Moving house checklist Scotland – step-by-step guide to moving home

Moving house can be a very stressful time. You’re probably wondering where to start, what items to pack and when you should pack them in the run up to moving day. 

To help you out, we’ve put together a helpful moving checklist and guide below with our top tips on how to make moving house as hassle-free as possible. 

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Prepare for your move |  Eight weeks to go |  Four weeks to go |  Two weeks to go | One day to go | On moving day | At your new home

Prepare for your move

Purchasing  

• If you already own a property and you are looking to sell – get a free no obligation valuation from a few ESPC solicitor estate agents. 
• Find a solicitor to help you with your house purchase (even if you haven’t found a property you like yet, it’s good to be prepared).
• Find out how much you can borrow – get in touch with an ESPC mortgage advisor.

• It’s handy at this point to set up a digital or physical file for keeping all your house moving files together.

Renting  

• If you currently live in a rented property – check how much notice you need to give to your landlord.
• Check out ESPC Lettings for a selection of properties to rent in Edinburgh.

8 weeks before

Purchasing

• Get a move-in date arranged with your and the seller's solicitor.
• If you live in a rented property – notify your landlord (or before this point if required, please check your agreement).
• Arrange a removals company if required. Also have a think about how long you might need them for, as many of them charge by the hour. 

• Work out if you need storage facilities and arrange. 
• Notify relevant utilities companies that you will be leaving your current property. 
• Begin to clear out your current property and dispose of/donate any items that you will not be taking.

Renting

• Get move in date arranged with the property management agent/landlord.

• Arrange a removals company if required. Also have a think about how long you might need them for, as many of them charge by the hour. 
• Work out if you need storage facilities and arrange.
• Notify relevant utilities companies that you will be leaving your current property if required.
• Begin to clear out your current property and dispose of/donate any items that you will not be taking.

4 weeks before

Purchasing

• Cancel local services and settle outstanding bills.
• Arrange mail redirection service.
• Pack up belongings that you’re taking – make sure to label the boxes so you know where things are on the other side!

Renting

• Cancel local services and settle outstanding bills.
• Arrange mail redirection service.

2 weeks before

Purchasing

• • Defrost your freezer.
  • Send out change of address to relevant contacts.
  • Arrange a time with solicitor to collect keys for new home.
  • If you are selling your current home – make a list of where all the important things are in your home such as the stopcock, gas and electricity meters for the new owners.
  • Plan ahead for move in day – if you have young children or pets you may want to arrange for them to be looked after by someone else on move in day.

Renting

• • Defrost your freezer.
  • Send out change of address to relevant contacts.
  • Arrange time with property management agent/landlord to collect keys for new home.
  • Plan ahead for move in day – if you have young children or pets you may want to arrange for them to be looked after by someone else on move in day. 

One day to go

Purchasing

• Pack the essentials for moving day in a separate and easily-accessible box, such as important documents, phone chargers, cleaning products and most importantly a kettle, mugs and tea/coffee. 
• Make sure all other belongings are completely packed, with only things you’ll need on the day left. This will make the process of getting it into a car/moving van much easier.

• Make sure all rooms are clean.
• Record the utility meter readings of your current property if required (gas, water and electricity) – take a photo of these so you can contact your providers to confirm your move.

Renting

• Pack the essentials for moving day in a separate and easily-accessible box, such as important documents, phone chargers, cleaning products and most importantly a kettle, mugs and tea/coffee.
• Make sure all other belongings are completely packed, with only things you’ll need on the day left. This will make the process of getting it into a car/moving van much easier.

• Make sure all rooms are clean.
• Record the utility meter readings of your current property if required (gas, water and electricity) – take a photo of these so you can contact your providers to confirm your move.

Move in day

Purchasing

• If you’ve hired a moving company, move all boxes downstairs/to the front door before the movers arrive.

• Make sure the property you are leaving is in a clean and tidy condition.
• Once you have checked the property and unloaded everything, do a deep clean of the property before you start unpacking.
• Check all of the utilities are up and running.
• Make sure you have keys to every door, window and cupboard.
• Find out what day your bins are collected.

• Record the utility meter readings (gas, water and electricity) – take a photo of these so you can contact your providers to confirm your move.

Renting

• If you’ve hired a moving company, move all boxes downstairs/to the front door before the movers arrive.
• Make sure the property you are leaving is in a clean and tidy condition.
• Once you have checked the property and unloaded everything, do a deep clean of the property before you start unpacking. 

• Check all of the utilities are up and running.
• Make sure you have keys to all accessible doors, window and cupboard.
• Find out what day your bins are collected.
• Record the utility meter readings (gas, water and electricity) – take a photo of these so you can contact your providers to confirm your move.

At your new home

Purchasing 

• Unpack room by room – it's good to start in the kitchen.
• Pay your LBTT (your solicitor will usually arrange this for you).
• Update your pet’s microchip address and register with the local vet if required.
• Register with the local GP and dentist.

• It can be a good idea to change the locks in your new home.
• Have the boiler serviced and the electrical wiring checked.
• Make sure all appliances that have been left including the boiler are in a working order - hob, oven, washing machine, gas fire etc, if not please report this to your solicitor ASAP.
• Relax and enjoy your new home!

Renting

• Unpack room by room – it's good to start in the kitchen.
• Update your pet’s microchip address and register with the local vet if required.
• Register with the local GP and dentist.
• If your landlord provided an inventory, check that everything on it is in the property and in working order.
• Relax and enjoy your new home!

Download our free moving home checklist

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