Detailed "Preparing to Leave" Checklist

SERVICES

Arrange storage of personal effects with relatives, friends or storage company. Have a boot sale / garage sale to winnow out non-essentials, especially if you have to pay for storage.
Confirm removal date with movers
Advise Electricity Company with a final meter reading
Advise Gas Company with a final meter reading
Advise Water Company (if metered, a reading will suffice)
Advise Telephone Company (BT require 7 days notice)
Advise cable or satellite TV suppliers
Advise TV Licensing authority and claim your refund for any unexpired quarter
Cancel TV rental agreement and arrange collection of set
Cancel milkman/ newsagent/ window cleaner/ house cleaners
Cancel any subscriptions
Pick up dry cleaning
Return video rentals, library books etc

LOCAL AUTHORITY

Advise your local authority and claim your council tax refund
Retain your right to vote in the UK. Complete Overseas Electors declaration form RPF37, obtainable from the Local Authority.

MOTOR VEHICLE

Advise the DVLA and claim unexpired car tax if you sell your car. Complete form V14, obtainable from the Post Office, and forward with your tax disc
Advise automobile associations and renew your international driving licence (valid for one year)
Arrange ‘carnet de passage’ for the bike – check with your local automobile association regarding countries which require the carnet and procedures to obtain.
Prepare the bike for travel

INSURANCE

Advise your insurance broker and/or insurers
Cancel motor insurance, household buildings & contents policies
Request a refund for any unexpired periods
Request No-Claims evidence to present to future insurers
Arrange extended medical insurance to cover your region of travel – check that motorcycling is not an excluded sport or extra cost
Ensure your annual life insurance premiums and personal pension premiums continue to be met

FINANCE

Advise your bank and/or building society re power of attorney / signing authority of relative or trusted friend
Provide credit card companies with a mailing address in your home country. DO NOT tell them you are going to bug off around the world, they’re likely to cancel your credit cards!
Cancel standing orders and direct debits for services to be discontinued
Arrange direct debits for credit cards and any continuing services, loan or mortgage payments
Sign up for Internet banking so you can monitor your accounts while travelling. Also Internet brokerage service for the same reason.
Arrange periodic funds transfers to an account with ATM access from abroad
Advise Post Office e.g. savings accounts
Advise Bonds And Stock Office e.g. Premium Bonds
Settle any outstanding rental or finance agreements
Locate stocks, shares and bond certificates
Arrange settlement of all utilities / services accounts

HOUSE (if owner)

Arrange rental / house-sitting service or sale

LANDLORD (rental accommodation)

Give required notice to quit
Organise garage sale / boot sale

DSS

Advise your local benefit office and arrange for payment of your state pension overseas
Discuss any other benefit entitlement applicable

TAX

Advise the Inland Revenue and/or your accountant
Complete a P85 Income Tax Form "for those leaving the United Kingdom" and forward to the Inland Revenue with your P45
Check your inheritance & capital gains tax position if retaining assets in the UK

LEGAL

Advise your solicitor
Update your Will if retaining property in the UK and ensure that any new Will overseas does not revoke an existing UK Will
Appoint a Power of Attorney in the UK to deal with any ongoing legal or tax issues

EMPLOYER

Obtain your references, P45 (details of employee leaving work) and certificate of any company pension entitlement.

COMPUTER

Back up files prior to packing

BIRTH / MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

Locate birth, marriage, adoption certificates. Copies are available by post from The General Register Office or in person from the Family Records Centre listed in the Services Directory

MAIL REDIRECTION

Instruct the Post Office to redirect your mail. Pick up the appropriate form from your local counter
Use a mailbox service with redirection or holding of mail

MEDICAL

Advise your doctor
Arrange vaccinations a few months in advance so you don’t have to get them all at once. Get Vaccination Certificate
Arrange malaria prophylaxis to be available 2 weeks before entering malarious areas
Obtain medical certificates/ records and any prescriptions required
Advise your dentist
Advise your optician. Get a copy of your glasses or contact lens prescription in case you need to get it refilled.
Advise your chiropractor
Advise your osteopath
Advise your vet

SCHOOLS / CLUBS / SOCIETIES

Advise any clubs or societies to which you belong

FINALISE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Check the validity of passports, visas, consular documents. Renew your passport if it will be expiring within a year. Many countries will not issue visas unless the passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the visa.
Check the validity of residence/ work permits, import permits
Check health requirements at destination
Order foreign currency

FRIENDS AND RELATIVES

Change of address cards
Imminent birthdays, anniversaries
Obtain e-mail addresses