Leaving Belgium

Your Checklist:

Book your moving company as far in advance as possible and confirm in writing.
Check your animals' passports and other documents are up-to-date well in advance.
Prepare a clear inventory of your possessions, clearly noting the items to be handled by the movers, items to be handled by yourself and items going to different locations. You can use this list to help value your possessions for the insurance later.
Get rid of all that unwanted clutter.
Contact medical services to see if you can have copies of your medical records.
Contact the children's schools.
Start to make arrangements for selling your car.
Write a list of people, organisations and companies you will need to inform of your new address and start the letters where appropriate or order pre-printed cards.
If you plan to pack or part-pack yourself, start collecting suitable containers and packing materials. Packing materials are available from us should you need them.
If not returning to the U.K., arrange health insurance for your new location.
If not returning to the U.K., contact a relocation specialist in your new country who can help you with schools, finding accommodation, possibly a look-see and red tape.
Inform your landlord.

Register your children in their new schools in the U.K.
Start the deregistration process at your town hall.
Cancel your Internet connection. You may be able to arrange email forwarding.
Arrange for the utilities to be disconnected and the meters read as well as connection in your new home.
Fill out a postal 'Change of Address' form (obtainable from the Post Office).
Inform your insurance company.
Look into insurance cover for your possessions at you new address.
Put all your important documents such as stock certificates and passports in a safe place where they will not get packed.

Cancel any local deliveries, for example with your newsagent.
If you are packing yourself, start packing items you don't use often, not forgetting the garage and loft.
Check if your car needs a service during the next weeks, especially if travelling far.
Agree hand-over arrangements with your landlord.

Be sure to make a contingency plan should you be unable to access your new home for some unforeseen reason. This very rarely happens and is usually down to not being able to get the keys. Pack an overnight bag just in case.
Arrange for pets and children to stay with friends or relatives while the move is taking place. They can become very upset with all the disruption caused by the move. Cats in particular can be greatly distressed and may need a sedative which you can obtain from your veterinary surgery. Similarly, try to arrange for help with children and pets in your new home. You might even consider boarding pets overnight at a local kennel until you're settled.
Our removal team needs clear access to the doorway of your home. Notify neighbours so that parked vehicles can be moved just before our team arrives. Passageways or staircases should be left clear to minimise the possibility of accidents.
Make sure you've collected the dry cleaning and shoes from the menders!

If packing yourself finish packing everything except non-essential items. Leave just enough things in the kitchen for making breakfast.
Check you have enough tea and biscuits for the British removal men!

Put your bedding and other items that you need straight away in a box marked "Load Last".
Pack breakfast items remembering to leave the kettle and some cups with tea, sugar, milk and biscuits to hand. A nice cuppa will be greatly appreciated!
Complete the hand-over with your landlord.
Make sure you have your team leader's mobile number before leaving.

It is highly likely you will arrive at your new home before our team so don't worry if we're not there when you arrive. You can always contact the team leader on his mobile.
Allow all electrical equipment, including computers, to slowly reach room temperature before switching them on. Condensation can cause damage. Fridges and freezers may need longer for gases to settle.