Moving house step by step: a checklist of everything to sort out

Start 6–8 weeks ahead

The most stressful parts of a move are the ones with notice periods or long waiting times: the tenancy agreement, the internet contract, a date with the removal company. The sooner you write them down, the fewer surprises in the final week. Split the list into stages — that way you can see at a glance what is urgent and what can wait.

Week-by-week plan

1. 6–8 weeks before: give notice on your tenancy, choose a removal company or book a van, go through your things — what you take, sell or give away.
2. 3–4 weeks before: transfer internet and utilities, get boxes and tape, pack things you rarely use.
3. Final week: pack the kitchen and bathroom, defrost the fridge, prepare a “first night” bag, take photos of the meters in the old flat.
4. Moving day: collect the keys, note the meter readings, check that nothing is left behind.
5. After the move: update your address with offices, your bank, your employer and online shops, unpack, hand back the old keys and get your deposit back.

Task list to copy

• Give notice on the tenancy (with a deadline)
• Book a removal company or a van
• Transfer or cancel the internet contract
• Report meter readings to the energy suppliers
• Buy boxes, tape and bubble wrap
• Sell or give away furniture you don't need
• Pack a first-night bag (documents, chargers, medicines)
• Photograph the meters in the old and new home
• Change your address with the bank, offices and employer
• Hand back the keys and get the deposit back

How to do it in Add My Task

1. Create a “Moving” board and invite the people you live with — and any friends helping on the day.
2. Add the tasks from the list and assign people. Give anything with a notice period a date — it will appear in the calendar.
3. The calendar view shows the whole plan week by week, and if someone gets two things at the same time, the app shows a conflict warning.
4. Errands around town (an office, a shop selling boxes, a furniture pick-up point) get a location — and the route puts them in order for a single day.
5. Want to keep an eye on costs? Create a “Moving” project and add amounts to the tasks: transport, deposit, boxes. The budget chart shows how much you've already spent. Only you can see the project — others see just the tasks.

Watch out for

• Check the notice period in your tenancy agreement — the whole schedule depends on it.
• Removal companies have the fewest free slots at weekends and at the end of the month.
• Photos of the meters and the flat when you hand back the keys prevent arguments about the deposit.
• When it's all done, archive the board — it will come in handy next time you move.