Tips for Moving House

July 7, 2021

Tips for Moving House from Mosaic Settlements

Tips for Moving House

Is your moving day just around the corner? As settlement agents, we know that moving house is one of the most stressful events you can put your family through. Having said that, there’s a lot you can do to make the process easier. Below are some tips for moving house we hope will help your cause.

Tips for moving house

Service providers

The basics you’ll need to take care of are listed below. Obviously, providers are different in each state of Australia, the examples below apply for homeowners in Perth.

Water

The good news is that the Water Corporation do not disconnect water services when a property is vacated. Water Corporation accounts are linked to your property, instead of you personally, and details of the new owners are handled upon transfer of the title at settlement. We carry out residential settlements Perth homeowners can rely on for a hassle-free experience.

Gas

Alinta require notice when you move to your new home, you can call the team on 13 13 58. Kleenheat have an online portal for existing customers where you can transfer your account to a new address.

Electricity

You can transfer your Synergy account to a new address via their online portal in just 10 minutes. Have your moving details, a copy of your bill or your log in details handy for a seamless process.

Telephone

While becoming less common, you’ll still need to finalise your landline phone account. There are way too many providers to list, but be sure to have your landline service finalised or transferred. Call in advance to confirm the moving date. If you’re moving suburbs, keep in mind that you will likely need a new phone number and cannot take your existing phone number with you.

Internet

Again, there are too many providers to list. Contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to confirm your moving date to ensure you have active internet in your new home. If you’re moving into a new construction that you did not build yourself and are buying from a real estate agent, ask them to check with the property developer to ensure that they lodged the NBN New Development Application through NBNCo. If the property developer has not lodged the NBN New Development Application, your new construction’s address will not appear in any ISPs serviceability checks as your service pit will not have NBN cables installed. As a direct result, you will experience significant delays in having your new construction connected to the NBN. If this is the case, mobile hot-spot may be your saving grace,  but a better long term solution is Fixed Wireless by the likes of Pentanet or NodeOne.

TV

While streaming services such as Netflix, Stan, Binge, Kayo, Foxtel Now and Foxtel Go are apps built into your TV or device, a cable Foxtel connection will need to be transferred to your new address. Having said that, you’ll need to check that Foxtel is available at your new address. If unavailable, Foxtel will disconnect your service and waive any applicable early termination fees.

Australia Post

It’s also helpful to setup a mail forwarder to catch any postal communication that might be sent to your old address.

Government, Financial & Insurance

myGov, ATO, Centrelink, Medicare, etc.

Login to myGov and update your contact details where you can. You may need to call some government departments to ensure your new address can be updated on your contact records.

Department of Transport

You want your driver’s licence and motor vehicle licence being sent through to your new address.

Banks

Despite a mortgage being approved for your new home, you’ll still need to touch base with your financial institutions to update your contact details after moving.

Credit card companies

If you have an AmEx or a credit card account with a party external to your main banking provider, be sure to reach out and update your contact details.

Your employer

Make sure your employer has your new address in their HR records.

Superannuation

Whether you’re with a retail or an industry fund, reach out and update your contact details to ensure all correspondence regarding your superannuation arrives at your new address. There’s billions of dollars of missing superannuation out there, be sure to ensure your communications are received.

Insurance companies

Whether it’s health insurance, home and contents, vehicle insurance, pet insurance or even jewellery insurance, you must reach out to ensure your policies are valid by updating your address.

Friends, family and other organisations

Friends and relatives

Especially those who are living overseas. It would be very unfortunate for you to miss out on a Christmas card from a friend or relative!

Educational institutions

If moving schools was out of the question when the topic of moving home first started at the family dinner table, make sure you provide your new address to your children’s school. Also update any contact details with TAFE or Universities you or your children are attending.

Others

Don’t forget to inform your Milko, library and any sporting clubs you’re a member or player of.

More tips for moving house

A few weeks before your big move

Get a rent-a-truck or hire a professional removals company

Get a few quotes to make sure you’re not paying above the standard rate. Always ask for a confirmation to ensure you’re not left hanging on your move day. Inform your removalist of:

  • The distance between your existing house and your new house
  • The amount of furniture you intend on moving
  • If you’re in an apartment, make sure you communicate which floor your existing and new home are on
  • Arrange a parking space for the removalist truck

List your possessions

If you’ve ever had to do this for home and contents insurance purposes, now is a good time to review to make sure you have a comprehensive list of all your items. It may come in handy for checking if you’ve left anything behind

Packing

Before you start packing, get your hands on a vast range of packing supplies. From bubble wrap for delicate items, through to spare rolls of sticky tape, and a range of box sizes, it certainly helps to be organised.

Each time you pack a box, use a marker pen to label the contents and delivery address. Wrap plates individually with paper, stack them on their sides and clearly mark the box as fragile.

Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in big boxes.

Remove the legs of your dining table and tie them together. Tape any nuts and bolts under the tabletop.

Empty and defrost your fridge / freezer. Drain where needed and do the same for your washing machine.

Our final tips for moving house

On moving day…

  • Record gas and electricity meter readings
  • Do a final walk-through of the house. If you have a cellar or an attic, check these for any possible items you may forget. Also check all wardrobes, cupboards, built in cabinets and drawers to make sure they are empty
  • Lock all windows and doors
  • Provide the key to your real estate agent
  • Keep all documentation from your removalist

Mosaic Settlements can help you!

If it all seems like too much, Mosaic Settlement can assist you with updating your contact details with various providers and authorities. Engage us to handle your property settlement and ask us how we can help make the transition easier. Contact us now!

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