What do I need to organise between exchange and completion?
Once you’ve exchanged contracts, your sale or purchase is legally binding and you have a completion date, so this is the time to book your removals, tell your energy and water suppliers you’re moving, set up post redirection and update your address with the people who need it. Most of it is quick to do on its own, but it adds up, and it’s far calmer to work through it in the weeks before completion than on moving day itself.
The gap between exchange and completion can be anything from the same day to a few weeks, depending on what was agreed in your chain. Whatever the length, the list below is roughly the order most movers work through.
What should I book first after exchange?
Removals are usually the first thing to book, because good firms get busy and your completion date is now fixed. Ask for a quote based on a survey of your belongings, check what’s included (packing, dismantling furniture and cover for breakages) and confirm the date and arrival time in writing.
If there’s any chance you’ll need somewhere to keep your things for a while, for example if you’re moving out before you can move in, arrange storage at the same time as your removals.
How do I switch my gas and electricity when moving house?
Citizens Advice says you should give your current supplier at least 48 hours’ notice that you’re moving out, read your meters on the day you leave and give them a forwarding address for your final bill.
At your new home, you don’t need to arrange a supply before you arrive. You’ll automatically be on the existing supplier’s standard tariff, so take meter readings on the day you move in, tell that supplier you’ve arrived and then shop around if you want a different deal. Citizens Advice has separate guidance for England and Wales, so check the version for where you live.
What about water, broadband and council tax?
Tell your water company the date you’re leaving and the date you’re arriving, with meter readings if either property has a meter. For broadband, contact your provider as early as you can, because setting up a connection at a new address can take time and you may need an engineer visit.
You’ll also need to tell your old council when you’re leaving and your new council when you’re arriving, so council tax is billed correctly for each property.
Who else needs to know my new address?
Some changes are a legal requirement. DVLA says you must update the address on your driving licence when you move, and you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t. It’s free to do, and if you own a car you’ll need to update the V5C log book too.
Beyond that, it’s worth working through your bank, employer, GP, dentist, phone provider, pension and any subscriptions. Royal Mail redirection can catch anything you miss, and you can set it up for 3, 6 or 12 months.
What should I do on completion day?
Completion day is mostly waiting for the money to move between conveyancers, and your agent will tell you when the keys can be collected. While you wait, keep a box of essentials to hand (kettle, chargers, toiletries, bedding and any medicines) so the first night is easy.
When you leave your old home, take meter readings and photos of the meters. When you arrive at the new one, do the same, then find the stopcock, fuse box and boiler controls before you start unpacking.
Where do openmoove’s moving services fit?
openmoove’s moving services bring many of the practical bookings for a move into one place. You tick the services you need, such as removals, wills or foreign exchange, enter your address and see quotes from providers we’ve chosen. It’s free to use, you pay the provider directly when you book, and while openmoove may be paid a fee by the provider, it never changes the price you pay.
The same page covers earlier stages of a move too, including mortgage advice, conveyancing quotes, surveys and EPCs, so it’s worth a look before exchange as well as after.
If you’re an estate agent or mortgage broker, moving services are option two of our three ways into openmoove. It’s free, you earn 20% of the revenue on every service your movers take, and we do the marketing to movers who’ve opted in, so there’s nothing for you to promote. It’s switched on after a short call with our Partnerships team.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the gap between exchange and completion?
It’s agreed between everyone in the chain at exchange, and it can be anything from the same day to a few weeks. A longer gap gives you more time to book removals and arrange your move, while a same day exchange and completion means doing most of the preparation beforehand.
Do I need to tell my energy supplier I’m moving?
Yes, Citizens Advice says you should give your current supplier at least 48 hours’ notice and take meter readings on the day you move out. At your new home you’ll automatically be supplied by the existing supplier until you choose to switch.
Do I have to change the address on my driving licence when I move?
Yes, DVLA says you must update your driving licence when you move, and you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t. It’s free to change your address online.
When should I book removals?
Book as soon as you’ve exchanged and have a fixed completion date, because removal firms can get busy. Get a quote based on a survey of your belongings and confirm the date in writing.
Do openmoove’s moving services cost anything?
No, it’s free to use them to compare and book. You pay the provider directly when you book, and any fee openmoove receives from the provider never changes the price you pay.