Moving house: the complete contracts checklist

D-30: the contract inventory

List every contract tied to your home: electricity, gas, broadband, home insurance, water. Check the notice periods: broadband is the most restrictive contract (up to €49 in cancellation fees, often refunded by the new operator).

D-15: subscribe at the new address

This is the ideal moment to put all your contracts back out to competition: a move is the only time switching requires no extra effort, since you have to subscribe anyway. Electricity and gas must be live on key-handover day. Allow 5 working days for a standard activation (express costs more).

Moving day: the readings

Photograph the meters (old and new home) and submit the readings. The new home's insurance must be effective on day one: the certificate is required at key handover for rentals.

D+7: verify

Check that the old energy contract is properly closed (final bill) and that you are not being charged twice.