Moving Home Checklist

1. Book transport to move your household furniture and other items. In some cases NIHE will offer to organise a van for you but if not you will need to hire one yourself.
2. Prepare for moving, e.g. get some moving boxes (you can buy them or ask local friends/businesses), and start packing.
3. Make sure to leave all items that were in your current home when you arrived, unless you have your landlord’s permission to take anything.
4. Check advised move date with NIHE and aim to minimise crossover on rent being paid on two properties. You will have to pay rent from your tenancy start date in the new house so make sure you do not have to pay two rents.
5. If this is a permanent house move, you may need to use savings if you have any, to purchase white goods, beds, etc. A house grant (NIHE will initiate this process and if eligible, the grant will be paid to you by Bryson Care) is made to eligible families but it takes a few days to come through and can only be paid after you sign the tenancy agreement, (usually the day you move in).

1. You need to provide ID and proof of income to sign your contract. You will receive keys to your new home and should move as soon as possible, ideally on the same day (to ensure you don’t pay any crossover rent)
2. You need to note down any meter readings of your utility meters from your old house so that you are not liable to pay for anything once you moved out (see below re utilities)
3. You need to note down any meter readings of your utility meters from your new house so that you are not liable to pay for anything previous to moving in (see below re utilities)
4. Check with your housing provider how to report housing issues, e.g. NIHE online portal / Fix It. You will normally receive an intro pack/housing card with relevant numbers, information on what is provided etc. If you have not got this, ask for it.

• If you have been on one of the legacy benefits (such as JSA) and not on Universal Credit (UC), a property move may trigger a change to UC:
• If so, apply for online Universal Credit account at Universal Credit online - Universal Credit (universal-credit.service.gov.uk)
• UC can take up to 6 weeks to come through, you can apply for a grant/loan/advance in the  assessment period by:

Option 1: Applying yourself online through

https://apply.financesupport.nidirect.gov.uk/549cf7a1-091e-4248-81f7-7384bc2472b2

Option 2: Phoning Discretionary Support on 0800 587 2750.

Please note that if you are offered a loan rather than grant it will be deducted from your future benefit payments until it is completely

• If you move to UC tax credits are included and not paid separately.
• It is important to keep in touch with all you need to know and send any queries, and respond to anything that is asked of you, through your UC account.
• If your new home is permanent, claim UC housing costs and apply for rates relief separately (if it’s a new build you will need to create an account first and contact Land &Property Services afterwards – see Create or log in to a Rate Rebate account | nidirect)
• If temporary, ask NIHE to complete a change of address form for housing benefit

Children

If children are changing nursery/school:

• Talk to new schools about all that is necessary – what forms do you need to fill in? Can they help with uniform, school meals, transport?
• Check public transport to school through asking the school, or something like google maps.
• Check eligibility for transportation help if required at Education Authority Transport Eligibility Checker (eani.org.uk)

If children are remaining in the current nursery/school(s):

• Check public transport to school(s) through asking the school, or something like google maps (if necessary)

• Update the school(s) with your new address
• Check eligibility for transportation help if required at Education Authority Transport Eligibility Checker (eani.org.uk)

GP/Dentist/Optician

If you decide to change your health providers*:

• Check what local options are available and register with them using their processes - please note every member of the family must register, with process including registration appointments, not just a lead member of the family
• Check public transport to health provider through asking them, or something like google maps (if necessary)

If remaining with your current health provider:

• Check public transport (if necessary)
• Update each health provider with your new address

* There is huge demand and not enough supply for health providers in Northern Ireland. For some, getting registered at a GP / dentist close to the house may not be an option so check before withdrawing registration as you may be better off travelling when needed.

Utilities

• Cancel Electricity account of previous property (you will need to provide the meter reading from your day of moving out) – you may choose to transfer the account if new property is served by current provider and you want to stay with them.
• Cancel Gas account of previous property (if metered, provide reading as above) – you may choose to transfer the account if new property is served by current provider and you want to stay with them.
• Register with Electricity firm – either new or the same, and provide meter reading from your day of moving in
• Register Gas in the same way
• Cancel/move/set up new Wi-Fi
• Change address on Giff Gaff / mobile account
• TV Licence – if you have a license you need to inform them of your change of address through Update your details - TV Licensing ™, or you can get one for your new home through Pay for your TV Licence - TV Licensing ™

Update your address

Update your address at all the organisations who have your details, such as:

• Bank
• Universal Credit/Legacy Benefit
• HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs = the tax office)
• Personal Independence Payment
• Disability Living Allowance
• Carers Allowance
• Healthy Start Vouchers if on UC
• Hospitals (if waiting on appointments/ currently receiving care)
• Any other accounts you have, such as shop loyalty accounts eg. Tesco Clubcard, sports centre cards, church/mosque etc.
• Driving licence/ V5
• Insurance
• If you have applied for a BRP, change the address on the application with the Home Office

You can normally do all of the above online, or you can search for their number and give them a call – make sure you have any reference/account number handy, as well as your security details and mention ‘change of address’ at the start.