Moving home checklist Everything you should think about when moving

Perhaps you can hardly wait to arrange that bigger kitchen and cosy spot in the garden. Or you’re excited about the great location of your new home.

Before you can properly get into your future home, there are many things you have to arrange for the move. Our checklist helps you think of everything in good time.

1. Give notice on your old home at the appropriate time

Its best to send the written notice to your landlord by registered mail. The times and terms on which you can give notice can be found in your rental contract. If you wish to move out outside of these dates you must find a new tenant. You’ll experience less stress if you have a month’s overlap between your new and old homes.

2. Arrange a removal firm or help

By using a rental van, you can move relatively cheaply. On the other hand, you must organise help and haul the boxes yourself. With a removal firm you save yourself a lot of effort, but in exchange you are out of pocket. Whichever option you choose, you should always seek multiple quotes. Prices and conditions can vary widely. 

3. Cancel your old standing orders and set up new ones

Do you pay your rent via standing order? Then you should think about cancelling the existing instruction in good time. Subsequently you can establish one for the new home.

4. Keep a close eye on any repairs that may be necessary

Whether it’s scratched parquet flooring or worn fittings – what can be ascribed to normal wear and tear need not be repaired. If you’ve accidentally broken the mirror in the bathroom however, you should remedy that before the hand-over. Talk to your landlord about it in advance.

5. Ensure you have a clean hand-over

Either you can wave the duster yourself, or you engage a cleaning firm. A good thorough clean is worthwhile since if at the hand-over there is something at fault with the cleanliness the landlord can demand another cleaning. In the worst cases you’ll pay for a cleaning service engaged by the landlord.

6. Often you don’t have to worry about painting the walls

You are obligated to hand over the home in a clean state. As a rule, you do not need to paint it. If, however you have done some painting yourself, you must paint the walls in the original colours again when you move out. This also applies when your daughter has shown her creative streak with felt-tip pens on the walls.

7. Recall your rental deposit

Your landlord must sign the notice to terminate the rental deposit account as well as you. Only when both of you have approved the termination will the account be closed and the money paid out. The necessary forms can be found at the bank where you set up the rental deposit account.

8. Register your family with the local authority

It’s important that your de-register from your existing local authority before your move. You need the de-registration certificate to be able to register with the new local authority. If you have children you should also inform the old and new schools or nurseries as soon as possible.

9. Announce your new address

Besides the local authority you should also register your change of address with your electricity provider. Otherwise you’ll continue to pay for the energy used in your old home. Likewise inform your telecoms provider, tax adviser, banks and insurers, health insurer and doctor of your move. You frequently find on respective internet sites tips on how best to announce a change of address. 

10. Give your children jobs on removal day.

The move is very well planned. But then your children lie complaining about how boring it is. Give your children little jobs. Then the little ones are kept busy and feel involved. Naturally they can’t carry cases, but perhaps they could pack their toys in cardboard boxes. Or help you clear out cupboards. 

And another tip: if you don’t want to take care of all aspects of the move from beginning to end, take a look at movu.ch. There you can find the best removal and cleaning firms in your region. You can receive and compare quotes. And during the entire removal process a personal adviser is on hand.