The moving checklist, in the right order.

Agree who is moving and what matters to each person

A partner's career, school, care for relatives and pets shape every later choice. Moves strain families most when this talk is skipped.

• Add each person, pet and vehicle in Settings › Move details
• Write down each person's must-haves
• Agree a budget ceiling and who decides what

Confirm destination and move dates

Every date in your plan is counted from these dates.

• Set the departure and arrival dates in Settings › Move details
• If you are not sure yet, pick a target month and change it later
• When dates change, Rootstep shows every date that moves before anything changes

Sell your home

Sales take months, and closing from abroad needs a power of attorney.

• Get a valuation
• Choose an agent and a conveyancer
• Plan the completion date

Build the move budget

Deposits, double rent and transport surprise most movers. A budget now avoids debt later.

• Open Budget
• Enter quotes as they arrive
• Keep a tenth of the budget for surprises

Choose the area: commute, schools and budget

The area decides school places, commute and rent.

• Shortlist areas from your scouting
• Check school catchments if you have children

Decide what ships, how and how fast

A container, shared load, air freight or courier differ in price and in weeks on the way.

• List large items and their value
• Compare shipping against selling and buying again

Keep receipts for moving costs

Employers reimburse, and some tax systems allow deductions, only against receipts.

• Scan each receipt into Budget as you pay
• Tag costs your employer pays back

Tip: Some countries let you deduct moving costs for a new job. Check the tax office's page, or ask the assistant.

Get 3 quotes from movers

Prices for the same move vary 2 to 3 times. Hidden port and destination fees are a common trap.

• Ask for a survey at home or by video
• Ask for written, all-inclusive quotes
• Ask what is not included: port, customs, stairs, parking, storage

Tip: A quote that leaves out destination fees is not comparable.

Check the mover is licensed and well reviewed

Unlicensed movers can hold goods for extra payment.

• Look the mover up in the official register
• Read recent reviews
• Check their insurance

Plan for deposits and double rent

Landlords often ask for one to three months' rent as a deposit plus the first month. You may pay two rents for a while, and your old deposit comes back weeks after you leave.

• Add a Deposits line in Budget
• Add the expected date your old deposit comes back
• Plan for overlapping rent

Rent your home out instead of selling

Letting from abroad brings landlord duties, insurance and tax as a non-resident landlord.

• Choose a letting agent
• Get landlord insurance
• Check non-resident landlord tax

Tell your mortgage lender

Letting needs the lender's consent, and some mortgages change terms for non-residents.

• Ask for consent to let or the payoff amount

Book movers

Good movers book out weeks ahead, especially at month ends and in summer.

• Get a written contract with dates and total price
• Note the claims deadline

Sell, donate or give away what you will not take

Every box costs money to move.

• Go room by room
• For a move abroad, check voltage and plug types
• Book collections for large items

Give notice on your lease

Most leases require written notice. Missing the notice period can cost a month of rent or more.

• Check the notice period in your lease
• Send the notice in writing with proof of delivery
• Ask for written confirmation

Tip: Set the notice deadline from your lease here, and Rootstep reminds you in time.

Prepare a rental application pack

Good homes go to the first complete application.

• Collect ID, income proof, references and a guarantor if needed
• Keep it as one PDF

Tip: No local bank account yet? Use home bank statements and an employer letter.

Search for a long-term home and avoid scams

Rental scams target newcomers who cannot view in person.

• Use known listing sites or agents
• View in person or by live video
• Check the landlord owns the home

Tip: Never pay before you have viewed the home and signed a contract.

Insure your goods in transit

Basic mover liability is often a small amount per kilo.

• Ask for full-value cover
• Base the value on your inventory

Make a photo inventory of what you take

Insurers and customs ask for a list with values.

• Use Boxes to list items with photos and values
• Export the inventory as a PDF

Arrange storage if you need it

Goods often arrive before you have a long-term home.

• Ask the mover about storage at the destination
• Check insurance while in storage

Book the courier or excess baggage

Courier and airline baggage prices rise close to the date.

• Weigh and measure boxes
• Book collection and keep the tracking numbers

Book the registration appointment as soon as slots open

Registration slots are scarce in many cities, while the official deadline keeps running.

• Check the booking site daily
• Add the booked date and place to this step

Tip: If no slot is free before the deadline, keep proof of your attempts.

Cancel or move subscriptions and memberships

Notice periods apply, and some contracts can end early when you move away.

• List gym, phone, streaming and clubs
• Ask whether moving ends the contract early

Pack room by room and label boxes

Labelled boxes with contents lists make unpacking and claims easier.

• Create a box in Boxes for each box you pack
• Print the QR labels

Set up electricity, gas, water and internet at the new home

Internet installation can take weeks.

• Ask the landlord which utilities you must contract
• Book internet installation

Sign the lease or purchase and pay the deposit

The lease is your proof of address for registration, school and bank.

• Read the notice period and deposit terms
• Pay deposits only into an account you have confirmed belongs to the landlord or agent
• Get a receipt

Tip: Ask whether a deposit guarantee or insurance is accepted instead of cash.

Update your voter registration

Registration has deadlines, and voting from abroad often has early ones.

• Update your address on the electoral roll
• For a move abroad, check how to vote from abroad

Book final meter readings and disconnections

Without readings you may pay for the next tenant.

• Tell each utility your leaving date
• Photograph the meters on the last day

Book parking or the lift for moving day at both addresses

Without a reserved space, movers charge for waiting or long carries.

• Ask the building about lift booking
• Apply for a parking permit if needed

Make your change-of-address list

Banks, insurers, tax, pension and memberships all need the new address.

• List banks, employer, insurers, tax office, pension, benefits, child benefit and memberships
• Mark each one done as you update it

Tip: Some countries require foreign residents to report address changes within days.

Plan repairs and cleaning before you hand over

Small repairs cost less than deductions from your deposit.

• Walk through the lease's handover rules
• Book cleaning or repairs

Set up mail forwarding or a virtual mailbox

Letters with deadlines keep arriving at the old address for months.

• Order forwarding from the start date
• Or choose a virtual mailbox that scans letters

Make the moving-day plan

Moving day goes better when everyone knows who does what.

• Decide who minds the children and pets
• Plan the final walk-through and keys
• Share the plan with Family

Use up food and dispose of items movers will not take

Movers refuse paint, gas, batteries and food.

• Ask the mover for the list
• Take items to a recycling centre

Pack a suitcase and first-night box

Shipped goods can take weeks or months.

• Pack bedding, chargers, basic kitchen items and medicines
• Add children's favourite things

Cancel home insurance after the handover

You need cover until the keys are returned, and not a day longer.

• Send the cancellation dated the handover day

Hand over the home with photos and meter readings

Dated photos and a signed record are your evidence for getting the deposit back.

• Photograph every room
• Record meter readings
• Get the handover record signed
• Give a forwarding address and bank account

Moving day: check the inventory before you sign

What you sign at loading is what you can claim for later.

• Check the inventory numbers against Boxes
• Take photos of valuable items
• Keep the bill of lading

Check in to the new home: photos, meter readings and defects

Defects you do not record now can be charged to you when you leave.

• Photograph every room
• Record meter readings
• Send the defects list in writing

Send your new address to friends and family

So personal post and visits reach you.

• Share the address and your time zone

Set up salary, rent and standing orders

Late rent is a bad start with a new landlord.

• Give HR the account
• Set up rent and utilities

Get liability and contents insurance

Liability cover is required or expected for tenants and dog owners in some countries.

• Compare a few insurers
• Add the policy to Documents

Pay final bills and cancel direct debits you no longer need

Forgotten debits and final bills turn into debt collection at an address you no longer read.

• List all direct debits
• Cancel what you no longer need
• Check the final bills

Receive the delivery and note damage before you sign

Damage noted on the delivery papers is far easier to claim.

• Check box numbers against Boxes
• Write damage on the delivery receipt

Unpack and check everything arrived

Missing items must be reported within the claims deadline.

• Mark boxes unpacked in Boxes
• Recycle the boxes

Furnish the home

In some markets homes come without a kitchen or light fittings.

• Check what the lease includes
• Budget for basics

File damage claims before the deadline

Claims after the contract's deadline are refused.

• Send photos and the inventory
• Keep copies of all messages

90-day check: mail, address changes, deposit back

Loose ends show up after three months: missing mail, a deposit not returned, an old bill.

• Check every address change is done
• Check the old deposit is back
• Review the budget against the plan

Check citizenship rules, including dual citizenship

Some countries require you to give up your old citizenship.

• Check both countries' rules before applying

Check when you can apply for permanent residence

Permanent residence removes renewals and gives more rights.

• Note the qualifying years and conditions

Renew passports, IDs and licences through your consulate

Renewing from abroad takes longer than at home.

• Keep expiry dates in Documents
• Book consulate appointments early

Track days abroad for residence and tax limits

Long absences can break the path to permanent residence and change tax residence.

• Log trips abroad
• Check the limits that apply to you