Moving house generates a mountain of paperwork — and quietly breaks the filing systems that took you years to build. Utilities are in the wrong name, insurance is on the old address, your GP doesn't know you've moved, and somewhere in a box labelled "miscellaneous" is the document you need right now. This checklist covers every document you need to update, transfer, or protect before, during, and after your move.
Before You Move
Legal & Tenancy / Sale Documents
- Sale and purchase agreement — signed copy, keep indefinitely
- Tenancy agreement (new property) — keep for duration of tenancy plus 7 years
- Bond lodgement receipt — Tenancy Services number and amount
- Property inspection report — photograph every room and surface before moving in
- LIM report and title documents (if purchasing)
Notify These Organisations Before You Move
- NZTA — driver's licence address (required by law within 3 months of moving)
- IRD — update your address for tax correspondence
- Electoral Commission — update your electoral roll address
- Work and Income / MSD (if receiving any benefits or NZ Super)
- ACC — if you have any active claims
During the Move
Utilities
- Photograph final meter readings (power, gas, water) at both properties on moving day
- Keep confirmation emails from all utility providers of your account transfer or closure
- Internet provider confirmation of service transfer/installation date
Property Handover
- Signed property inspection report (landlord and tenant both sign)
- Key register — note how many keys exist and who holds each one
- Access codes for security systems, garage doors, or letterboxes
- Body corporate contact details and rules booklet (if applicable)
After You Move — The Critical Updates
This is where most people lose the battle. The move is done, the boxes are (mostly) unpacked, and the address-update task list gets quietly abandoned. These are the ones that cause real problems when ignored:
Financial & Banking
- All bank accounts — update mailing address
- KiwiSaver provider — important for correspondence and annual statements
- Investment accounts and brokerages
- Credit cards and store cards
- Insurance policies — home, contents, vehicle, life (premiums may change with location)
Health
- Register with a new GP (don't wait until you're sick)
- Update your dentist — or find a new one in your new area
- Update your pharmacy if you have repeat prescriptions
- Update children's school health records
Subscriptions and Deliveries
- NZ Post mail redirection (useful for 3–6 months while you update everything else)
- Magazine subscriptions
- Online shopping accounts (Amazon, The Market, TradeMe)
- Loyalty programmes (Flybuys, Airpoints)
Documents to Physically Protect During the Move
Carry these in your personal bag on moving day — never put them in the removalists' truck:
- Passports for every family member
- Birth certificates
- Will and enduring power of attorney
- Title deeds or tenancy agreement
- Insurance policy documents
- Children's health books and immunisation records
The Easier Way to Manage Moving Documents
Moving is one of those moments that exposes every weakness in your document system. If your important papers are in a shoebox or scattered across email folders, a move will almost certainly mean something gets lost or outdated.
Storing your documents digitally in DocStow before you move means your documents are safe regardless of what happens to the boxes. You can update the address details on your digital records without hunting for physical copies, and your whole household has access during the chaos of the move.