house when we arrive?

Contact the estate agent and your solicitor straight away. Once completion has happened, the sellers should leave, but small delays while they finish loading are common. Your removal team can usually wait for a short period.

• How do I make sure there is space for the removal lorry to park?

Apply to the council for a parking suspension or dispensation if your street has permit parking or limited space. Tell neighbours a few days ahead and ask your removal company what size of vehicle they will send.

• Can I ask for the keys a few days early to clean?

Sellers are not obliged to give early access, and solicitors usually advise against it before completion. If you need time to clean or decorate, consider storing your belongings briefly and moving in a day or two later.

• Is it better to complete on a Friday?

Friday gives you the weekend to unpack, but if funds are delayed, completion may not happen until Monday. A mid-week completion leaves more time to resolve problems the same week.

• What should I clean to get my full deposit back?

Return the property to the condition shown on the check-in inventory, allowing for fair wear and tear. Pay attention to the oven, bathroom, carpets and inside cupboards, and photograph everything before you leave.

Ready to move?

With over 400 years of experience, Pickfords can support every stage of your move, from packing to storage, in every postcode across the UK and Ireland. Request a free quote for your upcoming move today.