Everyday life · England
Moving to a new home
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Moving can bring many changes.
Your choices and support needs matter.
Make your own plan
Choose who will help you plan the move.
Ask for pictures or clear steps if useful.
Get to know the home
Check access and room for your equipment.
A visit or agreed photographs may help.
Check costs and agreements
Work out moving costs and regular bills.
Get advice before ending a tenancy or changing benefit claims.
Keep support working
Agree who will provide care and practical help.
Check appointments, medicines and equipment arrangements.
Pack in small stages
Label boxes so you know what is inside.
Other people should ask before discarding your belongings.
Keep essentials with you
Keep medicines, communication aids, chargers and important contacts available.
Plan food, bedding and personal-care supplies for the first night.
Check moving-day details
Arrange safe transport and help with heavy items.
Check keys, meter readings and the condition of both homes.
Tell the right organisations
Update bills, banks, the council and each relevant benefits service.
Ask about your GP, voting registration and redirecting post.
Settle in at your pace
Keep familiar items and contact with people important to you.
Ask for help if the home or support is not working.
What you can do next
Agree a practical plan and check that essential support will continue.
Read MoneyHelper’s moving checklist Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- MoneyHelper: moving checklist for renters Web page
Budgeting, housing arrangements and practical move preparation.
- MoneyHelper: change-of-address checklist Web page
Organisations and services to update.
- GOV.UK: report benefit changes Web page
Who to tell depends on the benefits you receive.
- NHS: register or change GP surgery Web page
Registration options and updating an address.
- Royal Mail: redirection Web page
Paid mail redirection and concession information.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Moving house: a practical plan that works for you
Plan costs, packing, essential support and address changes while keeping your choices central.
Adults · England · Check arrangements for your address
Make a plan that belongs to you
Choose who you want involved and how the plan should be explained. A visit, photographs taken with permission or a simple timeline may help you understand the new home. Check access, space for equipment, transport and contact with people important to you. Your belongings and preferences should not be decided for you simply because you need support.
Check costs, housing commitments and advice
Budget for rent or mortgage, deposits where relevant, overlapping bills, removals and essential items. Get written removal quotes stating what is included, cancellation terms and protection for damage; check insurance limits and exclusions. Before ending a tenancy or giving notice, get advice about the agreement and your housing situation. Notice requirements are not the same for every type of home.
Arrange care, health and equipment early
Tell relevant support services about the planned move and agree responsibilities, dates and a backup if arrangements fail. Use the moving-to-another-council-area guide if councils are changing. Confirm how essential equipment will be moved, installed and checked. Ask your GP, pharmacy and other clinicians about prescriptions, appointments and ongoing treatment. Register with a new GP if needed, or update your address with your existing surgery.
Pack in manageable stages
Agree what you want to keep, give away, recycle or discard. Label boxes with words or pictures showing the contents and room. Keep important documents secure and keep communication aids available. Do not pressure someone into clearing treasured possessions to speed the move. Arrange trained help for equipment or heavy items; do not attempt unsafe lifting or dismantling.
Prepare an essentials bag
Keep prescribed medicines in suitable storage, a medicine list, communication aids and chargers with you where possible. Include keys, contact numbers, money or payment cards, a change of clothes, toiletries and familiar comfort items. Plan food, drinks, bedding and any personal-care supplies for the first night. Check who will help with essential routines while boxes are still packed.
Check the old and new homes on moving day
Agree travel, key collection and who will be present. If safe and accessible, record final and opening meter readings and take agreed photographs of property condition. Do not photograph other people or private belongings without permission. Check essentials such as access, heating, water and the sleeping area, and report urgent problems. Keep receipts and confirm the return or handover of keys.
Update addresses and benefits
Tell relevant utility companies, banks, insurers, the council for Council Tax and each benefit office or service that needs the change. Report benefit changes promptly. One notification does not update every organisation. Get benefits advice before making a new Universal Credit claim, because it can end existing benefits. Update the electoral register where eligible. Royal Mail redirection is a paid option, with concessions for people receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
Settle in with familiar support
Unpack important items first and agree a manageable routine. Keep contact with friends, family and chosen supporters, and check that appointments and care visits are still happening. Learn where keys, switches, exits, bins and useful local services are. Review what is working and what needs changing. If the home or support is unsafe or unavailable, seek prompt help from the landlord, council or relevant service.
Words you could use
“Please help me make a moving plan that respects my choices, covers the costs and keeps my essential support working.”
More useful links
- MoneyHelper: moving checklist for renters Web page
Budgeting, housing arrangements and practical move preparation.
- MoneyHelper: change-of-address checklist Web page
Organisations and services to update.
- GOV.UK: report benefit changes Web page
Who to tell depends on the benefits you receive.
- NHS: register or change GP surgery Web page
Registration options and updating an address.
- Royal Mail: redirection Web page
Paid mail redirection and concession information.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 9 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- MoneyHelper: moving checklist for renters Web page
Budgeting, checking tenancy arrangements, practical preparations and moving-day records.
- MoneyHelper: change-of-address checklist Web page
Insurance, utilities, healthcare and other address updates.
- British Association of Removers: code of practice PDF
Written quotations, described services and insurance or protection options for members; check the actual contract.
- GOV.UK: report benefit changes Web page
Report moving and other relevant changes to each responsible organisation.
- GOV.UK: claiming Universal Credit Web page
Check consequences before a claim that may end existing benefits.
- NHS: register or change GP surgery Web page
Changing practice or updating the address at an existing surgery.
- Royal Mail: redirection Web page
Paid redirection and concessions for Universal Credit or Pension Credit recipients.
- GOV.UK: electoral register Web page
Updating registration when an address changes.