If you are moving for the first time, this checklist will help guide you to organize and prepare.
Checklist:
1. Establish a budget
- Add all income sources.
- Add to the total cost all non-negotiables: rent/mortgage, council tax, utility costs, electric, gas phone broadband water, TV license, petrol/diesel/public transport costs. These average costs are available at the government's Money Advice Service.
- Add all your annual bills, including car insurance, home insurance, insurance, and MOT/service. Divide this number by 12, to calculate how much you'll need to save each monthly.
- Add "b", subtract "c" from "a". Now you will have a monthly budget for entertainment and groceries. For unexpected expenses and Christmas/birthday gifts, you should keep some cash aside each month.
- If you don't have the money to live comfortably, you might need to find cheaper housing or a flat sharing arrangement.
3. You must ensure that you have enough money to cover the costs of...
- Your deposit and your first month's rent are required if you are renting.
- Your capital deposit is required if you're buying.
- Moving costs - For example, if you need to rent a van.
- Furniture and furnishings
4. Once you've found a property within your budget, visit it at different times during the day to listen for traffic and noise levels. A dry-run of your daily commute can be done at the same time you would normally begin.
5. Photograph your room and the house of your parents as they are. Things will change when you move out. Photos can help preserve your childhood memories.
6. Get rid of all your clutter. It will make moving easier and less time-consuming. You don't have to take everything you need for your new home.
7. It's not a good idea to throw away all your memories. You might be able to leave your belongings with your parents. You might also rent a self storage locker to store things you don't want to give up, but that won't fit into your new home.
8. How do you move your belongings from one home to another? Are you going to use your car?
- A mattress and a bedding
- A wardrobe or clothes rail
- A bedside table
- A sofa
- A coffee table
- Bookcases or chests of drawers
- Washing machine
- Horse dryer/clothes
- Vacuum cleaner
- Iron and ironing board
- Pillows
- Duvet
- Duvet covers and pillowcases
- Bett sheets
- Blinds/curtains
- Coat hangers
- Shower curtain
- Towels
- TV
- Sofa blankets and cushions
- Lamp for soft lighting
- Toaster and kettle
- Side plates and dinner plates
- Cutlery
- Cups and glasses
- Microwave
- Tea towels
- If you have a dishwasher, liquids and tablets can be washed.
- Tea, coffee, sugar canisters
- Laundry detergent
- A toolkit that includes a Stanley knife, flathead, Phillips and Allen keys/hex keys.
- Spare lightbulbs
- Laundry basket
- First aid kit
- As cleaning supplies, carpet cleaners are also available.
13. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. You may find them friends, and they may offer to look after your home while your are away. They are also a great resource for information about the local area.
14. These are important facts to remember:
- Find out where the fuse box is and what to do if it blows.
- Where is the stopcock if you need to shut off water supply?
- What time do the bins need to be empty?
- There are many plumbers and electricians available in an emergency.
- Check that smoke alarms and CO detectors are working properly. Replace batteries if necessary.
15. Note your gas and electricity readings. To document any disputes, take a photo if you have a watermeter.
16. Register to get broadband, electric and water.
17. Register to vote, and make sure you're registered for Council Tax.
18. Update your address on your paperwork (driving license, passport) and notify your bank/university.
19. If space becomes a problem after you move in (e.g., when you start to buy Christmas decorations, camping gear, or sports equipment), then rent it out or invest in a shed. If you find that space is a problem after moving in (e.g. when you begin to buy Christmas decorations, camping equipment, or sports gear), you can rent or invest in sheds.
20. To make it easier, create a list of chores you must complete each day. You can use this guideline to help you choose the most important chores for your home.
-
Daily
- Hand washing
- Oven hobs and other surfaces can be cleaned
- Flush the toilet and wash the bathroom sink.
-
Weekly
- Make sure to change your bed
- Vacuum
- Mop
- Dust
- Get out of the tub
-
Monthly
- Clean the windows
- High-level areas should be checked for cobwebs
These are the things to keep in mind as you leave your parents' home.
This is an important step you need to be prepared for, both mentally and physically. You will be able to return to your home once you have moved out. Your parents might repurpose the old room to be a gym, office or guest room.Your method of doing things may be different from that of your parents. Your parents may find it difficult to accept your new method of doing things and may attempt to criticise or overrule you. Your parents will always regard you as their child, even though you might appear mature to others.
If you feel that they are treating your poorly, take a deep breath and don't get upset. You can return home to love and care, knowing that it comes from a place of love and support.
Enjoy the process of moving into your first home. Remember to get all you need for packing materials at a cheap price. Right here.