Moving house

When you move out of a rented home, make sure to end your tenancy and pay your final bills. Change the address for your benefits, GP, driving licence and the services you use. 

When you move into a new home keep a record of everything your landlord gives you. They have a legal duty to provide the right tenancy agreement and safety certificates. 

Before you move out

Make sure that you:

• end your tenancy correctly

• leave the property clean and tidy

• take a photo of final meter readings

• return your keys

• check the inventory

If your landlord or letting agent wants to inspect your home before you leave, tell them a time that suits you.

They should give you at least 24 hours' notice before coming to the property. You have the right to 48 hours' notice if you have a private residential tenancy.

Getting your deposit back

Get evidence of anything that could affect your deposit. Take photos of things like:

• cleaning you’ve done

• items on the inventory

• outstanding repairs that you've already reported

This helps you challenge your landlord or letting agent if they try to take money for cleaning or repairs.

Check our advice on getting your deposit back.

Who to tell when you move house

Let your service providers know that you’re moving and ask for a final bill. Contact:

• the electricity and gas company

• telephone and broadband providers

Update your address details with:

• the council tax team

• banks and any insurance companies

• the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA), if you have a driver’s licence

• the Department for Work and Pensions or the benefits team at the council, if you get any benefits

• any schools, universities, colleges and places of work for you and your family

• TV companies

At your new address:

• register to vote

• get a TV licence

• register with a new GP

• register with a new dentist

• check when your rubbish is collected and where to leave it

To get your mail forwarded from your old address, pay for a redirection with Royal Mail.

If you need help moving

You can hire a removal firm to help you move your belongings.

Search online for removal companies in your area. Compare a few prices before you pick one. 

Consider whether you want to insure your move. Check Money Saving Expert’s advice on removal insurance. 

If you need help paying for a move

If you need help with moving costs, apply for these grants and loans:

• Discretionary Housing Payment

• Community Care Grant

• budgeting advance or loan - this needs to be paid back

If your tenancies overlap, check if you can get benefits for 2 homes.

Contact Citizens Advice to check what you’re entitled to and get help with applying.

When you move into your new home

Make sure safety checks have been done. Your landlord must provide:

• a gas safety certificate

• an electrical safety certificate

• the correct alarms for fire safety

Check that doors and windows lock. You can change the locks on doors if you want to, but check with your landlord first. Keep the old locks and keys in case you need to refit them when you leave.

Make sure you know where the fuse box is, and any switches for turning off the water and gas supply. You may need to turn them off in an emergency.

If there are repair problems when you move in, report them immediately. Check our advice on:

• reporting repairs to a private landlord or letting agent

• reporting repairs to a council or housing association

Check your inventory

Make sure all the items listed are in your home. Report to your landlord if anything is missing or not as described.

If your landlord does not give you an inventory, you could:

• ask them to provide one

• write one up yourself and get them to sign it

Check your energy suppliers

Your landlord should tell who the current energy suppliers are. Check:

• Find My Supplier for gas

• the Energy Network Association for electricity

You should be able to change the energy supplier. Check Citizens' Advice guidance on switching energy supplier if you’re a tenant.