The flat on Mill Street to the house in Bristol

the flat on Mill Street, Leeds to the house in Bristol

Moving day

Sat 28 Nov 2026

29 days to go

90 tasks, 13 done

What this plan is: every task of the move on the day it belongs to, counted back from moving day. Tick a box when a task is done. What it is not: legal or financial advice, and not a place for account numbers or passwords.

Catch up now

Sat 3 Oct 2026 to Thu 29 Oct 2026

These tasks belonged to days that have already passed. Do them as soon as you can; nothing here is skipped for you.

• was due 3 OctSet up Ashgrove Primary SchoolSchool or nursery: set up new at the new address. Place confirmed in writing; start date the Monday after the move.
• was due 19 OctGather important documents in one envelopePassports, birth certificates, contracts, car papers, medical records. This envelope travels with you, never in the van.
• was due 19 OctPhotograph valuable and fragile itemsA simple inventory with photos before anything is packed. Useful for insurance and for the movers.
• was due 19 OctAsk the vet for records and find a vet near the new homeVaccination records, any prescriptions and the microchip details go with the pet.
• was due 21 OctCheck what the move changes for your carRegistration, licence address, parking permits and insurance may all need updating. Note the deadlines.
• was due 21 OctFind a doctor and dentist near the new homeAsk how to register and how records are transferred. Collect repeat prescriptions before the move.
• was due 24 OctSet up a labelling systemRoom name plus a number on every box, and a list of what is in each number. Mark fragile boxes on two sides.
• was due 24 OctStart packing what you rarely useBooks, out-of-season clothes, decorations, the spare room. Write the destination room on every box.
• was due 27 OctList every company and office that has your addressUtilities, bank, insurer, employer, subscriptions, clubs, the tax office. Add each one under “Who to tell” and the planner dates it.
• was due 29 OctBook internet and phone for the new addressInstallation slots fill up. Ask for a date on or before moving day.
• was due 29 OctArrange electricity, gas and water at the new homeAsk who supplies the property now, from which date you take over and whether meters are read at handover.
• was due 29 OctGive notice to Leeds Leisure gymGym, club or membership: cancel or give notice. One month’s notice.
• was due 29 OctGive notice to The veg boxSubscription or delivery box: cancel or give notice.

8 weeks before

Sat 3 Oct 2026 to Fri 9 Oct 2026

Decisions and bookings. Everything booked now is cheaper and calmer than everything booked later.

• ✓3 OctSet a moving budget (done)Write down what you can spend on movers or a van, packing materials, deposits and the first weeks in the new place.
• ✓3 OctStart a moving folder (done)One place, paper or digital, for quotes, contracts, receipts and this plan. It stays with you on moving day, never in a box.
• ✓3 OctGive notice to your landlord (done)Check the notice period in your tenancy agreement and give notice in writing. Ask how and when the deposit comes back.
• ✓3 OctGet quotes from at least three movers (done)Ask for a visit or a video survey, a written quote, what insurance covers and what happens if the date slips.
• ✓3 OctContact the new school or nursery (done)Ask what paperwork they need, when the term starts and whether the place is confirmed in writing.
• ✓7 OctTell your employer the moving date (done)Book the days off you need and ask whether any help with relocation costs is available.
• ✓9 OctDecide what will not move with you (done)Go room by room. Sell, give away or recycle what you will not use in the new place. Fewer boxes, cheaper move.

6 weeks before

Sat 17 Oct 2026

Confirm the people who will help and gather what the new place needs from you.

• ✓17 OctBook the movers and get the confirmation in writing (done)Date, arrival time, price, insurance and cancellation terms, all on paper or by email.
• ✓17 OctMeasure the new place (done)Doorways, stairs and the rooms. Decide what furniture fits and what stays behind.
• ✓17 OctGive notice to Oakfield Primary School (done)School or nursery: cancel or give notice. Leaving date agreed; records to go to the new school.
• ✓17 OctAsk the current school for records and a leaving date (done)Reports and health records travel with the child; ask what the new school expects to receive.
• ✓17 OctOrder packing materials (done)Boxes in two sizes, tape, markers, bubble wrap and labels. Ask shops and neighbours for free boxes first.

4 weeks before

Sat 31 Oct 2026 to Tue 3 Nov 2026

Start packing and start telling people. Services at the new home get booked now.

• 31 OctArrange childcare for moving dayA grandparent, a friend or a nursery day keeps children safe and the move moving.
• 31 OctOrder what the new place needs on day oneBeds, a fridge, curtains for the bedrooms. Deliveries should arrive after you do, not before.
• 31 OctSort home insurance for both addressesCover for the new home from the day you get the keys, and for your belongings while they are in transit.
• 31 OctArrange where pets stay on moving dayA quiet room with the door closed, a friend’s house or a kennel. Decide now, not on the day.
• 31 OctSet up Westmoor PowerElectricity: set up new at the new address. Takes over the Bristol house from the day we get the keys.
• –31 OctDecide whether anything goes into storage (skipped)If the dates do not line up, book storage now and plan which boxes go there.
• 3 NovSet up mail forwardingRedirect post from the old address for a few months, so every company you forgot still reaches you.

3 weeks before

Sat 7 Nov 2026 to Sun 8 Nov 2026

Pack the rooms you use least and tidy up loose ends around the old place.

• 7 NovBook the cat into the cattery for Friday and SaturdayBiscuit goes in with her own blanket.
• 7 NovPlan meals that empty the freezer and cupboardsUse up what you have, so there is less to move and nothing defrosts in a box.
• 7 NovPlan the journey for moving dayRoute, fuel, stops, an overnight stay if needed, and who travels with what.
• 7 NovPack the rooms you use leastGarage, loft, guest room, home-office files. Keep the kitchen and bathroom for last.
• 7 NovMove the service with Northlink BroadbandInternet and landline: move the service to the new address. Engineer slot requested for the Friday before.
• 7 NovReturn borrowed items, collect anything being repairedLibrary books, a neighbour’s ladder, the dry cleaning. Make a list so nothing is forgotten in the rush.
• 8 NovCancel or move local membershipsGym, clubs, delivery boxes, the newspaper. Check the notice periods.

2 weeks before

Sat 14 Nov 2026 to Mon 16 Nov 2026

Confirm everything that was booked and plan the first night.

• 14 NovTell your bank and insurers the new address and the dateAlso any lender or pension provider. Ask whether a new card will be sent to the new address.
• 14 NovDecide who cleans the old place and whenBook a cleaner for the day after the move, or set aside time yourself before the handover.
• 14 NovConfirm the date and time with the moversReconfirm access, parking, the number of boxes and anything that needs special handling.
• 14 NovPlan the first-night boxBedding, towels, kettle, mugs, chargers, toilet paper, basic tools, medicines, a change of clothes for everyone. It travels with you.
• 14 NovArrange parking for the van at both addressesPermits, a neighbour’s space or cones. A van that cannot park costs everyone time.
• ✓14 NovGive notice to Pennine Energy (done)Electricity: cancel or give notice. Final reading on the day; they email the closing bill.
• 14 NovMove the service with Hartwell InsuranceInsurance (home, car, health, life): move the service to the new address. Home contents; ask about cover in transit.
• 14 NovGive notice to Dr Mensah’s practiceDoctor, dentist or pharmacy: cancel or give notice. Collect repeat prescriptions first.
• 14 NovGive notice to Canal Street VetsVet: cancel or give notice. Ask for Biscuit’s vaccination record.
• 16 NovAgree how keys are handed over at both endsWho gets the old keys and when, and where you collect the new ones.
• 16 NovUpdate your electoral or voter registrationRules differ from country to country; check how your new address is registered to vote.

1 week before

Thu 19 Nov 2026 to Tue 24 Nov 2026

Pack nearly everything. Appliances off, furniture apart, meters noted.

• 19 NovCollect the piano from the tunerThey close at lunch on Saturdays.
• 21 NovConfirm the switch-on dates for the new homeElectricity, gas, water and internet should all be live when you arrive.
• 21 NovPlan food and drinks for moving dayWater, snacks and a plan for lunch. If people are helping, feed them.
• 21 NovNote when to read the metersReadings on the day you leave and the day you arrive settle the final bills fairly.
• 21 NovPack everything except daily essentialsLeave out one set of crockery, the coffee, toiletries and the clothes you will wear this week.
• 21 NovGet the pet carrier out and let them get used to itFood, water, a familiar blanket and the records travel with the pet.
• 22 NovPrepare the childrenShow them the new place or photos, and let each child pack a bag of favourite things to carry themselves.
• 24 NovTake apart furniture that will not fit through the doorBag the screws and tape the bag to the piece. Photograph how it goes back together.

The last days

Thu 26 Nov 2026 to Fri 27 Nov 2026

The last boxes, the walk-through and a charged phone.

• 26 NovDefrost and clean the fridge and freezerEmpty, switch off, leave the doors open and dry them out, so nothing smells in the van.
• 27 NovHave some cash readyFor tips, parking, a locksmith or a last-minute need.
• 27 NovCharge phones and power banks; print the planAddresses, phone numbers and this timeline on paper, in case a battery dies.
• 27 NovReturn the garage key to Mr Ali downstairsHe has the spare for the bike shed too.
• 27 NovPack the last boxes and the first-night boxKeep the documents envelope, valuables and medicines with you.
• 27 NovWalk through the old place with a listCupboards, loft, garage, shed, behind doors. Photograph each empty room.

Moving day

Sat 28 Nov 2026

Meters, keys, the walk-through with the movers, beds made by tonight.

• 28 NovCheck the new place before the boxes come inWater, heating, any damage to note and photograph. Then show everyone where each room is.
• 28 NovMake the beds and set up the bathroom firstEveryone sleeps tonight. The boxes can wait.
• 28 NovHand over the old keys and lock upWindows closed, heating set as agreed, alarm set, keys to the person agreed.
• 28 NovRead the meters at the new placePhotograph them on the day you arrive.
• 28 NovRead the meters at the old place and photograph themDate-stamped photos settle disputes later.
• 28 NovSettle the pets in one quiet roomFood, water, bed or litter, door closed until the house is quiet.
• 28 NovWalk the movers through the house before loadingPoint out fragile boxes, what stays behind, and the first-night box that goes in last and comes out first.

First week after

Sun 29 Nov 2026 to Sat 5 Dec 2026

Services in your name, addresses updated, the kitchen unpacked.

• 29 NovUnpack the kitchen and the bedrooms firstA working kitchen and a familiar bedroom make the house feel like home fastest.
• 29 NovStart at the new school with the paperwork readyRecords, proof of address, emergency contacts, allergy information.
• 29 NovConfirm every service at the new address is in your nameElectricity, gas, water, internet. Give the opening readings to the suppliers.
• 30 NovTest smoke and carbon monoxide alarmsReplace the batteries if you cannot tell when they were last changed.
• 30 NovChange the locksYou do not know who still has a key to the previous owner’s front door.
• 1 DecUpdate your address everywhere elseWork through “Who to tell”. Delivery accounts, online shops, loyalty cards, the vet, the dentist.
• 1 DecAsk for your deposit backSend the final meter readings and photos of the clean, empty rooms with your request.
• 1 DecUpdate the microchip and tag addressKeep cats in and walk dogs on a lead for the first weeks, until they know the way home.
• 1 DecGive the new address to Riverbank WaterWater: give them the new address.
• 1 DecGive the new address to Example BankBank, card, loan or pension: give them the new address. New card to be sent to Bristol.
• 5 DecUpdate the vehicle registration and driving licenceMany countries set a deadline for this. Check yours and do it this week.
• 5 DecRegister with the new doctor and dentistTake the records you collected. Transfer any repeat prescriptions.
• 5 DecSay hello to the neighboursAsk about bins, parking and anything the previous owner never mentioned.
• 5 DecGive the new address to Tax officeTax office, benefits, registration: give them the new address.

First month after

Sat 12 Dec 2026 to Mon 28 Dec 2026

The long tail: bills, forwarded mail, the last box.

• 12 DecCheck the forwarded mail for anyone you missedEvery forwarded letter is a company you still have to tell. Add it under “Who to tell”.
• 12 DecSettle up with the movers and check the inventoryClaim for anything damaged within the insurer’s deadline.
• 28 DecCheck the first bills at the new addressCompare the opening readings with the bill. Query anything odd straight away.
• 28 DecUnpack the last box, or give it awayIf it has stayed shut for a month, you probably do not need what is inside.
• 28 DecClose the accounts at the old addressConfirm the final bills are settled and the old insurer has stopped charging.

Who to tell

Every company and office that has your address, with the day to contact each one. Tick the box when it is done.

Travels with you, never in the van

Two things to keep in the car or your bag on moving day.