The house of your dreams: OK! The official documents: OK! The keys: also! Now the real work begins: the move.

Moving house is high on the list of stressful events. But with the right organisation, it is possible to live through them with peace of mind.

We've put together these tips to make life easier between the day you decide to move and the day you move into your new home.

Make a checklist of contracts to be moved, and contact the operators

The first step is to start looking at your telephone, energy or water contracts to see if you can easily move them. Start notifying suppliers of your forthcoming change of address, and check whether you are still contracted with them. Moving house can be an opportunity to change your internet, TV or phone contracts to get better terms. We advise you to compare offers each time we move.

Declutter before you move

Before you even think about boxes, you can start by sorting out your clutter. Throw away, sell or give away, but get rid of what you won't take with you.

Don't make the mistake of moving everything around when you think of sorting in your new home. You won't have the time or inclination to think about it, as your priority will be to get settled.

Cardboard, cardboard, cardboard

You'll never have enough on moving day! How do you find them? Nothing could be simpler: ask a local shopkeeper, the supermarket, the last friends who moved, or go to a at a Foyer agent.

Also prepare tape, scissors, labels, and large markers and bubble wrap. Labels are very useful for writing on each box what it contains and where it goes (tip: write on the top and side of the boxes so that you can read even when they are stacked).

Choose a mover

Whether it's professionals or a group of friends, it's ultimately the most important ingredient in a successful move.

The former can do just about anything: packing, dismantling furniture, loading, transporting and unloading. With them it's simple and almost hassle-free.
With friends, you choose the cheap and friendly move. You just need to bring gloves and food for everyone.

Mail forwarding

When you move, only you know your new address. It may take some time to tell everyone the new address.

To ensure that mail does not get lost in the meantime, you can ask the Post Office to automatically redirect it to your new home.

This service is subject to a charge and is limited in time. And it is not the post office that will inform your addressees. You must therefore continue to inform your acquaintances, institutions and suppliers of your new address.

A survival kit in a lawless environment

On moving day, all your belongings will be packed, stacked and scattered. Gather a box of essentials such as toilet paper, coffee, toiletries, etc.

You'll thank yourself later, when you don't have 20 boxes to open to find your favourite pillow before bed.

Valuable items

Keep your valuables together and close to you. This applies to jewellery, but also to important documents.

Moving house is always a good opportunity for thieves and bad luck. Avoid tempting either.

Counters

Don't forget to take a reading (or photo) of your water, gas and electricity meters.

If the new tenant or landlord has the same supplier as you, you can complete the transfer documents together. In this way, you will avoid the costs of switching meters off and on again.

In addition to being well organised, it is important to be well prepared when moving house. insured. We advise you to inform your insurance agent of your change of situation without delay.