Moving house checklist for the UK: who to tell and when

As soon as you have a moving date

• If you rent in England, you need to give your landlord two months' notice to end an assured periodic tenancy. It can be in writing, including by letter, email or text. This rule applies in England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own, so check your agreement.
• If you are buying, MoneyHelper advises having buildings insurance in place from exchange of contracts, because you are legally responsible for the property from then. With a mortgage, you will be contractually required to have it. Check the start date with your conveyancer, and whether the freeholder already insures the building if you are buying a leasehold flat.
• Book removals and check whether your contents insurance covers your belongings during the move.
• Call your broadband provider to ask whether the service can move with you, how soon it can be live at the new address, and whether any fees apply.
• If you need a new school place in England, apply through your local council, even for schools in another council area. Your council can tell you which schools still have places and how to apply.
• Start one shared list of everyone you need to tell, so two people are not ringing the same company. Dom's shared tasks and calendar work well for this, and changes show on everyone's devices within seconds.

Two to four weeks before

• Royal Mail redirection. Royal Mail needs at least five working days to set it up. You can redirect for 3, 6 or 12 months and renew later, which catches post from anyone you forget to tell.
• TV Licensing. Your licence does not move automatically. You can change the address online up to three months before you move, using your licence number, your surname and the postcode on your licence.
• Council tax. Tell your council the date you leave. If you are moving to a different council area, register with the new council as well.
• Water. CCW, the water consumer body, says to tell your water company at least five working days before you leave so you get a final bill. Otherwise you may be charged beyond your move-out date.
• Gas and electricity. Citizens Advice says to give your suppliers at least 48 hours' notice and a forwarding address for the final bill.
• Insurers. Tell your home and car insurers your new address and date, as it can change your cover and your price.
• Money and work. Banks, building societies, credit cards, loans, pension providers and your employer.
• Everything else. Subscriptions and deliveries, the vet, clubs, your children's activities, and online shopping accounts with a saved address.

Moving day

At the home you are leaving

• Read the gas and electricity meters on the day you move out and give the readings to your suppliers. Keep a note of each reading and the date, and take a photo of each meter.
• Read the water meter too, if you have one.
• If you rent, return every key and keep a copy of any check-out report. In England and Wales, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it and return it within 10 days of you both agreeing how much you get back. If you disagree, the deposit stays protected in the scheme until it is sorted out.

At your new home

• Read the gas, electricity and water meters as soon as you arrive. CCW says a water meter reading on move-in day helps make sure your bill is accurate.
• Find the stopcock, fuse box and gas shut-off before you need them. Our home maintenance calendar covers the regular checks.
• If you are buying in England or Northern Ireland, a Stamp Duty Land Tax return must reach HMRC, with any tax paid, within 14 days of completion. Your solicitor or conveyancer will usually do this on the day. Scotland and Wales have their own taxes instead.

In your first week

• Energy at the new home. Contact the current supplier to say you have moved in and send your readings. You will automatically be on a deemed contract, usually their standard variable tariff. You can switch tariff or supplier once you are responsible for the property.
• Water and council tax. Set up both accounts in your name at the new address.
• HMRC. HMRC asks you to wait until you have moved. Then update your address in your personal tax account, which covers Child Benefit, Income Tax, National Insurance and State Pension.
• Driving licence. Changing your address with DVLA is free, and a new licence should arrive within a week if you apply online. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA when your address changes.
• Vehicle log book (V5C). If you are the registered keeper, update this separately, online or by post; it is usually free. If you pay vehicle tax by Direct Debit, DVLA needs your new address for that too.
• Electoral register. You need to register again at your new address. Online it usually takes about 5 minutes, and you will be asked for your National Insurance number.
• Benefits. If you get Universal Credit, report the change by choosing Report a change in your online account. For other benefits, contact the office that pays them.
• Your passport. No action needed. GOV.UK says you do not need a new passport when you change your address.

In your first month

• GP. Most people need to register with a surgery near where they live. In England it is free, you can do it online or through the NHS App, and you do not need ID or proof of address. Your old surgery is told automatically. If you are staying with the same surgery, tell them your new address.
• Dentist. The NHS says you can contact any NHS dentist and ask for an appointment, and use its Find a dentist search to look for one near your new home.
• Final bills. Your old energy supplier should send a final bill within 6 weeks. If you are in credit, they must refund you within 10 working days of sending it.
• Stragglers. Any post that arrives through the redirection tells you who still has your old address.
• New dates. Add the new home's renewal dates to your list, from council tax instalments to the boiler service. Our household bills checklist covers each one.

Who to tell, at a glance