Informing People

One of the major tasks of moving is letting everyone know, and we've compiled a checklist for you to make this job a little bit easier.

Financial

You will need to notify all or some of the following:

• Banks, building societies, post office, credit union, stores and other institutions where you have accounts. You may wish to transfer your account to the nearest branch to your new home. If you change your bank account you will need to make sure that all direct debits or standing orders are switched to the new account or cancelled. Also arrange for any direct debits or standing orders for your old home to be cancelled.
• Credit, charge and store card companies. Give them your new address and bank account details (if applicable).
• Card protection insurer.
• Hire purchase and loan companies.
• Any local businesses where you have accounts.
• Your local post office if you have a pension book, as they will need to arrange for you to collect your pension from a post office close to your new home.
• Bonds and Stock Office - if you have premium bonds (the form is available at post offices).
• Stockbroker, share accounts, company registrars and other financial institutions.
• Private pension companies, accountant, solicitor, and professional or regulatory bodies.

Official Bodies

If you move house you must inform the following agencies:

• Department of Social Security, Child Benefit Agency, Department of Pensions, etc.
• Local authority. Inform them of the day you're moving. You may be entitled to a refund of part of your council tax.
• DVLA. If you have a driving licence or car you will need to get both your licence and your car registration papers updated with your new address (failure to do so is against the law).
• TV licensing.
• Local tax office. Quote your tax number, shown on your P60 or a payslip.
• Health practitioners. Give your family doctor, dentist and optician your new address. If you're moving to a new area you will need to register with a new (NHS) doctor and dentist. If you have regular prescriptions, make sure that you have enough medicines to last until you've registered with a new doctor.
• Private clinics or health practitioners such as a chiropodist, chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist.

Insurance

You will have arranged your buildlings insurance from the day you exchanged contracts, but you will still need to inform the insurers for the following:

• Home contents
• Mortgage payment protection
• Car insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Private health insurance
• Pet insurance

If you're moving to a cheaper home or to an area with a lower insurance rating, you might be entitled to a rebate on your car, buildings and home contents insurance. Now's also a good opportunity to shop around for a cheaper deal.

Utilities and Other Services

You will need to contact all of the companies that provide you with services to tell them that you have moved. Some companies will ask you for confirmation of your new address and moving date in writing. Again, this is a great opportunity to look for better deals, and there are a number of websites that compare prices for gas, electricity, telephones, broadband or digital TV, such as www.uswitch.com

• Gas, electricity and water companies. Make sure you obtain readings in both your old and new properties.
• Telephone companies, both fixed and mobile. If you're moving locally you may be able to retain your existing phone number.
• Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you have a broadband connection in your old home, you may need to make arrangements to have this service in your new home.
• Cable or satellite TV providers. If you have a satellite system you will need to arrange for the dish to be moved to you new house or for a new one to be installed.

Social and Leisure

You will also need to make arrangements to inform the following:

• Friends, relatives and business associates
• Newspaper and magazine subscriptions
• Book clubs
• Social and sports clubs
• Gym
• Professional and trade journals subscriptions