Moving House: It’s Not All About BOXES!

Spring has sprung and it’s a busy time in the property industry, with many people on the move – buying and selling. When it is time to move there is so much to think about; often the focus is on packing – filling boxes and then going through the process of unpacking. The other key thing to think about that can also be time-consuming but equally as important is the administrative side to relocating.

From signing rental agreements to setting up mortgage payments and taking out the right insurance, there’s a significant amount of work that needs to occur behind the scenes which goes beyond the physical act of relocating. There is generally a whole lot of paperwork…hard to get enthusiastic about that, but it’s a necessary component.

Regardless of whether your new home is one you own or one you are renting, there is inevitable paperwork involved. If you’ve purchased, this includes things like setting up your mortgage payment, and organising your rates bills with council. If you’re renting, you’ll need to finalise the Entry Condition Report and set up your regular rental payments.

In either case, there’s also the task of changing your postal address. You might want to put a mail redirection from your previous address in place, and you will also need to contact relevant organisations to advise them of your new address, including:

• The motor registry
• Australian Electoral Commission
• Centrelink
• Banking and financial institutions
• Medical providers
• Educational facilities

One of the first tasks involved in setting up a new home is having your utilities connected, including electricity, phone, gas, and internet. Often you can do this before you even move in, but in addition to this there might be a few teething issues you might need to work through.

This includes:

• Locating the relevant phone socket for your internet connection
• Finding the electricity power box for your home
• Establishing where the TV antenna is located (and perhaps purchasing a reception booster, if required)
• Determining which day is bin day

In some instances, you might need to contact an electrician, phone installer, or TV reception specialist to have things connected or the outlets shifted to where they would best suit your needs.

Along with connecting utilities to the property, there’s also the very real task of locating exactly where everything is and understanding how things work. For example, what light switch controls your outdoor lighting? How exactly does the central heating or air-conditioning work and what’s involved in programming it to suit your routine.

Some properties also have additional things to consider, such as water pumps, pool filters or security systems. Each of these takes time to learn about, remember and understand. Meanwhile, some things might not be working as well as you’d hoped, which might mean you need to call in tradespeople or have a repair organised.

Don’t forget insurance – regardless of whether you rent or own the home, insurance is required. If you own the property, this insurance will take the form of both building insurance and contents insurance. If you are renting, it’s important to take out personal contents insurance.

Moving is often stressful but is very much a part of life; how we manage it can make a huge difference to what the overall experience is like. You cannot be too organised. Good luck!