Lead image: iStock

With the stamp duty deadline looming on 30 June 2021, many Brits will be feeling rather overwhelmed to complete on their desired property and move house. In March alone, mortgage borrowing was at its strongest levels since records began in April 1993*, and according to Attic Self Storage, the leading London self-storage provider, there has been a significant rise in people using storage facilities to help prepare them for their move.

To help make the process just that little bit easier for those of you soon looking to move home, here are some handy tips to speed up your move…

1 Sell or donate any unwanted furniture
 Measure up the space in your new home to ensure your current furniture will fit. Do this as early as possible, so you can arrange to sell pieces that will not fit in advance – this can also make you a bit of money ahead of the move. The last thing you want is the hassle of moving larger pieces into your home that will eventually need to be removed – or even worse, may not fit through the door! Alternatively you can donate your items to charities like the Red Cross or Debra.

2 Use self-storage to your full advantage
 Often due to the property chain, some people have to sell and rent while waiting to move into their new home. Alternatively, some home movers want to store furniture while they get organised to clean, decorate or renovate. Attic Self Storage, helps home movers with both short and long term space. These facilities offer 24 hour access, with modern, clean and safe facilities, to make it as convenient as possible. The sites also have electronic app controlled locks instead of keys for even easier access.

If you need to rent while waiting to move into your new home, or are renovating, self-storage companies can be a life-saver (photo: iStock)

3 Implement strict labelling systems
 Use a strict labelling system to ensure your move is as stress free and efficient as possible. Keep track of where and how you are storing certain items, and track this within a spreadsheet, noting the location of each item by numbering each box. Also ensure you have an essential items box for toiletries, food, and clothes or kids toys for easy access. Delicate items should of course be packed separately in boxes that are clearly labelled as ‘fragile’. Lastly, aim to pack as much as you can at least 3-4 weeks in advance to reduce stress, and work towards your last minute essential items being boxed up last.

4 Choose your move day wisely
 Start your hunt for your removal vans and helpers at least 3-4 weeks before your chosen moving date. If you have a flexible diary, try and aim for weekdays and longer hour slots to get a better deal. Moving companies are very busy on weekends, and so you might get a considerable discount if you can take the day off work and avoid them. Companies such as AnyVan offer much lower prices on weekdays, and even better prices if you opt for a longer window slot!

5 Create a move day checklist
 Moving can be one of the most stressful life events for anyone, and creating a thorough checklist for your move day is the best way to ensure nothing gets missed. One of the most common things which gets left behind is redirecting your post. You can easily do this by using the Royal Mail’s Postal Redirection service to ensure that any mail still reaches you. Some other questions you should be asking yourself are: Have you taken final meter readings? Have you transferred over your broadband provider? Have you taken photos of your empty property for inventory purposes? Having a detailed checklist will act as your best friend on the day!

* mortgagefinancegazette.com