Your Tenant Help Hub
Welcome to your dedicated resource center. Everything you need for a smooth and comfortable tenancy is right here in one place, from move-in checklists to maintenance reporting.
Moving home is a significant transition. We've compiled this comprehensive guide to ensure every detail is handled, allowing you to settle into your new Premium Estates property with complete peace of mind.
Moving Home can be both an exciting and stressful experience. When you aren’t packing away clothes, you’re busy trying to remember which utility bills you’ve cancelled. Staying organised and keeping on top of your moving house to do list is the key to making the process run a lot smoother. In our lifetime, it’s likely we’ll move only a handful of times – therefore you can’t expect to be an expert. However, with our moving house checklist, you’ll be a pro in no time.
2. Contact your utility suppliers
You’re probably daydreaming about settling into your new home, and all the things you’re going to do to make it your own. But amidst all that excitement – don’t forget to get in touch with your current utility suppliers to let them know you’re moving out. You need to do this at least 48 hours before you move out.
Examples of the utilities you may include:
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Water
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Electricity
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Gas
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Broadband
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Phone
Once you’ve let your utility suppliers know that you’re moving, check your energy account to see if you’re in credit/owe money so you know what to expect and can budget for it. With all the associated costs that come with buying a home, it can be easy to miss a bill that may be heading your way! And more importantly – don’t forget to take meter readings on the day you’re planning to move out – even if you have a smart meter. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
If you want to know more about all things utilities when moving house, we can swot you up in no time.
5. Prepare a moving day essentials box
Keep your sanity on moving day by packing a dedicated 'essentials' box. This should include items you'll need immediately: a kettle, tea/coffee, snacks, basic toiletries, phone chargers, important tenancy documents, and a few basic tools. Having these within arm's reach means you won't have to tear open twenty boxes just to find a toothbrush or make a celebratory cup of tea.
6. Get quotes for removals
Don't leave the logistics to the last minute. Contact at least three removal firms for quotes to ensure you are getting a fair price and a reliable service that matches your requirements. If you're doing a DIY move, book your van well in advance, especially if moving on a weekend. Check reviews and ensure they have the appropriate insurance for goods in transit.
9. Move into your new home
The big day is here! Collect your keys as arranged, and upon entry, cross-reference the property's condition with the provided inventory and schedule of condition. This is a critical legal step to protect your deposit. Take time-stamped photos of all rooms and the garden. Once the boxes are in, start with the essentials, and begin enjoying your new space with the support of Premium Estates.
The Complete Move-In Guide & Checklist
1. Confirm your moving date
To help you narrow down your options, here are our top tips for deciding the date for the big move:
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Prioritise – always do what’s best for you and your family’s needs. Whether you’re moving with little ones or pets, it’s important to prioritise what demands the most attention and when. For example, if you have children it may be easier to move during the school holidays in order to avoid any disruption to schooling.
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Be flexible – let’s face it, not everything goes to plan exactly how we want it to. Plans can change, dates can get cancelled and that’s ok. Just work with what you have and before you know it, you’ll have the keys in your hands!
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Check availability - if you’re planning on hiring a removal service to help with the move or family and friends, make sure to ask when they’re available well in advance, so that you have a variety of options. Keep in mind that if you’re using a removal company, changing dates can sometimes even mean a bump in the price!
There may be other things that you need to do before moving house that haven’t crossed your mind, but we’ve done all the thinking for you so that you can have peace of mind.
3. Have a big clear-out
Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter. Sort through your belongings and decide what truly needs to take up space in your new home. By donating, selling, or recycling unwanted items now, you substantially reduce the volume of goods to be packed and moved, which can lead to significant savings on removal costs and a much faster unpacking process later.
4. Get packing and label boxes
Now that you’ve had a big clear-out, packing up ready for the big day should be over and done with in no time.
Lots of people put off packing duties as the thought of boxes everywhere isn’t a pretty sight, and nor do they want to be tripping over them. However, packing early means less things to worry about come the big day – early bird catches the worm! Once your moving date has been confirmed, start packing up smaller room that aren’t used as much – spare bedrooms, garden sheds or those neglected corners of the loft where you stash the Christmas decorations.
Whilst it may sound like common sense, as the excitement of moving really kicks in, things like labelling boxes properly can easily slip your mind. Use a permanent marker to write which room the box is destined for and what’s inside it – especially if they’re fragile. Though, there are other approaches if time is of the essence, like labelling rooms by colours and using bright stickers to distinguish between them – not only timely but fun too!
7. Change your address
Aside from utility suppliers, as soon as your move date is confirmed, you should also let any people or places you have regular correspondence with know that you’re moving. For example, this could include:
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Your bank
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GP surgery
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Dentist
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Place of work
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Insurance (including pets, car and travel)
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The DVLA
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Inland Revenue
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Electoral roll (update your registration)
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TV licensing
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Top tip – it’s also a smart move to get any post redirected to your new address through the Post Office. There may be a small fee for this, but it does mean the guarantee that no important letters go AWOL, or end up in the wrong hands, once you’ve moved.
8. Check your home insurance
Your landlord will have insurance for the building's structure, but this does not protect your personal belongings. It is your responsibility to ensure you have comprehensive contents insurance in place. Contact your insurer to update your policy address and confirm that your items are covered during the actual move itself, as some policies require professional removals for coverage to remain valid.
2. Water
Old Address: Close your account and provide final readings if metered.
New Address: Contact the local water authority to register your tenancy and set up billing.
5. Council Tax
- Update both your new and old local councils immediately.
- Verify the council tax band for your new home.
- Check for any potential refunds from your previous address.
The Moving House Utilities Checklist
A stress-free move starts with organized utilities. Use this guide to manage your services efficiently and avoid unexpected bills during your transition.
1. Before You Move
- Notify all current providers of your move date at least 2 weeks in advance.
- Provide a forwarding address for final bills and correspondence.
- Take final meter readings on your last day and keep a photographic record.
3. Gas & Electricity
4. Broadband & Internet
- Check if your current provider offers service at your new address.
- Review contract terms; sometimes switching is cheaper than moving a connection, comparison sites such as uswitch to find the most competitive rates.
- Book an installation date early—waiting lists can be several weeks long.
6. After You Move
- Confirm the current supplier at your new home and provide them with opening meter readings.
- Search for the best local tariffs and switch to a better deal once the initial transition is complete.
- Set up new direct debits to ensure you don't miss payments.
The Premium Estates Maintenance Guide
At The Premium Estates, we are committed to handling your maintenance requests quickly and professionally. Our goal is to ensure your home remains safe, functional, and comfortable throughout your tenancy.
How to report a maintenance issue
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- Submit Online: Visit the 'Tenant Help Hub' on our website and click 'Report an Issue'. Complete the form with as much detail as possible.
- Attach Photos: Always include clear photos or videos of the problem. This helps our contractors diagnose the issue faster and bring the right tools.
- Track & Confirm: Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. We will review the priority and assign a contractor to contact you within our priority timelines.
Emergencies
What to do?
An emergency is any issue that poses an immediate risk to your health, safety, or the property's structure. If an emergency occurs out of office hours, please call our 24/7 emergency line listed in your tenancy agreement. For daytime emergencies, report via the hub and call our office immediately.
For life threatening emergency is always call 999.
- Total loss of power or water
- Burst pipes or major uncontrollable leaks
- Smell of gas (Call National Grid immediately on 0800 111999)
- Total heating failure during winter months
- Property is insecure (e.g. broken external door or window lock)
Damp & Mould Prevention
- Ventilate: Open windows while cooking, bathing, or drying clothes
- Spacing: Keep a small gap between furniture and external walls
- Extras: Use extractor fans where provided and keep them clear
- Maintenance: Wipe down windowsills daily if condensation forms
- Action: If small spots form, clean them immediately with specialist fungicidal wash.
Maintenance Priorities
Priority 1: Emergency
Attended within 24 hours. Examples: Gas leak, major burst pipe, total loss of power.
Priority 2: Urgent
Attended within 3-5 working days. Examples: Partial loss of water or heating, minor leaks.
Priority 3: Routine
Aimed to attend within 10 days. Examples: Dripping taps, broken garden fences, general repairs.
Other Useful Tenant Guides
Safety & Security
Coming soon: Essential tips for keeping your home safe and secure throughout your tenancy.
Community Living
Coming soon: Guidance on being a great neighbour and contributing to your local residential community.
Renewal & Moving Out
Coming soon: Everything you need to know about extending your stay or preparing for your next move.