Home Moving Etiquette UK: The Do’s and Don’ts of Moving Home

What is Home Moving Etiquette UK?

The etiquette of moving home is a set of guidelines that will help make your home move smoother and easier, they will prevent any disagreements or bad feelings and are essentially things that are polite and respectful to do when moving home.

First impressions are important so good etiquette ensures that you make a good impression not only on your new neighbours, but also the removal team that is helping you move home.

It is also important to leave your old home on good terms with your neighbours, you may need their cooperation on moving day and the last thing you need is more stress and arguments on the big day.

End of Tenancy Etiquette

When it comes to the end of your tenancy there are certain protocols to follow that will not only ensure you get your full deposit refunded but will also ensure that you leave your old home on good terms with the landlord and neighbours.

Giving Notice at the End of a Tenancy

It is a requirement of your tenancy agreement to give the correct amount of notice about ending your tenancy and is one of the requirements for getting your full deposit back.

Additionally, it will prevent you from paying any bills that are accrued after you move if you have vacated the property in the proper way.

You should carefully check your tenancy contract as it will clearly state the amount of notice you are required to give your landlord.

At the end of your tenancy ensure:

• That there are no outstanding bills
• That you have redirected all your mail
• That anything that belongs to the landlord is left in the property
• That any damage is repaired
• That the property is given a deep clean
• That you have the property inspected by the landlord or letting agent before leaving
• That you hand over the keys in person to the landlord or letting agent

Must read: What to do When Moving Out of a Rented Property. Essential information about protecting your deposit, understanding which type of tenancy agreement you have, and money-saving tips to make your home move as easy, cheap, and stress-free as possible.

You may also like to read: How to Tell Your Landlord You Are Moving Out. In this guide, we offer advice about how to tell your landlord or letting agent that you are moving out, including a template for an end-of-tenancy notice letter.

Moving to a New Home Announcement Etiquette

Proper etiquette dictates that you inform all your family, friends, and old neighbours of your home move with your new contact information including your new address, telephone number, email address, and move date.

The conventional way of making this announcement is by sending out a change of address card.  

It would be best to post these notifications after moving day just in case for whatever reason your move does not happen on the expected date.

Some people choose to have a housewarming party and would use the change of address card as an invite to the party as well.

However, be sure that your new home will be ready to accept guests, you may want to have the party a few weeks after you have moved in so that you have had time to unpack and get organised.

Change of address cards are readily available online and it would be nice to personalise them rather than send out too formal or generic cards.

You could of course tell all your friends and family your new contact details via social media or email but there is just something special and personal about receiving a card through the post.

You may also like to read: How and When to Tell Family and Friends You Are Moving Home. It is not always easy to tell family and friends that you are moving away so in this guide we offer some advice on how to tackle what can be a tricky situation.

7 Tips on Moving Out Etiquette

Moving out etiquette dictates what you should and should not leave in your old home, the condition in which you leave the home, and the nice-to-do things that will not only welcome the new owners but also provide them with some essential information about the property and their new neighbourhood.

When it comes to moving house etiquette, the rule of thumb is to leave your old home as you would expect to find your new home and treat others as you would wish to be treated.

#1 Communicate with your Neighbours

Pre-warning your neighbours that the removal lorry will be arriving at a certain time, and apologising for any noise or disruption they may face is not only good manners but will allow them to prepare themselves for any possible disruption.

They may even offer to free up a parking space for the removal van or even lend a hand if you need it.

It would also be nice of you to share some information about the people moving into your old home, such as whether they are a nice family with young children or they are a young couple.

You may also need to warn your neighbours that the lift will be being used to move your things between certain times so that they can plan accordingly.

On the subject of communication, it is especially important to talk to your parents openly and honestly if you are moving out for the first time.

Good communication will reassure them that you have made all the necessary plans and have thought through your move.

You may also like to read: How to Move Out of Your Parents Home. If you are about to move out of the family home into your own place then this guide has some invaluable tips. From planning the move to telling your parents, to budgeting, to the easiest and cheapest ways to move out, this guide has it all.

#2 Leave Fixtures and Fittings

If you are moving out of a rented home then there will be an inventory of things that were in the home when you started the tenancy, ensure every one of those items is still there or you may lose your deposit.

When selling a home you will have completed a TA10 Fixtures and Fittings form which detailed all the things that you will be leaving behind.

Fixtures include things like bathroom suites, radiators, light fittings, and kitchen worktops. While fittings include things like curtain poles, carpets, and lampshades.

Do you leave shelves when moving out? If you have not listed the shelves being taken on the TA10 then they must be left. It is usual practice that anything that is fixed to the building’s structure is left.

Do you leave curtains when you move out? Usually, you would agree on this with the buyers but you are not legally obliged to leave them unless you have listed them on the TA10 as being left.

Do you leave TV wall mounts when you move out? Again, this should be agreed upon with the buyer and listed on the TA10 if being left. If you are taking them with you it would be good of you to repair any holes left in the walls.

Do you leave light bulbs when moving out? It would seem extremely tight to take the light bulbs with you, after all, how would you feel if you got to your new home to find all the light bulbs had been taken?

The sad reality is though, that people do regularly take the light bulbs with them when they move out, so plan accordingly by taking a supply of bulbs with you to your new home.

It is really important to ensure that you do not remove anything from the property that was listed as staying as you could leave yourself open to legal action.

You may also like to read: Can You Leave Stuff Behind When You Move Home? Discover what you can and cannot leave when you move home, the legal ramifications of leaving or not leaving certain items, and frequently asked questions about leaving things behind when you move home.

#3 Make Repairs

It is the right thing to do to fill any holes left in the walls when you remove things.

Likewise, you should repair anything that gets damaged as you move out such as wall scratches and scuffs.

You may like to touch up the paint where there are scuffs or get the carpets cleaned after you have moved the furniture.

There is little point in repainting whole rooms or making any big or expensive repairs, the new homeowner is likely to want to change the paint scheme or replace the kitchen for example anyway.

The most important point is to leave everything safe and in a reasonable condition.

You may also like to read: Common Repairs to Do When Moving Home. In this guide, we look at all those little repairs that should be done before you leave your old home and the easiest ways to carry out those repairs.

#4 Have a Deep Clean

If you are moving out of a rented property then your contract probably states that the property must be professionally cleaned before you vacate it.

Check your tenancy agreement to see exactly what it says, it may specify a certain company you must use.

Ensure you keep the receipt for any cleaning work carried out as proof to your landlord or agent that it has been done.

When moving out of any property it is only right and proper that it is thoroughly cleaned.

There is nothing worse than having to spend hours and hours on moving day cleaning somebody else’s mess before you do anything else.

In all reality, the new homeowners will want to have a clean round themselves, but that is no reason to not leave it as clean as you possibly can.

You may also like to read: How to Deep Clean a Home When Moving. In this guide, we share some great cleaning tips for every room in the home as well as some recipes for eco-friendly cleaning products which can save you a small fortune.

#5 Clear Rubbish

The last thing anybody needs on moving day is to find bags of rubbish everywhere or the bin overflowing.

In fact, many contracts will state that the home must be left clean and free from rubbish and if you do not do so you can face the cost of the rubbish removal.

It would also be unacceptable to leave the wheelie bin or recycling boxes overflowing with your rubbish, so plan into your schedule time to get them sorted properly.

It only takes a few minutes to take the rubbish to the recycling centre and ensure your home and garden are left as they should be.

#6 Clear the Garden, Out Buildings and Loft

When moving out many people concentrate all their effort on making sure the house is clear and clean for the new occupiers but it is equally important to ensure outdoor spaces and buildings, as well as the loft, are equally as clear and clean.

It would be good of you to ensure the grass is cut and that the garden has not been neglected in the run-up to moving out day.

Garages and sheds, and more often the areas behind them, and lofts, are often a dumping ground but bear in mind that the new occupiers could seek the costs from you that they incur clearing your mess after you leave, so ensure that these areas are clear of rubbish.

You may also like to read: How to Declutter Your Loft When Moving. The loft is probably one of the hardest places to declutter. Not only will there be junk stored up there but often sentimental items that you would rather not part with. In this guide, we offer some tips on the best ways to tackle this mammoth task.

#7 Prohibited Items

There are certain items that for health and safety reasons your removal company cannot load onto the removal van.

It would be very bad form to try to sneak any of the items movers cannot move into a packing box. Should they cause injury or damage not only will your insurance be invalidated but your own items could get damaged or somebody could be injured.

Ask your removal firm for the list of items they cannot move.

You may also like to read: Non-Allowable Items: What Removal Firms Will Not Pack and Move. In this guide, we list the things that most removal firms cannot pack and move for health and safety reasons. Be sure to know exactly what is on this list to prevent invalidating your insurance, causing damage to your things, and causing an injury to the removal team.

10 Tips on Moving Day Etiquette

Moving day can be fraught with stress levels and emotions running high, but being respectful and polite costs nothing and will make moving day so much easier for everybody.

Here are a few tips to follow to ensure that everybody is treated with respect and good manners.

#1 Reserve Parking

Ensure that you reserve parking both at the property you are leaving and are moving to, the nearer the removal lorry can get to the front door the quicker and easier loading and unloading will be.

Note that this may also save you some money, some removal firms charge what is known as a long carry, when the distance from the home to the lorry is charged extra.

By reserving proper parking space you will also not block the street which could cause potential problems and arguments with neighbours or passing motorists.

#2 Clear Pathways

Clear pathways of slippery leaves or ice ensuring that there are no tripping hazards.

Not only will this make walking back and forth to the van safer but will help prevent mud and dirt from being walked into your home.

#3 Leave a Home Moving Binder

A home moving binder contains all the essential and useful information that the occupiers of your new home will need.

From operating instructions to guarantees and alarm codes to recycle bin days, it is a folder that will be invaluable to the new homeowners.

It is also a nice gesture to ensure all the keys for the home are labelled for easy identification.

You may also like to read: How to Create a Home Moving Binder. Discover the type of information that you should include in your moving binder so that all the information the new occupiers need is easily accessible.

#4 Leave a Welcome Gift

A bottle of wine, a ‘New Home’ card, or a bunch of flowers as a welcome gift would be a nice touch and very much appreciated by the new owners.

Even a little tea tray with tea bags, some coffee, sugar and milk and a few biscuits will show that you have thought about them.

A few nice touches like this can help relieve moving day stress in an instant, costs very little, and it is the little things that can make all the difference.

#5 Final Walkthrough and Clean

Before leaving the home for the last time have a final clean round and then take time to walk from room to room ensuring it is not only clean and safe but that you have not left anything behind.

We are so used to seeing a mirror or picture in a certain place that we forget to pack and take it, it is easily and frequently done.

Make sure all the outbuildings are secure, windows are closed, and the home is secure before you leave.

#6 Be Ready for the Removal Team

One of the biggest bugbears for removal teams is to arrive at the home and find that things are still being packed.

Not only is this inconvenient for the removal team but may add time and consequently will add to your removal costs.

Ensure everything is ready to go the night before you move with only a few essentials to pack on moving day.

This will also prevent you from rushing around on moving day morning, perhaps not packing things properly resulting in damage and without a doubt adding to your stress levels.

You may also like to read: Why it Pays to be Honest With Your Removal Team. Communication is vital for a smooth home move. In this guide, we look at the consequences of failing to give the removal company all the information they need to plan your home move.

#7 Have Refreshments Available

Some snacks and drinks will be very welcome for your removal team.

Not only is having a coffee or drink of water with the removal team a good opportunity to get to know them and to build a rapport but will also keep their energy levels up.

It is little touches like this that the removal team appreciate and often they will go that extra mile for you if you are respectful and appreciative of them.

#8 Should I Tip the Removal Team?

Whilst tipping is not as common or expected as in some countries, there is no reason why you cannot tip the removal team if you believe they deserve it.

Tip each mover individually rather than giving a lump sum to the team leader to distribute, it shows that you appreciate the effort each mover has made.

#9 Be Considerate to Your New Neighbours

When you arrive at your new place, take the time to say hi to your new neighbours, and apologise if the removal van is causing any obstruction and any noise that may be made as your things are moved in.

It costs nothing to be polite and first impressions count, so get off to a good start with your new neighbours by being considerate.

You may also like to read: How to Deal With the Anxiety of New Neighbours. Having new neighbours is often a cause of concern for many home movers. In this guide, we suggest ways to help you cope with the anxiety of new neighbours as well as ways to get off on the right foot with them.

#10 Leave Reviews

The final nice thing to do after moving home is to leave reviews for the companies that have assisted you in your home move.

Companies really appreciate customer feedback, good or bad, and it is invaluable for their potential customers, so leave reviews for the estate agent, solicitor, conveyancer and of course the removal team.

You may like to read: How to Write a Review About a Removal Company. The more comprehensive and factual your review of the removal company is the more useful it is to potential customers and also to the removal company. Read these top tips on how to write a really useful review about your home move.

We hope you found these tips on home moving etiquette useful, it costs nothing to be considerate and respectful, and generally, you find that how you behave and act is reflected in the way people will treat you.

 Good luck with your home move.