Moving House Checklist by Phil Ragen

22.00

Includes $2 GST

How many times have you moved house, arrived at your new abode only to realise that you left the christmas tree in the rafters of the garage. Or you left your grandmother’s jewellery that she bequeathed to you in her will, wrapped in plastic in the cistern of the toilet. Then a couple weeks later, after finally settling in, you receive a fine from the RTA for not changing your address with them, or you forgot to have the electricity disconnected from your old place, and ended up with a bill that included the new people’s usage. This ‘Moving House’ guide is designed to help you remember those things you may forget, like the clothes pegs on the clothes line, and the shovel left in the vegetable garden. Make sure you monitor your mail, and be sure to let everyone know your new address. You certainly don’t want any strangers looking at your personal details on anything. Especially not your bank account details. Renter’s should pay close attention to some of the suggestions contained in this guide, as many things will help ensure that you receive all of your bond money back. Good luck with the move, and with this guide, I’m sure all will run as smoothly as such an adventure should.

As soon as you know you are moving, decide if you are doing it yourself or using the professionals. When you know the date of the move book with the removalist company you intend to go with. PROFESSIONALS BOOKED ______■ DO-IT-YOURSELF HIRE TRUCK BOOKED ___________________■ Are you doing it yourself with the help of friends and/or family? Let them know the date too! Also organise time off work to complete the move. FAMILY/FRIENDS ADVISED _ ____■ TIME OFF WORK BOOKED _

_____

■

A few other things you may want to do once you know a date and an address you are going to: NOTIFY CURRENT LANDLORD _ __■ RE-DIRECT MAIL AT THE POST BOOK A STORAGE FACILITY _____■ OFFICE _ ___________________■

4-6 WEEKS BEFOREHAND

Start to notify all the organisations that will need to know your new address. TAXATION OFFICE _ ___________■ EMPLOYER/S _______________■ ROAD TRAFFIC AUTHORITY _ ____■ CENTRELINK/SOCIAL SECURITY __■ TELEPHONE PROVIDER _ _______■ SCHOOLS _ _________________■ MOBILE TELEPHONE PROVIDER __■ DAY CARE CENTRE _ __________■ INTERNET PROVIDER __________■ FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS _______■

■ ELECTRICITY PROVIDER _ ______■ DOCTOR ___________________■ DENTIST ___________________■ SOLICITOR _ ________________■ LOCAL COUNCIL _ ____________■ INSURANCE COMPANIES _ ______■ SUPERANNUATION COMPANY _ __■ PAY TV PROVIDER _

__________

MEDICARE/MEDICADE/NHS _ ____■ PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE_ _

■

MAGAZINE/NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS _____________■ LIBRARY/IES _ ______________■ VALUED CUSTOMERS MEMBERS _ ■ CATALOGUE SUBSCRIPTIONS_ ___■ ELECTORAL OFFICE ___________■

Prepare your belongings! Do you need to take everything? Do you have rubbish to dispose of? Have you out grown any clothing? Are there toys the kids don’t play with anymore. When considering how and what to get rid of, remember family, friends and charity organisations. Make your own list of things to dispose of.

DISPOSE OF...

■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ _________________________■ OTHER THINGS TO DO _________________________■ ACQUIRE PACKING BOXES_ _____■ _________________________■ CREATE A FOLDER FOR MOVING _________________________■ PAPERS____________________■ _________________________■ IF TRAVELLING RENEW OR GET PASSPORTS, TICKETS & VISAS_ __■ _________________________■ WILL THE NEW HOME BE CLEAN_ _■ _________________________■ DRAW UP A PLAN OF EACH ROOM _________________________■ IN THE NEW HOME_ ___________■ _________________________■ ENSURE HOUSE SETTLEMENT _ __■ _________________________

Number your boxes as you pack and on this list you can detail the contents of each box. This will make unpacking a breeze. I suggest you list the item then note which box it is in. BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

_ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________ _ ______________

BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

You may need more! BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

But wait! Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more! BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

BOX NO. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

CHECK AS LOADED FURNITURE ITEM __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■ __________________ ■

MINIMISING MUSCULAR STRESS

USE THE FOOD IN PANTRY FRIDGE AND FREEZER _________■ ADVISE BABYSITTER __________■ PACK THINGS NOT NEEDED _ ____■ ADVISE GARDENER _ __________■ ADVISE CLEANER _ ___________■ CHECK THAT YOUR INSURANCE WILL COVER THE MOVE _ _______■ CANCEL MILK DELIVERIES ______■ HAVE CAR CHECKED _ _________■ CANCEL OTHER DELIVERIES _____■ Now you drew up the floor plan, right? Now mark out where the heavy furniture is likely to go, this fore-knowledge will mean less heavy lifting on move day. FLOOR PLAN DONE ___________■ COPY GIVEN TO REMOVALIST _ __■ As time went by in your current abode, you systematically put things in safe spots, so be sure not to forget.... CASH OR OTHER VALUABLES BOOKS OR OTHER ITEMS YOU BURIED IN THE BACKYARD OR MAY HAVE LENT TO FRIENDS ____■ HIDDEN IN THE TOILET CISTERN __■ ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT OR BITS AND PIECES STORED IN THE ANYTHING IN FOR REPAIRS _ ____■ ATTIC OR UNDER THE HOUSE _ ___■ DRY CLEANING TO COLLECT _ ___■ WILLS AND OTHER IMPORTANT RETURN RENTED MOVIES _ _____■ LEGAL DOCUMENTS HELD BY YOUR LAWYER OR ACCOUNTANT _ ■ RETURN BOOKS TO LIBRARY _ __■ DOCUMENTS AND OTHER RETRIEVE ALL KEYS GIVEN TO VALUABLES STORED IN A BANK FRIENDS AND FAMILY _________■ DEPOSIT BOX _______________■ LEAVE REMOTE CONTROL FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL, IMMUNISATION GARAGE DOOR _ _____________■ AND HOSPITAL RECORDS _ _____■ Do you have kids in school? ADVISE THE CURRENT SCHOOL _

■ TRANSFER SCHOOL RECORDS ___■ _

ENROL KIDS IN NEW SCHOOL ____■ _________________________

■

ALL BUT GONE

MOW THE LAWNS, ESPECIALLY ARRANGE FOR PROFESSIONAL FOR RENTERS _______________■ CARPET CLEANERS ___________■ DRAIN FUEL AND OIL FROM ARRANGE A PROPERTY LAWN MOWER _______________■ INSPECTION _ _______________■ BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER’S SETTLE OUTSTANDING BILLS _ __■ HARD DRIVE _ _______________■ ORGANISE PET TRANSPORT _____■ PLAN MEALS FOR THE LAST CONTACT COUNCIL TO UPDATE COUPLE OF WEEKS TO MINIMISE PACKING ___________________■ DETAILS OF PETS ADDRESS TO BE APPLIED TO THE MICROCHIP __■ ORGANISE ANY CRITICAL REPAIRS NEEDED TO THE HOUSE _ ■ _________________________■ Organise disconnection and re-connection of:

■ ELECTRICITY PROVIDER _ ______■ TELEPHONE LANDLINE _

_______

■ INTERNET PROVIDER __________■ PAY TV PROVIDER _

__________

Confirm arrangements with everyone: REMOVALIST CONFIRMED _ _____■ FRIENDS/FAMILY CONFIRMED ___■ HIRE TRUCK CONFIRMED _ ______■ STORAGE CONFIRMED _________■ Organise written confirmations with whom you can. In case we forgot anything:

FINAL THINGS TO DO

DEFROST FREEZER & FRIDGE _ __■ CLEAN OVEN ________________■ CLEAN FREEZER & FRIDGE _ ____■ CLEAN BATHROOM _ __________■ PACK FINAL THINGS ___________■ CLEAN LAUNDRY _ ___________■ BOOK THE ELEVATOR IF NEEDED _■ WASH AND DRY ANY DIRTY CLOTHING __________________■ IF YOU ARE SECURITY CONSCIOUS DON’T FORGET THE CLOTHING ORGANISE FOR NEW LOCKS TO BE FITTED TO YOUR NEW HOUSE _ ■ PEGS ON THE CLOTHES LINE _ ___■

■ _________________________■ MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS _________________________■ THEIR OWN SURVIVAL BOX _ ____■ _________________________■ COMPREHENSIVELY CLEAN KITCHEN ___________________■ _________________________■ DISCONNECT WASHING MACHINE AND ALLOW TO DRAIN _________■

_________________________

Don’t forget the ‘Survival Box’. Have a box set aside for things you will need during and after the move. You may need: VITAL MEDICINES _ ___________■ TORCH _ ___________________■ FIRST AID KIT _ ______________■ KIDS SLEEPWEAR _ ___________■

■ COFFEE _ __________________■ SUGAR _ ___________________■ MILK _ ____________________■ MUGS _ ___________________■ BREAD ____________________■ BUTTER _ __________________■ KNIFE _____________________■ SANDWICH FILLERS ___________■ SNACKS _ __________________■ KETTLE _

__________________

■ WORK CLOTHES _ ____________■ KIDS FAVOURITE TOYS _ _______■ TOILETRIES _ _______________■ TOWELS _ __________________■ SOAP _ ____________________■ TOILET PAPER _ _____________■ PET FOOD & BOWLS __________■ PET LEADS _________________■ _________________________■ SCHOOL NEEDS _

____________

Keep that survival box handy, and remember there are still the following to sort through. MAKE OR CONFIRM KEY TURN OFF POWER AND MAKE A COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS ___■ NOTE OF METER READINGS _____■ DO A FINAL CHECK OF ALL ________|_ ____________ ELECTRICITY METER READINGS STORAGE AREAS_ ____________■

TURN OFF WATER AND MAKE A DO A FINAL CHECK ON THE GARAGE _ __________________■ NOTE OF METER READING ______■ CHECK ALL FURNITURE AND BOXES _ _________________________ WATER METER READING AGAINST YOUR INVENTORY LIST AS THEY GO INTO THE TRUCK ____■ CHECK THE BACK OF THE TRUCK BEFORE IT DRIVES OFF _ _______■ TURN ELECTRICITY OFF AT ALL POWER POINTS ______________■ LEAVE A WELCOMING NOTE FOR THE NEW RESIDENTS, INCLUDING YOUR CHECK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS ARE SECURELY LOCKED _ ______■ FORWARDING ADDRESS AND CONTACT NUMBERS _ _____■ KEEP ALL VALUABLES, PERSONAL EFFECTS AND PAPERS WITH YOU _■ KEEP VISITORS TO A MINIMUM ___■ CHECK TOPS OF CUPBOARDS _ __■ CHECK AROUND THE GROUNDS FOR ANYTHING OVERLOOKED _ __■ LEAVE BUG BOMBS, OPEN TURN OFF ALL LIGHTS _________■ CUPBOARD DOORS ___________■ At the new residence and in the first few days after the move: UNPACK BEDDING AND MAKE UP CONTACT YOUR NEW LOCAL BEDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE _ __■ COUNCIL FOR GARBAGE PICKUP DAYS _____________________■ RETURN USED PACKING BOXES TO THE REMOVALIST __________■ PURCHASE A LOCAL STREET DIRECTORY FOR THE NEW AREA __■ OR RETURN ANY UNUSED BOXES TO SUPPLIER _ ______________■ IF YOU OWN A BUSINESS OPERATED FROM YOUR HOME, ADVISE THE DOCUMENT CONDITIOIN OF PROPERTY _________________■ RELEVANT STATE AUTHORITY OF THE MOVE _ ________________■ CHECK ALL UTILITIES ARE CONNECTED ________________■ _________________________■

Compiled, researched, design and layout by:

www.iimagination.com.au OTHER CHECKLIST IN THIS SERIES INCLUDE:

MY SHOPPING CHECKLIST MY HOLIDAY CHECKLIST CHECK OUT OUR:

GAMING PLANNER SYSTEM only $25.00 Most images were sourced from various sites on the internet, including: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Moving_house.JPG http://franklynalexander.com/Portals/4/ mwhandkey.jpg http://www.atlanticinternationalmovers. com/uploads/ATL-008233.jpg http://www.findwaldo.com/fankit/ graphics/IntlManOfLiterature/Scenes/ AtTheBeach.jpg http://www.westonandedwards.co.uk/ images/Penny%20family.JPG