Moving house, old door to new.

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

Apply for student housing

Student rooms are allocated early and fill fast.

• Apply as soon as you have the admission letter

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

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

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.

Book a first home that allows address registration

Where registration is required, it unlocks the tax number, bank account and permit.

• Ask the host whether you can register there
• Book enough nights to cover the first appointments

Tip: Hotels and most holiday rentals do not count where registration is required.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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