When should I start packing?

Four weeks out for things you don't use (books, décor, out-of-season clothes), two weeks for most of the rest, and the essentials box in the final days.

Who do I need to notify of a change of address?

Bank and cards, employer, insurers, doctor and dentist, the tax office, driving licence, electoral roll, subscriptions and deliveries, and a mail redirect for the stragglers.

Is there a free app for this?

Simpleban's Moving house template is free for two people, with a countdown, due dates, ownership on every card and handoffs.

Moving house

Moving house checklist for two people: 8 weeks to moving day

Updated 20 October 2026 · by the Simpleban team

In short

Moving is a hundred small tasks with hard deadlines, and the stress comes from not knowing which ones are done. Work backwards from moving day: eight weeks out, sort the big bookings and start decluttering; four weeks out, notify everyone and start packing what you don't use; two weeks out, confirm the movers and the utilities; the last week, pack the essentials box and clean. Split every item between the two of you, put the deadlines on a calendar, and use a countdown so the date stays real. The list is below, and it becomes a shared board in one click.

Simpleban, a kanban board for two people: a shared “Our home” board with This week, Doing, Waiting and Done columns, cards marked Mine or assigned to a partner, due dates, repeating chores and a moving-day countdown.

8 weeks out

Confirm the moving date and book movers or a van (one owner).
Declutter room by room — a card per room, alternating.
Start a “things to fix in the old place” list for the deposit.
Measure the new place; decide what doesn't come.
Give notice on the lease if renting.

4 weeks out

Change of address: bank, employer, insurance, subscriptions, DVLA/DMV, electoral roll — one card each, split between you.
Order boxes, tape, labels. Start packing books and out-of-season things.
Book time off work for moving day and the day after.
Arrange childcare or pet care for the day.
Utilities at the new place: electricity, gas, water, broadband install date (lead time!).

2 weeks out

Confirm movers, parking, lift bookings.
Pack everything except what you use daily. Label by room.
Use up freezer food. Plan the last-week meals.
Final meter readings scheduled. Mail redirect set up.
Deep-clean plan for the old place, alternating rooms.

The last week and the day

Essentials box: kettle, mugs, chargers, toilet paper, bedding, tools, snacks. Both of you.
Defrost the fridge. Disconnect appliances.
Photograph meters and the empty rooms.
Moving day: one of you at the old place, one at the new. Swap when the van leaves.
First night: bed first, then everything else.

Make it a shared board

The Moving house template gives you the columns (Before · This week · Packed · Done) and the starter cards. Add the countdown, give each card an owner, put due dates on the deadlines, and hand a card over when it needs the other person — they'll see it as waiting on them, with a short email in the morning if it's still there.

Templates to start from

Questions, answered

When should I start packing?: Four weeks out for things you don't use (books, décor, out-of-season clothes), two weeks for most of the rest, and the essentials box in the final days.
Who do I need to notify of a change of address?: Bank and cards, employer, insurers, doctor and dentist, the tax office, driving licence, electoral roll, subscriptions and deliveries, and a mail redirect for the stragglers.
Is there a free app for this?: Simpleban's Moving house template is free for two people, with a countdown, due dates, ownership on every card and handoffs.