Moving home made simple — every UK guide, in one place

Roughly eight weeks before move-in day for a full house, four weeks for a one-bed flat. The first month is paperwork (signing the tenancy or mortgage, giving notice, booking removals); the second month is logistics (utilities, council tax, change of address). Our definitive moving checklist breaks it down week by week.

The minimum list is your council, HMRC, DVLA, GP, bank, employer, energy and water supplier, broadband provider and the electoral roll. Royal Mail will redirect post for 3–12 months at a fee, but it is not a substitute. Walk through the full list in our change-of-address checklist.

For electricity, call your regional distribution operator on the number listed in our electricity supplier guide. For gas, call the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524. Both will tell you which retailer the previous tenant used so you can take over the account or switch.

Yes — and you should. When you move in you become a deemed contract customer, which is usually the most expensive tariff that supplier offers. You can switch from day one, with no exit fee, and most switches complete in five working days. See our energy comparator for current tariffs.

Yes, each tenant with their own tenancy agreement needs a licence if they watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer. In a joint tenancy, one licence covers the whole household. Our TV licence guide walks through Netflix, streaming and the student concession.

For renters: deposit + first month rent + admin fees typically lands around £2,500. For buyers: stamp duty, surveys, solicitor and removals push the bill to £12,000–£15,000. The full breakdown — with first-time buyer discounts — is in our cost of moving guide.