Moving house

Whenever you move into a new property there is always a lot to do. The tips and advice on moving house below should help you make sure you’ve remembered the most important things:

·          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.