Moving House Checklist (Singapore): What To Do Before, During & After Your Move

Moving house in Singapore is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming without a clear plan. Whether you are moving into your first BTO flat, upgrading to a resale, or shifting into a condominium, this checklist covers everything you need to do before, during, and after your move. Jump to whichever phase you are at and work through it at your own pace.

1. What To Do Before Your Move

Plan & Book Early

  • Confirm your move-in or key collection date

  • Check your current lease for the required notice period (typically 1 to 2 months for rentals)

  • For HDB resale sellers: confirm your Resale Completion appointment date and whether a Temporary Extension of Stay is needed

  • Book your movers as early as possible. Weekends and school holiday periods fill up fast. Not sure who to go with? This guide to the 10 best house movers in Singapore is a helpful starting point

  • Confirm lift access and loading bay availability at both addresses: especially for condos which require advance booking

  • If you own a car, apply for season parking at your new HDB estate via HDB InfoWEB or the Mobile@HDB app. Lots are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis

 

Declutter & Pack

  • Before you pack a single box, declutter room by room. Keep, Donate/Sell, Dispose

  • List unwanted furniture on apps like Carousell early; bigger items take more time to sell

  • Donate usable items to organisations like the Salvation Army, or via the Carousell app

  • Once you know what you are keeping, start packing non-essentials first: books, décor, seasonal clothes, extra linen, storeroom items

  • Leave essentials for last: daily clothing, toiletries, kitchen items, medications, chargers, electronics, and bedding you are still using

  • Label every box with Room + Contents + Box Number (e.g. "Master Bedroom, Bedsheets, Box 3")

  • Mark fragile boxes clearly on all sides, not just the top

  • Use up or giveaway all groceries from your fridge 24 to 48 hours before your move. Groceries can be given away through the Olio app. Defrost your fridge.

  • Send photos of bulky or fragile items (bed frames, wardrobes, mirrors) to your movers in advance so they come prepared.

 

Sort Out Utilities & Services

  • Set up your SP Services utilities account, required for all homeowners regardless of electricity retailer. Do this online, via the SP Utilities app, or in person at HDB Hub on key collection day.

  • Compare electricity retailers on the EMA Price Comparison Tool before committing to one.

  • Book your broadband installation appointment early. Popular slots go fast. Major providers include Singtel, StarHub, ViewQwest, and MyRepublic.

  • Arrange cancellation or transfer of utilities at your current address.

  • Book a post-renovation cleaning before furniture arrives, if your new place needs it.

 

Home Setup & Bedding

  • Use your floor plan to map out furniture placement before buying anything new. Knowing where your bed, wardrobe, and bedside tables will sit helps you avoid pieces that don't work in the space

  • Order furniture and large appliances early so deliveries can be scheduled around your move-in date

  • Pack an essentials box that travels with you (not on the truck):

    • One complete set of bedsheets, pillowcases, and a light blanket per bedroom. If you're short on time, opt for a bed bundle like the Slumber Bundle from Sunday Bedding, which includes all your sleep essentials in one easy set.

    • Toiletries and a change of clothes for each person

    • Phone chargers and power banks

    • Important documents

    • Basic medication and snacks

    • Toilet paper

 

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2. What To Do On Moving Day

Logistics

  • Before the movers arrive, do a quick check of your new home. Test the light switches, water, toilet flushes, showerheads, fans, aircon units, and check that door locks and keys work properly

  • Report any issues to your HDB portal (BTO/resale), condo management office, or developer/contractor (landed properties)

  • Have one person overseeing loading at the old place, and another overseeing unloading at the new place

  • Photograph your furniture before it's loaded. If anything is damaged in transit, you'll have evidence

  • Direct every box to the correct room as it comes off the truck

  • Check your box inventory as items are unloaded and flag anything damaged or missing on the spot. Matters get much harder to resolve after your movers and packers have left

  • Check that a working smoke detector is present, especially if you are moving into an old resale flat or landed property.

  • Update your home contents insurance (if you have one) to reflect your new address and contents.

  • Unpack your essentials box first

  • Set up at least one bedroom before anything else. After a long day of moving in Singapore's heat, you want a proper bed to come back to

 

What To Do After Your Move

Admin

  • Update your NRIC address. It is legally required to update your NRIC address within 28 days of moving. Do this via the ICA website or at any ICA ServiceCentre. Your CPF address and IRAS address updates automatically once your NRIC is updated with ICA.

  • Then update: all banks and credit cards, insurance policies (home, life, health, car), employer HR records, kids' school and school bus operator.

  • Update online accounts: Shopee, Lazada, Amazon, and any subscription services

  • Confirm your new broadband is active and running well

  • Cancel any services still tied to your old address

 

Settling In

  • Unpack room by room: bedroom and kitchen first, living areas second, storeroom last

  • Moving house is a natural time to refresh your bedroom setup. Order new bedding to match your new home’s interior decorations. Sunday Bedding offers high quality, minimalist bedding that ships across Singapore.

  • After your first week, do a "what's missing" audit before your first homeware shopping trip. You will have a much clearer picture of what you actually need

  • Meet your neighbours. A small gesture on moving day goes a long way in HDB estates

  • Plan your housewarming. Most Singaporeans do it within 1 to 3 months of moving in. Want to make sure you receive gifts you actually need? Browse this list of useful housewarming gifts and let your guests know what you want.

 

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Moving house is one of the bigger life events you'll go through. But with the right prep work, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Work through this checklist at your own pace, sort your new bedroom early, and give yourself permission to take the rest one room at a time. You'll be settled before you know it.

Setting up your new bedroom? Sunday Bedding ships across Singapore with next-day delivery.