Jul
Moving house safely during Covid-19
As you move back home for the summer, or move from one student house/flat to another, it’s important to remember how to stay safe during this process.
Moving out during Covid-19
The UK government have issued advice on moving house, which can be read here: Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus outbreak.
Their advice includes:
- The process of finding and moving into a new home is likely to be different, as those involved in the process will need to adapt practices and procedures to ensure that the risk of spread of coronavirus is reduced as far as possible. This could include virtual viewings, vacating your house or flat whilst others view it, and thoroughly cleaning your house before and after others have viewed it.
- If you plan on using a removal firm, pack your belongings yourself, clean everything before the removal team touch your possessions, ensure all internal doors are open, maintain a distance of 2 metres wherever possible and ensure that everyone has access to hand washing facilities.
- People who have coronavirus or are self-isolating with their family member should not leave their home to either move home, or undertake property viewings. Moving home is not appropriate whilst you pose a direct risk of transmitting coronavirus to anyone else.
- If you are clinically vulnerable or shielding you will need to carefully weigh up the risks involved with moving, and you may want to seek medical advice before doing so.
Checklist for moving out
The Advice Centre have a checklist of things to remember when you’re moving out, and these still apply in the current situation. Make sure you have:
- Created a moving out inventory, including detailed photos.
- Checkd your contract – does your current property need to be professionally cleaned?
- Ensured the property is in the same state now as when you moved in (including the garden).
- Donated or recycled any unwanted items (if possible). If charity shops near to you are closed, many local household recycling centres have an area where you can donate items which are still in a good condition. You can also post items on the SUSU Paperclip swap and sell site.
- Contacted utility companies with final meter readings.
- Got your full deposit back. See our Deposit Guide and How to get Your Deposit Back guide for advice on this.
- Rated your landlord with Marks Out Of Tenancy: www.marksoutoftenancy.com
- Redirected your post and/or notify everyone of your change of address.
- Made sure at least one tenant is present during the final property check from your landlord/agent.
- Made sure the landlord/agent has the correct contact and bank details for getting in touch if there are any problems and so you deposit can be paid back.
If you are moving straight in to a new flat or house, you can also see our checklist for moving in on our housing support page: susu.org/housing.
If you need any support with getting your deposit back or your housing contract, contact The Advice Centre on 023 8059 2085 or via advice@susu.org.
If you’re still looking for a new flat or house, SUSU Lettings have lots of properties available! Get in touch with our team via lettings@soton.ac.uk.
How was your housing experience this year? Whether it was good or bad, cheap or expensive, we want to hear from you! Complete our quick Rate Your Crib survey to be in with a chance of winning one month’s rent – £350!
