Moving House Checklist
Expert tips for managing your utilities when moving house
Compare the Market’s Head of Energy, Meredith O’Brien, has a few tips for managing the utilities step of your moving checklist.
Meredith O'Brien
Head of Energy
Compare for a same-day or next-day connection
If you’ve left your connection to the last minute, compare on our website for a same-day or next-business-day connection. Your eligibility for a fast connection may depend on which retailers are available in your area, the cut-off times for a same-day or next business day connection, and which business days they offer connections.
Once connected, you can switch providers at anytime
You aren’t locked into a contract (unless it’s a fixed-rate plan with exit fees), so you can sign up with an energy provider that can connect you sooner. If their rates aren’t quite as competitive, you can switch to another provider when you have more time to compare your options. Make sure you check the terms and conditions before you select a plan.
Remember to organise a disconnection at your old home
Don’t forget to contact your current utility companies to disconnect your electricity and gas, so you aren’t charged for any usage after moving out. Even though you’ve moved, you’ll still receive a final energy bill from your current energy provider, which may include a disconnection fee. These connection and disconnection fees may vary depending on your retailer and where you live.
Step one: Hire a removal company
Unless you own a truck or want to hire one, you’ll probably need a removalist. When searching for the right company, you should consider the following:
- Only hire a professional removalist company licenced and accredited by the industry’s governing body, the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA).
- Do a background check on companies by looking through their online reviews.
- Get quotes from various companies so you can compare, but don’t compromise on quality when considering price.
- A good removalist company should offer you transit insurance through a third-party partner or themselves. While not essential, it may give you peace of mind if you’re worried about your belongings.
Once you’ve contacted a removalist company and you’re ready to proceed, confirm moving dates and read through the bill of lading. This is the contract between you and your mover that includes a list of your belongings they’ll transport to your new address.
The removalist company should also give you a moving booklet, which explains your rights if any items are lost or damaged. Read the section on your rights and responsibilities and cross-check the list of services they’ve agreed to perform. This helps ensure a stress-free move with no confusion.
Step two: Manage your utility connections
Next on the moving house checklist is utilities. Are you a renter or homeowner? If you’re a homeowner, the responsibility falls on you. But if you’re a renter, you should check your rental agreement to determine if disconnecting the utility connection service is the responsibility of the owner/property manager or you. You may not have the choice if you live in an embedded network.
Utilities to disconnect and connect before your move can include:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Internet (broadband)
- Pay-Tv
- Phone (landline).
Before you move out of your old house, notify your utility providers (e.g. energy companies) of your exit date with at least five days’ notice. Ask them to disconnect the day after you move out and send your final bill via email or to your new address.
When you buy a new property, the solicitor or conveyancer should notify the local water service of the change of ownership, but you can always call to double-check. Before leaving your old house, turn off the hot water and turn it on at your new place.
Compare energy providers for your new home
When moving house, you’ll need to set up a new energy connection, as you won’t be able to take your current plan with you. This is the perfect time to compare!
If you move to a deregulated state or territory like Victoria (VIC), SE Queensland (QLD), South Australia (SA) or New South Wales (NSW), you can compare your energy options to find a new electricity provider. Using our comparison service, you can enjoy hassle-free access to a same-day or next-business-day connection if you’ve left your electricity connection until the last minute, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
If your new home is connected to the Australia’s gas transmission pipeline system, it’s important to be aware that gas connections will take at least three business days to complete after you’ve compared gas plans and chosen one that suits your needs. Therefore, ensure that you plan ahead of your move-in date to ensure that you have energy when you move in.
Changing service providers may help you reduce your electricity and gas bills. Before moving house, you should be sure you understand the energy needs of your new home; for example, whether your home has solar panels and you’re eligible for a solar feed-in tariff.
To learn more about this topic, check out our guide to connecting and disconnecting utilities when moving house.
Step three: Paying de-energisation and re-energisation fees
When moving to a new home in Australia, electricity retailers may charge de-energisation and re-energisation fees as part of the process of disconnecting and reconnecting power, and you may see a spike in your electricity bill.
These fees can vary depending on the state, the distributor (the company managing the poles and wires in your area) and whether the connection/disconnection is made during or outside regular business hours. The fees are passed from the distributor to the retailer, so while you pay the fee to your retailer, it’s the local distributor network that controls the physical connection of electricity and gas.
It’s important to notify your electricity or gas provider ahead of time about your move to avoid delays or extra charges, especially if you’re moving on a weekend or public holiday.
De-energisation fee (disconnection fee)
This fee is charged when the electricity service at a property is disconnected. If you’re moving out of a home, the electricity retailer may charge a fee to turn off the power. Gas systems may also have a physical plug to block any transfer of gas, and as gas cannot be read remotely, the physical meter has to be read for your final bill. This de-energisation fee covers the cost of sending a technician to physically or remotely disconnect the electricity and gas supply.
This fee typically appears on your final bill from your old property.
Re-energisation fee (reconnection fee)
This is the service fee for reconnecting the electricity at your new property when you move in. The retailer arranges for power to be switched on at your new address, which may involve a technician visit or remote reconnection.
This fee is often applied to your first bill at the new property.
Additional Fees:
When moving houses in Australia or managing your electricity account, you may encounter additional fees such as:
- Meter reading fees: When you move out of a property, a final meter read is usually required to calculate the last bill. The fee can vary depending on the type of meter read (e.g. manual, digital or smart meters). If you have a smart meter, you may not need to pay any additional fees as these can be read remotely. However, if your meter is manual and requires a technician to visit the property for a meter read, a fee may be charged for this service. You may also be charged a fee if you request a special meter read outside the regular schedule (e.g. moving in or out) or need an unscheduled read (e.g. estimated billing disputes).
- Meter reconfiguration fee: If you’re switching meters from manual to smart in your new home, you may have to pay a meter installation or reconfiguration fee.
- Dishonour fees: A dishonour fee is charged when a payment (e.g. direct debit, credit card or cheque) is rejected due to insufficient funds or incorrect account details. It covers the administrative cost of processing the failed payment. This fee can vary depending on your retailer and the payment method, so always cancel your energy plans for your old house.
- Business hours vs. after-hours fees: Most energy services, including connections, disconnections and meter readings, are processed during standard business hours. You might be charged an after-hours fee if you require electricity services outside of business hours (e.g. on weekends, public holidays or after closing time). This fee is typically higher as it accounts for the cost of a site visit outside normal working hours.
- Late payment fees: Charged when you fail to pay your bill by the due date.
- Early termination (exit) fees: Some retailers may charge a fee if you’re on a fixed-term contract and decide to switch retailers or cancel before the end of the term.
Always check the terms and conditions with your electricity retailer, as fee structures may vary depending on your location and the provider.
Step four: Packing up
When moving home, the removalists will pack the big stuff, typically leaving the smaller items to you. If you’re looking to buy essential packing materials such as moving boxes, packaging, labels and tape, most removalists or storage facilities will sell them.
Packing can be easier if you split it over several weeks rather than doing it all at once. Not leaving your packing to the last minute will help smooth the moving process and give you greater peace of mind as moving day approaches.
Several weeks before your moving date, you can start packing items you rarely use or don’t need (like photo albums, books, and decorations). While packing, you’ll probably come across items or furniture you never use or no longer need. Consider decluttering unwanted items and offloading them to friends, selling them on resale websites, hosting a garage sale or donating them to your local charity.
The week before your moving date, start packing anything that’s not needed for the remaining time leading up to the move. Remember to wrap fragile items in newspaper or bubble wrap to prevent them from being damaged during the moving process.
Packing and moving tips
- It’s good to pack a move-in day box filled with essentials such as medication, mobile phone chargers, bed linen, toiletries, any child or pet necessities, and, of course, toilet paper for the first night in your new home.
- Remove any perishables, defrost your fridge and freezers, and clean them before your moving day.
- Drain any liquid from your washing machine and check the moving instructions to be sure you’re handling your major appliances safely.
- Take special care with valuables such as jewellery or important documents (e.g. birth certificates or medical records). They should be stored safely and transported by yourself rather than in the moving truck.
Step five: Moving out
If you’re moving from a rental property, remember to hand over your keys to the real estate agent on moving day and, if possible, pick up the keys to your new residence in advance.
After the heavy lifting is completed and the house is vacant, it’s time to call in the cleaners. As you did with the moving company, hire a cleaning service based on price without compromising quality. Some cleaning companies will also offer new customers free services so shop around and get a few quotes!
A professional cleaning service will save you time and effort and should do a superior job. Plus, if you’re leaving a rental, they’ll often guarantee their work, so you have a better chance of getting all of your bond back.
Step six: Update your new address details
When moving, there are many organisations and people to update your change of address with. The number of services to update can be overwhelming, so we’ve separated them into three priority levels, but this may be different depending on your personal situation.
Highest priority
It’s important to update these services or companies either before or within a week of your move:
- Car, home and contents and other insurance policies.
- Government bodies such as Medicare, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Electoral Commission, Australian Jobsearch and Centrelink online
- Your bank or credit card company for security reasons (e.g. sending out new cards)
- Rental providers if you’re leasing goods
- Driver’s licence and car registration through your state’s road authority
- Your friends and family members– how else will they find your housewarming party?
Medium priority
To ensure everything is up to date, it’s a good idea to update your address within approximately two weeks of the move.
- Your superannuation fund
- Your lawyer or solicitor
- The local council to ensure your pet is registered in its new surroundings
- Your work, university, TAFE or children’s school
- Doctors and health professionals such as your GP, physio and dentist.
Low priority
Make sure to update your address details before any deliveries arrive at the wrong address.
- Membership and loyalty clubs such as the gym or any other recreational clubs
- Online retailers such as eBay, Amazon or your supermarket delivery service
- Home subscriptions such as meal delivery, wine or magazines that need to be redirected or cancelled.
Don’t forget about your car, home, contents and other insurance policies
When moving house, it’s essential to update your insurance. Alternatively, you could use this time to shop around, get some quotes and potentially transfer to a cheaper policy. Here are two types of insurance you’ll need to update:
- Your home and contents insurance policy is no longer accurate when you relocate. It’s important to update your insurance company with your new address following a move, as it could impact a potential claim if something happens at your new home, but your insurer doesn’t have this address. Moving house can also change your premiums, so it can be a great time to compare home insurance and see whether you can find a better policy. If you’re a renter, you can compare renters insurance.
- It’s also important that your car insurance policy details are up to date; otherwise, you risk your insurer rejecting your claim. You should update details like your address, where you park your car at night and how often you drive, as some insurers consider these factors when calculating premiums.
Step seven: Organise mail redirection
Concerned you missed someone? Whether you’re moving overseas or moving around the corner, you can get your mail redirected to your new address. Arrange a mail forward for a defined period while you settle down in your new place.
You can be flexible in how long you want your mail redirection to be active, and you can even opt-in to let Australia Post handle some of your address updating for eligible services and remove some of the burden from yourself.
Step eight: Unpack and relax
When the removalists unpack your furniture, show them where you want the furniture positioned. You can also give them a floor plan and label your belongings for each room, so that they can get all your boxes situated in the right place. This will save you some reshuffling later.
After the removalists unpack the larger items, double-check that all your belongings are accounted for and in good condition. It’s important to do this right away to avoid any time limitations on claims with removals insurance.
Once you unpack the smaller items, you can explore your new house and all it offers.
With a new house, it’s the little things you need to discover, including:
- Finding out what day is ‘bin day’
- Familiarising yourself with the area
- Checking out fencing if you have any pets
- Changing the locks if you have security concerns
- Cutting new keys
- Meeting the neighbours.
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to relax. Moving house is a stressful process; it requires time off work, months of planning and a lot of hard work, so make sure you take the time to enjoy your new home!
Meet our energy expert, Meredith O’Brien
As the Head of Energy at Compare the Market, Meredith O’Brien believes in educating Australian customers about the everchanging gas and electricity market so they can adjust their energy usage habits and get the most out of their energy plans.
Meredith has six years within the energy industry, following 15 years of experience in financial services and is currently studying a Master of Business Administration. Meredith is a dedicated customer advocate who is passionate about empowering Australians to find the right products to suit their needs by removing the confusion from comparing.