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September 1, 2020 | IN Media Release and News | BY AVID | 5 min read

Buying a new home is incredibly exciting and is something that most Australians dream of doing. Once the intensity of the house hunting, the bidding and acceptance of an offer and the final settlement are over, it’s time for the big move. For first home owners moving into their new home, there are a few key tasks which may be unfamiliar. Making the seamless transition into a new home is a matter of planning and forward-thinking. With this simple guide, you can ensure that the move goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Give notice

If you’re currently renting you’ll need to give your landlord notice of your intention to leave. While the regulations differ slightly between states, you will generally need to provide written notice 2 weeks in advance of your planned exit date. Visit your local tenancy authority’s website or obtain a Notice of Intention to Vacate form from your landlord and be sure to have it filled out and submitted in advance.

2. Organise a cleaner

Many tenants choose to complete their exit clean themselves and this is something you might opt to do in order to save some money. However, hiring a bond cleaner to take care of this task can make the move that much easier and free up your time for other jobs. If you have pets you’ll also be required to have a pest control service spray the property before you will receive your bond refund.

3. Update your contact details

While it is important that your mail can still reach you at your new home, it can take quite a while to let each of your financial institutions, utilities providers, and other important contacts know that you have moved. Redirecting your mail with the post office can save a lot of time and hassle (not to mention lost mail) and give you extra time to update your details with all the relevant parties.

4. Connect your utilities

When moving to a new home you’ll need to connect the electricity and gas before you arrive. Before you move it’s a good idea to call several utilities providers and choose the best tariff available. You’ll also need to organise the phone and internet, however these can take quite a bit longer than the electricity and gas to connect. It’s best to begin organising these services several weeks before your move or once you’ve reached your settlement date on the new home.

5. Label your packing boxes

One of the simplest things you can do to make the unpacking process stress-free is to label each of your packing boxes with details such as:

• What room the box belongs in
• What the box contains
• Who the box belongs to (i.e. ‘Brad’s clothes: Main bedroom’)

6. Hire a removalist or organise transport

Whether you’re planning on doing the heavy lifting yourself or hiring a removalist, you’ll want to organise these well in advance. You may need to hire a truck if you’re moving on your own, however in many cases the costs for these two options are similar. Hiring a removalist, like hiring a cleaner, can save you a lot of time and energy.

7. Make a plan for your pets

Moving home can be fairly taxing on pets and most especially on cats and dogs. With the hustle and bustle of packing, moving boxes and then unpacking at the other end, pets can have trouble adjusting to their new surroundings. It may be worthwhile having your pets looked after by a friend or family member, or even at a kennel for a couple of days, while you move boxes and furniture to your new home.

8. Finalise your insurance

In all the excitement of moving, it can be easy to forget things like your insurance. Be sure to let your current insurers know of your move, and be prepared for any adjustments in premiums for things like car and contents insurance. If this is your first time as a home owner, you’ll also need to be sure you’ve got home insurance before moving into your new property. Insurance is another area in which you can save money by shopping around. Be sure to ask your current insurers for a multi-policy discount if possible.

9. Find your local supermarket, doctor, pharmacy and other amenities

If you’re moving to a new suburb it’s likely that you’ll be unsure of the local amenities such as schools, playgrounds, supermarkets and even doctors. Be sure to locate these important services before you move in and you’ll be better prepared to settle in smoothly once you arrive.

Whether you are a first home buyer, or have moved home many times, the key to a seamless transition into your new home is to follow these simple steps.  With a little forward-planning and organisation, you can ensure that your move goes off without a hitch.