Moving checklist for students | What to do before and on moving day

Found your ideal place? Now you’re ready to start on the logistics. We’ve started you off with a few things to consider to help your move go smoothly.

Read and understand your contract. Once you have been provided with the contract, you have 24 hours to check it. If you can, ask your Student Union or Citizens Advice for help, especially if you are unsure about something.

Before the big day

Paperwork check

Have you:

• Checked and signed the tenancy agreement.
• Provided the required ID (such as a passport or driving licence).
• Paid the deposit.
• Organised a reference and guarantor information.
• Seen: gas and electric certificates, Energy Performance Certificate and, if required, the landlord’s House of Multiple Occupancy licence.

Deposit security

Double-check that your deposit has been placed in the appointed, approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Man-with-a-van

How much stuff do you have? If you’re moving large items like furniture and bikes your parents’ car might not be able to cope, so think about getting quotes for van hire or a ‘man with a van’.

Collect packing materials and boxes

Social media is a good place to start. Ask on sale boards for people to save boxes after moving.

Make a packing checklist – pack anything you won’t need in the run up to your move first.

Don’t forget to include essentials such as toilet rolls, cleaning products, bedding, towels.

Label boxes when packing

This helps you to be organised when it comes time to unpack as well as knowing what room to put your boxes into. 

Change of address notifications

Make a list of the people you will need to advise of your new address – many can be done online.

• Bank/Building Society.
• Credit card companies/Store cards.
• Magazine subscriptions.
• Clubs and societies.
• Driving licence - DVLA.
• Phone.
• Car insurance & breakdown cover.

If it’s a permanent move, also notify:

• National Insurance.
• Electoral Roll.
• Doctor.
• Dentist.
• Optician.

If you are not moving permanently, you may wish to leave things like bank until you have a permanent address after studying.

Moving day!

Utilities

• Make a note of the meter readings on electric and gas meters when you arrive.
• Notify existing suppliers that you are the new bill payer.
• Gas.
• Electric.
• Water and Sewerage.
• Landline phone.
• Broadband.

• Council.

Make sure to do an inventory

Make a list of all the items in the property belonging to the landlord, and take photos of any existing damage or wear. Notify the agent or landlord immediately of anything which is not as you expected it to be.

Safety check

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, request new ones if they are not working.

Fuse box and stop cock

Find out where the fuse box and stop cock are in case of plumbing problems or power cuts.

Get the shopping in. 

Remember student store cupboard staples: cereal, bread, milk, baked beans!

Unpack and put your feet up!