Moving house means a hundred things to remember, and appliances are easy to forget until something goes wrong. A washing machine moved without its transit bolts, a fridge switched on too soon, or a boiler nobody's serviced in years can turn your first week into a headache.
This checklist works whether you're renting or buying, and whether you're bringing your own appliances or inheriting someone else's.
Before you move
If you're taking your own appliances:
Washing machine: run a short empty wash a day or two before to make sure it's clean, then drain it fully and clean the filter. Refit the transit bolts that came with it if you still have them. They stop the drum being damaged on the move.
Fridge freezer: run down your food, switch it off and defrost it the day before, leaving the doors ajar so it doesn't go musty. Wipe it dry before it's loaded.
Dishwasher: run an empty cycle, clean the filter and let it drain and dry.
Cooker: freestanding gas cookers must be disconnected and reconnected by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Electric cookers may be hardwired, so check before trying to move one.
Photograph the connections on the back of each appliance before unplugging. It makes setting up again much easier.
Check measurements of the spaces in your new kitchen and utility room, so you know everything fits.
If appliances come with the property:
Ask which appliances are staying and get any manuals, warranty details or receipts the seller or landlord has.
Ask when the boiler was last serviced.
Renting? Ask the landlord or agent which appliances are theirs to maintain, and who to call if one breaks.
Moving day
Take meter readings for gas, electricity and water, with photos, as soon as you arrive.
Find the essentials: the stopcock (to turn off the water), the fuse box or consumer unit, and the gas emergency control valve near the meter.
Let the fridge freezer stand upright for a while before switching it on, as moving can unsettle the fluids inside. Your manual will tell you how long.
Keep a kettle and a few essentials in a box you carry yourself, not on the van.
Your first week
Check what you've inherited:
Turn on each appliance and check it works properly: the oven heats, the hob lights, the fridge cools, the washing machine fills and drains.
Look for any leaks under the sink, dishwasher and washing machine.
Check the boiler: does the heating come on and is there hot water at every tap? Look at the pressure gauge against the range in the manual.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Sort the paperwork:
Renting in England? Your landlord should have given you a copy of the gas safety record and electrical safety report, plus the EPC. If not, ask for them. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Bought a home? Book a boiler service if there's no recent service history. It's an easy way to spot problems before winter.
Register your appliances at your new address with the manufacturer or the free Register My Appliance service, so you hear about any safety recalls.
Update your address with any appliance cover, warranty or insurance provider.
Renting: who fixes what?
In most cases, if an appliance came with the property, the landlord is responsible for repairing it. If you brought it, it's yours. The details depend on your tenancy agreement, so read it early. Our guide Landlord or Tenant: Who's Responsible When an Appliance Breaks? explains this in more detail.
Your moving house appliance checklist
Measure the appliance spaces in your new home.
Drain and clean the washing machine and dishwasher; refit transit bolts.
Defrost the fridge freezer the day before you move.
Book a Gas Safe engineer to move any gas cooker.
Take meter readings and find the stopcock, fuse box and gas valve.
Let the fridge freezer stand before switching on.
Test every appliance and check for leaks in the first week.
Check the boiler, and book a service if there's no recent history.
Get your safety paperwork if you're renting.
Register appliances and update your address with your cover provider.
The bottom line
A little planning before moving day saves damaged appliances and nasty surprises after it. Move your own appliances carefully, check everything you've inherited in the first week, and get the paperwork in order while it's fresh.
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Are you a landlord getting a property ready for new tenants? Take a look at our Landlord Cover, so appliance and boiler breakdowns are sorted quickly from day one.
