60 days before your move:

• The date of the public deed attested in the presence of the Notary Public: has the appointment been made? Is the mortgage loan file complete and has everything been sent to the Notary Public? Is the file missing any document? A quick call to your Notary Public would not go amiss…
• Choose your professional removal team: get quotes from several reputable removal companies. Compare their prices and services on offer. Are you arranging for them to do all the packing? Would you do it yourself? What is the expected deadline (packing, loading onto lorry, transport, unloading from lorry, unpacking, etc.) for the operation?
• Have you reached a decision? Don’t wait too long before you hire the chosen removal team, by specifying the move date. Avoid busy periods (end of month, summer holidays, etc.).
• Start by listing what is being moved and what is not. Rather than throwing things away, consider giving them to charities which can come and collect what you no longer want…

If you wish to move by yourself:

• Reserve a removal vehicle (trailer, van, etc.
• Acquire removal equipment (crates, sello tape, felt pens, wrapping paper, protective plastic materials, etc.)
• Reserve a space with the local authority to park your vehicle during the move.
• Take out insurance for your move

30 days before your move:

• Contact your insurer to transfer your theft and fire insurance to your new address by specifying the effective date. Do not terminate the coverage relating to the currently occupied building. You are still responsible for it.
• In most cases, you are entitled to a day’s leave from work for your move. Arrange it with your employer. Fridays are ideal as you will have the Saturday and Sunday to settle in.
• An empty fridge is less cumbersome: consume any frozen food, etc.

15 days before your move:

• Start to place your belongings into crates.
• Do not overfill your crates as they may become unfit for transport. Mix heavy and light items. Protect fragile items.
• Do not indicate on the crates what they actually contain. A burglar would immediately know what to go for. Number your crates and prepare a separate list of their contents. Write on the box the room in which it is to be deposited at your new address. Use language that is clear to and understood by the removal staff.
• If you dismantle furniture, list the detached parts and, if applicable, create a guide so that it is easy to reassemble. Keep the keys, screws, straps, etc. in an envelope which is tightly secured to the piece of furniture concerned.
• Place any valuables in a secure location. Keep all important documents (degrees, codes, marriage certificate, deeds, bank documents, medical documents, work contracts, etc.) and leave them with a family member or friend before you move. This will prevent them from getting misplaced in the removal crates.

10 days before your move:

• Consider closing and opening any water, gas and electricity meters. Or complete any ad hoc forms issued by the companies concerned.
• In the event of a move, (as of summer 2013) all you have to do is complete a single form to transfer the gas and electricity contracts. The three regional regulators of the energy sector (CWAPE, BRUGEL and VREG) provide consumers with a single form entitled: “Energy clearing document” to facilitate the change of user at a gas and/or electricity supply point. This document is very useful in the event of a change of address, death, sale of property, etc.
• Make sure that you transfer your telephone line (for instance Belgacom).
• Fill in a mail transfer form at the post office. For a modest fixed price, all mail sent to your old address will be automatically forwarded to your new address.
• Send an address change notice to your bank, your mutual fund, your insurance company, to any magazines and newspapers to which you subscribe, your employer, your friends, your family, your children’s school.
• Warn the alarm services if you have one.

A few days before your move:

• Make sure that you carry out a deep clean of your new home.
• Change the locks to the front doors of your new home.
• Disconnect your fridge and freezer and clean them.
• Turn on the heating in your new home.
• Prepare a case with a few essentials that you will need for the first night and a box containing a “survival kit” (items and food essential for the first 24 hours in your new home).

The day of your move:

• Keep your money, cheques, bank cards, keys etc. in a pouch that you will carry with you throughout the day.
• Go through the house you are leaving behind one last time to make sure you have not forgotten anything.

When leaving your old address:

• Turn off the gas, water and electricity and take a reading of the meters.
• Check that all doors and windows are closed/locked.
• Hand in your old keys.
• Remove your name from the letter box.
• Inform your neighbours that you are leaving and give them your new address.

When arriving at your new address:

• If you are assisted by a removal company, check that your furniture and other items have not been damaged during transport. In principle, removal companies are insured against these risks
• Do not leave any cardboard packaging of hi-fi systems, computers, etc. in the street.
• Wait for 24 hours before re-connecting your fridge and freezer.
• Take a reading of the water, gas and electricity meters.
• Check that the alarm is working correctly.

After your move:

• Send an address change notice to the sender whenever you receive mail sent to your previous address.
• Go to your new town hall to register with them. Update your various administrative documents.
• If you have a dog or a cat that bears an electronic chip, inform the database relating to animals identified by electronic chip of your change of address.
• Say hello to your new neighbours.
• Be happy!