All I need to know about moving house

Since the pandemic, house prices have risen, reaching supersonic levels at the end of 2022.

Sellers are returning with renewed confidence and enjoying a buoyant beginning of the year

with reduced interest rates. The beginning of 2023 marks a more stable period, with buyers able to push forward with relatively quick completions on the increasing number of properties

entering the market.

The falling interest rates are tempting buyers and sellers to re-enter the market, leaving fears of a declining economy behind. For the last year, according to the UK's biggest mortgage lender, Halifax, UK property prices have risen 1.6 per cent each month, with the average housing price reaching £287,880. It's thought that over half a million sales completions will go through within the first half of 2023.

For decades, the United Kingdom has attracted international students and employment

opportunities with many of the country's prestigious institutions, quality of life and strong economy. The average cost of living in the country is relatively high, but it depends on where you live. London and its surrounding areas in the Southeast are typically the most expensive,

followed by other booming cities such as Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester. The average cost of living as a family of four is around £2,268 without rental or mortgage payments. The United Kingdom falls somewhere in the middle of countries in Western Europe and developed nations such as Switzerland and Denmark.

I am moving house checklist

When you move house, you need to consider all sorts of essentials to make your move as easy as possible.

Once you've finalised the legalities of your move, signed contracts, employed a surveyor and arranged your mortgage, it's time to start packing and arranging your selected removal company. Typically, you'll have about four weeks to prepare at this stage:

• Finalise your moving date with your solicitor

• Book your removals company and arrange delivery of boxes if you are packing yourself, also check exactly what services they offer, such as plumbing, dismantling furniture and disposing of flammable goods

• Ensure that you have insurance coverage for your most valuable items, either independently or through your removals firm

• Arrange to have the house that you are leaving cleaned and check that the previous owner of your new house does the same, or arrange for a professional cleaner accordingly

• Order any furnishings ready for arrival in your new home

• Book carpet or flooring fitters if any floor coverings need replacing

• Measure up for curtains or blinds and arrange a date for fitting

• Start packing non-essential items from your least-used rooms

• Clear out the roof space, shed and other storage areas and clean any gardening equipment you want the removal company to transport

• Inform WeMoveAddy of your change of address so that they can provide a comprehensive address-forwarding service and update essential address changes

• Notify necessary utility companies, cancel subscriptions, services and settle any outstanding bills

• Change your home insurance company to cover your new home

• Ensure that you arrange pet and childcare services for the removal day

• Start to run down perishable goods

During your final week, you can finish packing and get ready for the final push to move

• Gather together all of your essential documents and keep them in a safe place

• Finish as much packing as possible, and ensure that you use labels or colour-coding for the boxes to afford more effortless organisation on the day

• Gather together all of your keys for your current property, including those that you’ve given to friends and family for safekeeping

• Give away any plants, flowers and other items you don’t want to take with you

• Send out change of address notifications to your friends and family, employers, local authorities, household services such as telephone, television licensing and cable providers, and internet suppliers, all vehicle-related details such as DVLA, log book and insurance, education, healthcare, banks and utility companies

• Collect your keys to your new house!

Prepare a moving-day survival kit

To make your moving day more bearable and as seamless as possible, it’s a great idea to have some essentials to hand.

Kitchen

• Soft drinks and bottled water

• Crockery and cutlery for each member of your family

• Kettle for that essential cup of tea or coffee

• Snacks

• Basic cooking utensils

• Breakfast essentials

• Your favourite takeaway menu for an easy dinner

• Bottle and can openers

Bedroom

• Bed linen

• Phone and chargers

• Sleepwear

• A change of clothes for the next day

• Alarm clock

• Hot water bottles

Bathroom

• Towels

• Toiletries

• Toilet paper

• Soap

• Cleaning supplies

• First aid kit and any essential medication

Other essentials

• Basic toolkit

• Torch

• Scissors

• Food, water, bedding and accessories for your pets

• Speakers

• Bin bags

• Pad and pen

• DVD player, books, toys and games for your children

A chilled bottle of Champagne and glasses are always a good idea to help celebrate your move!