Moving house

• Arrange contents insurance. You may find that your belongings are covered under your parents' contents insurance. If not, Endsleigh offer a good deal for students.
• Check that all the doors and windows lock securely. If need be, ask the landlord to improve the locks and install security lighting.
• Check that the property has working smoke alarms. To make sure an alarm is functioning check the batteries by pushing the button on the alarm. You should do this once a week. Change the batteries as soon as you move in as you can't be sure how old they are.
• Make sure you know how to contact your landlord in an emergency.
• Take meter readings and register with electricity, gas and water companies.
• Get the telephone re-connected in your name.
• Obtain a TV licence, click here for more details.
• Register your council Tax status, click here for details.
• Get on the electoral register. Click here for details of how to go about this.
• Inform people of your change of address. This should include: - your utility providers (gas, water, electricity) - your telephone company - your bank or building society - your credit card company - your insurers - the DVLA.
• Redirect your post. You can set up automatic mail redirection to your new address on the Royal Mail website.
• To find out about rubbish collection and recycling schemes in your neighbourhood click here.