Moving checklist

What to think about when moving house?

3 months before my move

• I plan a budget and days off for the move.
• I contact the people who will help me on the day itself and before (family, friends, neighbours, etc.).
• I choose a mover approved by the Belgian Chamber of Movers.
• I sort, I give away, I sell, I throw away.
• I place the things I am selling on second-hand websites or sell them at a flea market. I can also donate them to an association.
• I think of setting aside bubble wrap or newspapers to wrap my fragile items.
• I think of asking for cardboard boxes at my supermarket. Banana boxes are ideal.  

1 month before my move

• I notify my suppliers and other organisations that I am moving:
  • Internet
  • Telephony
  • Bank
  • Employer
  • TV
  • Insurance
  • Unemployment
• I find out what to regarding my water, gas and electricity meters at my old home.
  • For gas and electricity, I go to the "moving house" section of the www.sibelga.be website. All the actions to be taken are explained here, including the energy transfer.
  • For water, I request the reading of my meter readings or I complete the "contradictory meter reading" form. I find the information on the Vivaqua website, if I live in the Brussels-Capital Region.
• I start using up the food stocks in the freezer and cupboards.
• I create a binder with papers related to the move.
• I start packing
  • I pack what I use the least first;
  • I note the contents of my boxes on an inventory sheet;
  • I label the boxes (number, contents, destination room);
  • I do not overfill the boxes to avoid them being too heavy.
• I collect all documents and valuables in a briefcase that I will keep with me on moving day.  

15 days before my move

• I request the forwarding of my post 2 weeks in advance via the bpost moving service.
• I apply for two parking permits from the municipalities concerned: one for the old home and one for the new one.
• I arrange for someone to look after my children or pets on the day itself.

7 days before my move

• I prepare a suitcase with the essentials for spending the first night in my new home.
• I plan thorough cleaning in my new and old home. If I do not have the time, I call in a specialist company.
• I make a plan of the new home and think about the future location of the furniture.
• I unplug the fridge and freezer in order to clean them.
• I take pictures of the wiring of my electrical appliances (TV, set-top box, DVD, console, etc.) in order to know how to reconnect them later.
• I contact the gas and electricity suppliers to inform them of my move or my wish to change supplier. To compare energy suppliers, I go to the Brusim comparison tool.

Moving day

• If the meters are open at my future home, I read the electricity, gas and water meters.
• I prepare copies of the energy transfer document. I complete and sign the document with the other party at my old home and at my new address.

After my move

• I carry out the departure inventory of fixtures with the owner of my former home and hand over the keys.
• I reward the troops: I provide drinks and snacks for those who help out.
• I carry out the entry inventory of fixtures with the new owner.
• I declare my new address to the population department of my municipality within 8 days of my move.
• The following institutions are automatically informed after my identity card is updated:
  • The social security institutions
  • The mutual insurance company
  • The CPAS
  • Kind en Gezin / ONE
  • The family allowance fund
  • The regional housing corporations
  • The annual holiday funds
  • Forem, ACTIRIS or the VDAB, unless I am unemployed, in which case I have to inform them myself
• I organise my housewarming party to celebrate my successful move.