Moving house is often described as one of life’s most stressful events — but with proper planning and organisation, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you’re moving into a private rental property, use this simple timeline to stay on track and keep your moving day as smooth as possible.
One month before you move
- Confirm your moving date and if you are in rented accommodation give the required notice to your landlord or letting agent
- Decide on removals: hire a professional company or rent a van and move yourself.
- Book time off work if needed.
- Start planning your budget and gathering important documents.
Three weeks before
- Source packing materials (borrow boxes or collect from local shops).
- Declutter: donate, sell or dispose of unwanted items.
- Organise delivery of any new furniture.
- Start updating your address with banks, DVLA, subscriptions and other key organisations.
Two weeks before
- Notify utilities, broadband and insurance providers.
- Arrange mail redirection.
- Begin packing non-essential items and label clearly.
- Start using up food in your freezer.
- Cancel or redirect regular deliveries.
One week before
- Consolidate packed boxes into one room.
- Confirm arrangements with your removals company.
- Confirm key collection and return times with landlords/agents.
- Clean the property thoroughly (including garden if required).
- Take detailed, date-stamped photos to protect your deposit.
The day before
- Pack an overnight essentials bag.
- Finish packing remaining items.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
Moving day
- Pack final essentials.
- Take final meter readings.
- Load the van or supervise removals.
- Double-check windows, doors and cupboards before leaving.
- Return old keys and collect new ones.
- On arrival, inspect the new property and take meter readings.
- Photograph any issues and report them promptly.
If you have an overlap between tenancies
An overlap gives you extra flexibility to:
- Clean the new property before moving in.
- Spread the move over several days.
- Return to your old property for final cleaning.
With a structured plan and steady preparation,
