Leaving aside the fact that finding a new place to fit your budget and your needs can be an impossible mission and leaving aside the fact that even the mere packing and unpacking are exhausting experiences, moving can still be a big pain in the neck for most people out there.
One of the things most people are almost “terrified” of when moving house is the amount of paperwork they have to deal with. Even if you are not moving abroad and if you are just moving inside of your own country, the amount of paperwork you might have to organize can be quite impressive.
Since the removals company will not be able to handle your private documents, you will have to do this on your own. Yes, relocation can be a huge hassle, but in the end, a bit of organization and planning ahead will get you out of trouble.
Here are some of the most important things to know about organizing your paperwork before the movers come to help you remove everything.
• It is of the utmost importance that you make a list of all the paperwork you will have to handle once you move. This includes passports, work permits and visas (for those of you moving abroad), identification documents, bank statements and contracts as well. Make sure you think of everything you will need and that you put it on this list.
• Don’t forget about your kids’ school records. Believe it or not, getting their school records out and submitting them to the new school can be quite a hassle and it should definitely be done much sooner than you even believe. Generally speaking, one month prior to your removals is fine but make sure that everything is in order when you get to your new house – so that your kids can continue school on the normal path without wasting too many days.
• There will be documents you will have to leave your landlord or to the new owner of your house. For instance, they may need warranties, certain types of bills, papers that explain the house and what is in it and so on. Create a small folder and leave it somewhere where both you and the landlord/ the new owner of the house can see it when you hand in the keys.
• Some people choose to take pictures of their apartments or homes when they move in – just to be certain that they leave the place in the same state as they found it. If that is the case for you as well, you will have to take out those pictures and take a good look at them. Don’t do it until everything you own is all moved out. Try to analyse every detail – because most of the times that’s precisely where landlords will look.
• You will also have to submit a request for an address change with your bank and with your other service providers as well. Generally speaking, this is done a couple of weeks before the moving date, but remember to inform yourself on your particular service providers’ policy because it might differ (and it will most likely differ if you are moving to another country).
• If you have purchased removal insurance as well, make sure to keep it close to you in case anything happens so that you can show it to your removals UK company.
• Take all the paperwork with you in your handbag/hand luggage. Don’t allow anything to be away from you because it will most likely cause you even more stress than you are already experiencing. Keep every important document in a folder – and try to organize them properly so that you can quickly “unpack” them and place them in a safe place once you have reached your new home.
