Property Insights: Downsizing to a Flat

At some point in our lives, some of us may need to relocate from a larger house to a smaller flat or apartment. This could be for a range of reasons, whether these are financial, the need for a change of scenery or moving to the city, for example, to ease your commute.

Whatever the reason, we all know that majority of houses are larger than flats, therefore causing us to have a large amount of stuff, to move when the time to downsize comes.

So if you’re making the move from a house to a flat, here are AnyVan’s top tips on how to best tackle the process.

Have a clear out

After living in a house for an extended period of time you may have amassed quite the collection of belongings. The reason being, you had enough space. This is unlikely to be the case when you move to a flat, therefore, it would be wise to have a good old fashioned clear out.
Go through everything you have from clothes, to kitchen utensils and get rid of anything you haven’t used in a while/don’t need. Consider selling some on eBay, you may be able to generate a healthy profit.

Planning and Prep

When it comes to any type of move, planning and preparation can often be the difference between an easy move and a stressful one. Make things easy for yourself by making a packing checklist, listing what needs to be done and when. Additionally, sort things like your removal company at the earliest possible opportunity, so they’re firmly out of the way.

Furniture/Measurements

When relocating to a flat, you may find that measurements take up more importance. You’ll need to measure your furniture to make sure it fits in the rooms in your new home – both in terms of during your move, and for once they’re set down.

Storage

After you’ve had your clear out and decided what you’re taking with you, you may find that you don’t have room for certain belongings, either due to space or size. If you’re only moving into your flat temporarily, you may want to consider putting some of your items into storage, as opposed to getting rid of them completely.

Lifts and stairs

It’s important to consider how some of your larger belongings are going to get to your flat. For example, will the sofa fit in the lift, or will it need to be carried up the stairs? You may find that you have to dismantle and rebuild quite a few items.
It’s important that you inform your removal company of any such requirements, as this can affect aspects such as how many men they’ll need and the quote.

Removal Options

Depending on where you’re moving from and how much stuff you have, you may only require a certain type of house removals company. For example, if you’re moving out of your parents’ house into your first home, you may find that you only need a man with a van. On the other hand, if you’re moving the contents of a whole 5-bedroom house you may find that you need professional removals company.

Things to buy

If you’re moving into a fully furnished flat, chances are, you won’t need to buy anything new. However, if it’s unfurnished, this is a different case. Although you’ll be bringing belongings from your previous property, there may be a thing or two you need to buy. For this reason, you should set some of your moving budget aside, just in case.

Moving in with a flat mate

If you’re moving into a flat with someone, it will benefit both of you to discuss who’s bringing what. This will prevent you from having duplicate items, which could take up space you don’t have. This often occurs with electronics and kitchen utensils.

Pets

Having pets can complicate any move, and this is especially the case during a flat move. During a house move, you may be able to put them in the garden, so they are out of the way, but in a flat you don’t have this option. You should consider leaving pets with friends or family if possible.

Children

For children moving can be an especially stressful experience. To help make the flat move smoother, there are a number of things you can do, including games and getting them involved with packing.

Help

Despite having a removals company on hand to help, you may find that having a friend or two mucking in could make things even smoother, especially when it comes to unpacking and getting settled in.