Whether you’ve bought a house or are renting a new place, moving is always an exciting adventure. There’s a lot to manage, from updating your address to setting up your new home efficiently. It can be overwhelming to remember and handle everything. Don’t worry—our handy moving checklist will help you be fully prepared for your move! From organizing moving boxes to planning the moving day and informing important agencies, our checklist guides you step-by-step through the entire process. This way, your move will be smooth and stress-free!
With our moving checklist, you’ll start your move fully prepared.
A good preparation is half the battle, especially when it comes to moving. Therefore, it's crucial to start early. Begin a few months before your move by requesting moving quotes, canceling old leases, and arranging new contracts. These tasks can take some time to complete.
Step 1: Moving – What Do I Need to Arrange?
The actual move typically happens in one day, but before you leave your old home, there are several tasks to handle. Here’s what you can tick off for the old house:
For the Old House:
- Sell Your Property or Terminate Your Lease.
- Engage a Notary: Have a notary prepare or review the sales or rental contracts.
- Notify Your Move: Inform both your old and new municipalities about your move (change your address).
- Arrange Utilities: Transfer or cancel your gas, water, and electricity connections.
- Update Subscriptions: Manage the transfer or cancellation of your TV, internet, and phone subscriptions.
- Check Municipal Taxes: Verify if you can get a refund for any prepaid municipal taxes.
- Inquire About Furniture: Ask the new occupants if they are interested in taking over any of your furniture.
- Transfer or Cancel Parking Permit: Move your parking permit or cancel it if no longer needed.
- Record Meter Readings: Note and photograph the meter readings as proof.
Note: You are required to notify your new municipality of your move at least four weeks before or no later than five days after the moving date. Failure to do so on time may result in a fine. Je bent verplicht om je verhuizing minimaal vier weken voor of uiterlijk vijf dagen na de verhuisdatum door te geven aan je nieuwe gemeente. Als je dit niet op tijd doet, kun je een boete krijgen.
For Your New Home:
- Apply for Housing Benefits: If applicable, apply for any housing benefits you may be entitled to.
- Find Out About Waste Collection: Check how waste collection is organized at your new location.
- Find New Healthcare Providers: Locate a new dentist, general practitioner, and pharmacy nearby.
- Search for Childcare or Schools: If needed, find new childcare options or schools for your children.
- Check for Furniture or Items: Inquire if you can take over any furniture or items from the previous occupants.
- Update Microchipped Pet Details: If you have a microchipped pet, update the address with the NDG (Dutch Pet Registration). If moving to a different municipality, don’t forget to arrange for dog tax and find a new veterinarian.
- Review and Update Insurance: Check and update your insurance policies, especially when moving from a rental property to a purchased home.
Preparation for Moving Day:
- Gather Important Documents: Collect all essential documents you’ll need and keep them in one place.
- Schedule the Moving Date: Plan your moving day and create a detailed timeline.
- Request Time Off: Arrange for leave from work for the moving day.
- Hire a Moving Company: Engage a professional moving company if needed.
- Arrange Moving Transport: Ensure you have suitable transport for your move, and if necessary, a moving elevator. moving elevator.
- Prepare Moving Supplies : Organize moving supplies such as boxes, blankets, and tape.
- Consider Temporary Storage: If you can’t move into your new home immediately, arrange for temporary storage for your belongings.
Step 2: Notify the Move on Time
One of the first things you need to handle when moving is updating your new address. Start by informing official entities such as your energy supplier, water company, and internet and phone provider. It can take up to four weeks to receive an installation package at your new address, so make sure to arrange this in advance to avoid being without essential services after you move.
- Family, friends, acquaintances, and neighbors
- Employer, colleagues, and business contacts
- Energy supplier
- Regional water company
- Phone, internet, and television provider
- Dentist, general practitioner, physiotherapist, and other medical specialists
- Subscriptions to newspapers, magazines, and journals
- Memberships in organizations like roadside assistance and libraries
- Insurance company and your bank
- Fitness club, sports association, and other (sports) clubs
Reminder: Don’t forget to notify the municipality of your move. You must do this four weeks before or no later than five days after the moving date. The municipality will ensure that your new address is communicated to various agencies, such as your health insurance provider.
Step 3: Prepare Your Old Home for Departure
When moving, it's important to consider not just practical matters but also emotional aspects. Take the time to make one last round through all the rooms before you leave. This way, you can be sure that the house is completely empty and take a moment to say goodbye. With these steps from our moving checklist, you won't forget anything:
- Ensure that all your belongings are properly packed. Read our blog on'Packing for a Move'for the best tips.
Carefully pack your washing machine and dryer, and seal the doors.
- Remove everything from walls and ceilings, such as curtains, lights, and pictures.
- Turn off all electronic devices and disconnect the gas supply.
- Securely close all windows and doors.
- Check the rooms one last time to ensure you have packed everything.
- Return the keys. If you have lent them out, be sure to retrieve them.
Step 4: Preparation for the New Home
What do you need in your new home? It’s not just about the items you bring with you but also important connections, such as those for your washing machine or dishwasher. Consider the following:
- Perform a thorough cleaning to ensure everything is nice and clean.
- Create a floor plan if necessary.
- Decide where your furniture should be placed.
- Place the boxes directly in the appropriate rooms in your new home.
- Check the boiler for maintenance, inspect the electrical panel, and count the number of outlets.
- Record the meter readings for gas, water, and electricity in the new home and take a photo.
- Have extra keys made if you don’t have enough.
Step 5: Moving Day!
The day has come: you’re moving. Here are a few last things on your moving checklist to handle:
- Start early to make the most of the moving day.
- Provide enough food and drinks for everyone involved in the move.
- Clearly inform the movers about which items should and should not be taken.
- If applicable, ensure you pick up the rented moving truck on time.
- Arrange parking spaces for both the moving truck and any moving lift at both addresses.
- Lay down cardboard on the floor to protect it during the move.
Step 6: Enjoy Your New Home
That’s it! Most of the work is done, and you’ve completed the moving checklist. Now you can meet your new neighbors and explore the area. Don’t forget to return any borrowed moving supplies.
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