Oh heck

Ames

peachyprice wrote: »

The council usually return their properties back to basic but clean and tidy when they get new tenants, so anything like rewiring etc., should be done and made good before you move in. That's probably why you saw wood and tool when you looked through the window, they're most likely working on it now.



I think that could be because you already live in it.

Good point, I hadn't thought of that.


ps. it wasn't me who asked why you couldn't move yourself, it's a 'luxury' that's worth every penny IMO, but if you can pack yourself and just get them to move you it will be a lot cheaper, they'll even deliver the boxes to you and take them away afterwards once you've finished unpacking.

Sorry, I didn't mean to say you'd asked. I just wanted to explain it to people who might not understand. My brain's a bit mashed right now!


FatVonD, lots of good points there! I don't need the takeaway menu, there's a fantastic chip shop just up the road! Good point about the toilet roll though. It's just the kind of thing I'd forget all about!

I'll probably set up my camping air bed before I move in so it's ready to just crash onto afterwards. I'm hoping to have a couple of days with the keys to both properties before and after the moving day, so I can set up basics at the new place, and have time to have a last check round etc at the old place.

Yorkie1

When I was being packed / moved, I put anything I wanted to transport myself or keep until last into the bath, so it was clear to the packers what they didn't need to touch!

Pollycat

That's really good news, Ames.
Hope the viewing on Tuesday goes well.

I recently found a good on-line checklist of who to advise when you move but I can't find it. :mad:

Here's some thoughts:

• bank – (current account, ISA, kids accounts, any others)
• council
• credit cards
• Store cards
• DWP
• DVLA – will you need to renew your licence & vehicle registration document? You can do licence/Inland Revenue on line via gov.uk.
• TVL - you can do online
• Doctor
• Dentist
• Optician
• Insurance – buildings/contents, car, life
• TV Licensing
• DVLA
• Car breakdown cover
• Inland Revenue
• BT (or whoever you pay your phone bill to)
• Mobile provider
• ISP
• Schools
• Work
• loyalty cards (Tesco, Boots, Co-op etc)
• Pension providers
• Organ donor list
• Blood donor?
• Library?
• Electoral roll?
• Mail? Redirection service?
• windowcleaner

I think you'll need to notify gas/electric/water when you move out so they can issue a final bill for your flat.

What will happen to any gas, electricity etc at your new property?
Do you just take over the existing supplier? If so, you’ll need to know who they are & let them know your new details.

It may be that they put you on their default tariff which will not be the cheapest. You’ll need to check this and negotiate a better tariff or switch to a different supplier.

duchy

peachyprice wrote: »

The council usually return their properties back to basic but clean and tidy when they get new tenants, so anything like rewiring etc., should be done and made good before you move in. That's probably why you saw wood and tool when you looked through the window, they're most likely working on it now.


.

I guess no-one told Croydon council that when I moved into a very nice flat tere in a fairly upmarket area.
Old wall paper hanging off the walls , filthy, including walked in grass cuttings . Not all councils are the same.

Good luck with the declutter - maybe some of your local facebook pages would be a good place to give stuff away as well as freecycle ?

skint_chick

Ames wrote: »

List one - things to look for/check at the viewing on Tuesday (in no particular order):

1. Is there a phone line - is there somewhere to put your phone that's going to be close by or will you need a phone table if the point is in the hall
2. Is there a tv aerial. - will your tv unit fit in this corner/area and does it make sense with the rest of your furniture
3. Measure rooms. - measure your own furniture that you're bringing make newspaper templates of it, label them and bring them with you. You need to check if once your sofa is in doors will open/you can fit round them so you know if you'll need to get different furniture
4. Is the oven point gas or electric. - is there a prepay gas meter, where is the card/can you top up online, is there a prepay electric meter, or how do you get bills switched over
5. Is the heating gas or electric.
6. Is there a shower. - is it height adjustable/suitable for you - is it electric or do you need to put the gas on first, if it's electric check it works
7. Ask for time to discuss with housing advisor before signing contract.
8. Check storage space.
9. Check size of doors.
10. Measure windows.
11. Ask what work will be done. - ask for this to be added to contract/put in writing before you sign

I've probably missed stuff.

There's a few extra bits and bobs for you to think about

InsideInsurance

£800 is a lot of moving, we moved a 2 bed to 3 bed on a weekend and it was sub £500 with full packing service (inc them providing all the materials and 3 guys) with Simply Removals who are a national company.

Have used them a couple of times, generally you have one chap with reasonable english and the others barely speak english but they work damned hard and have never had a single thing damaged or lost. Certainly worth getting a quote from them. A local company wanted 4 times that and wanted 2 days to do it over where as these guys came at 8am and did it all in one day.

Everyone else has mentioned most the sensible things. Always worth budgeting properly for the move, theres always a host of little things you end up having to do/ buy that you didnt think/ budget for.

Ames

Thanks again everyone, lots to think about.

Good point about the metres, I really hope they're not pre pay ones because as far as I know I wont be able to change them to normal ones even though I've never had any payment problems?

I really hope I don't have to pay for a new phoneline. It does look though like I'll have to pay sky to move (my broadband's with them), and there might be a problem with the dates if I have less than two weeks to move.

Although I think I might need to have some adaptations made which might give me a bit longer. Not big ones, just grab rails and things, but I vaguely remember the OT assessment mentioning something about not being able to move until it's suitable.

I can also get an extra week here if I pay the rent on both, which gives a bit longer to organise things.

System

Re clothes packing, if you have any discount shops near you (poundstretcher/poundland/home bargains/B&M bargains) they often have vacuk pack clothes quite cheap

i found these invaluable when i was moving as i have a lot of clothes and they save A LOT of space

congrats on the new place

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

New cylinders for all the locks - change them as soon as you get the keys, whether you've moved in or not.

pukkamum

Ames wrote: »

Thanks again everyone, lots to think about.

Good point about the metres, I really hope they're not pre pay ones because as far as I know I wont be able to change them to normal ones even though I've never had any payment problems?

I really hope I don't have to pay for a new phoneline. It does look though like I'll have to pay sky to move (my broadband's with them), and there might be a problem with the dates if I have less than two weeks to move.

Although I think I might need to have some adaptations made which might give me a bit longer. Not big ones, just grab rails and things, but I vaguely remember the OT assessment mentioning something about not being able to move until it's suitable.

I can also get an extra week here if I pay the rent on both, which gives a bit longer to organise things.

You can have pre payment changed to regular ones as long as you weren't the one who requested them fitted or made to have them fitted, there were prepayment ones in our council house when we moved in and they changed them free of charge.