Pre-Move Checklist

Before Moving Day

• Book moving date with removalist / shipper
• Agree moving plan including number of packing cases required
• Check passports for all family members are current, renew/apply for passports and/or visa
• Obtain necessary work permits for the destination country
• Book flight tickets
• Check luggage and hand luggage allowance with airline
• Purchase travel guides, maps, phrasebooks, dictionaries as required
• Investigate International Schools
• Make arrangements for cars - sale, ship etc - if you are shipping a car, make sure you have applicable parts and operating instruction manuals?
• Make the necessary arrangements with the electoral office if you wish to vote from abroad
• Obtain International Driving Licence if necessary and a copy of your insurance no-claims certificate
• Collate and duplicate personal papers, e.g. educational certificates/records, birth/marriage certificates, insurance policies, wills, share certificates etc
• Notify clubs, many of which may require a month's notice to cancel membership
• Make arrangements to get to the airport
• Arrange appointments for relevant inoculations
• Arrange travel/medical/shipping insurance
• Notify doctor and obtain medical history/records, details of medication where necessary
• If you require drug prescriptions, obtain "certificates of need" from the prescribing physician
• Obtain eye prescription from optician/optometrist
• Request dental records from dentist
• Transfer or set up new bank accounts
• Cancel store cards
• Notify credit card companies
• Advise Inland Revenue you are leaving the country and get advice about tax
• Check your taxes are in order and up to date
• Make arrangements for payment of insurance premiums during your absence
• Notify pension company
• Notify service providers of date to cancel - electricity, gas, water, council tax, telecoms providers, TV licence - and leave forwarding address
• Redirect mail through the Post Office
• Send out change of address cards
• Clear out unwanted belongings
• Put items you are not taking into storage, sell or give away
• Organise disconnection of domestic appliances
• Make a list of everything you are going to take
• Use up food from freezer
• Identify articles are to be shipped, air freighted or stored
• Make copies of valuable and legal documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc) to take with you
• If you are taking a pet, make sure you have the necessary health certificate from the vet and inoculations in order
• Establish cut-off dates for power/light, gas and telephone services

Two Days Before

• Cancel any regular deliveries (milk, newspapers)
• Defrost freezer, clean out fridge

The Day Before

• Check drawers and trunks/chests for any fragile items
• Place any liquids, oils and paints to be moved in sealed containers
• Put to one side any inflammable liquids and drain fuel from petrol mower, paraffin fire etc.
• Take down curtains and blinds (if applicable)
• Put together a pile of "do not remove" essentials: handbags, clothes, snacks, cleaning materials etc.

On Moving Day

• Pack small valuables separately
• Confirm service meter readings and keep a spare copy of readings
• Switch off power and water
• Pack essential items in your hand luggage
• Confirm service meter readings and keep a spare copy of readings
• Switch off power and water supplies (if necessary)
• Lock all windows and doors
• Deposit keys with estate agent