"Moving house is one of the most complicated, stress-inducing undertakings known to mankind
. There are few shortcuts and there are thousands of details to remember. The key to a successful move is to have a schedule starting weeks before the moving date and there are checklists available on the web to help you organize your transition from one home to another. However, the best-laid plan usually will miss a few things, so here are 5 tips for anticipating some of the unforeseen details that many people will typically overlook.
Houseplants - Most movers will not be able to move your houseplants. Be sure to make a plan for transferring them. Save small boxes to put plants in and make sure they fit in without breaking branches or leaves. Pack newspaper around the bottom of the box if the pot does not fit snugly. Mark boxes "This Side Up" if you close the tops.
Pets - Try not to freak your pets out with last minute frenzied packing. Moving can be very traumatic for pets, so it's a good idea to pack your belongings over a period of time. Make arrangements for appropriate carrying containers and don't let them eat or drink too much water right before moving. Carry water and food if it's a long journey.
Keys and Garage Door Opener - Round up any keys to doors or cabinets and label them for the new tenant. Front door locks are likely to be changed but oftentimes there are other keys and locks within the home that will not need to be changed. Don't forget to take the garage door opener out of your glove box in the car and leave it in the old house for the new tenant.
Loaned and Borrowed Items - Be sure to return any items you may have borrowed from neighbors and retrieve anything that you have loaned. Use the opportunity to say your goodbyes - in fact you can use saying goodbye as a pretext for a visit so that you can ask for your hedge clippers back without seeming cheeky.
Schedule an End of Tenancy Cleaning - To make sure you get your deposit back in full, schedule an end of tenancy cleaning service to arrive on the right day between the day you move out and before the lease agreement expires. For end of tenancy cleaning, London and most major cities offer many choices."