Relocation: A Comprehensive Guide to Storage and Mail Forwarding in London

Relocation can be a daunting task, not only requiring significant time and money but also dealing with the hassle of storing belongings during lease transitions and forwarding mail to the new address.

Storing Belongings Before Relocation

I needed to return home for a few months, which necessitated ending my lease. I searched online for a large, reliable storage company and chose Big Yellow Warehouse based on numerous positive customer reviews. Their warehouses are conveniently located throughout central and western London, making them a practical choice for the city’s expensive transportation costs.

For a one-bedroom apartment move without large furniture, 10-15 square feet of storage space is typically sufficient. I opted for 15 square feet because the price difference between 10 and 15 square feet was minimal, and anything less than 10 square feet would be too cramped. Therefore, 15 square feet seemed like a reasonable starting point.

Online Quotes

You can get instant online quotes and compare costs in different areas. Prices vary by location, with some being cheaper and others more expensive. It's advisable to reserve a storage unit one or two weeks in advance, as popular areas might run out of space. The first two months usually come with special discounts, and you can enjoy a free month if you refer a friend. The total cost includes rental fees and insurance, with rent paid via Direct Debit. On average, my monthly storage expense was around £120 after I returned home.

Regardless of the unit’s proximity to the entrance, each floor has industrial elevators, and staff are available to help choose the most suitable unit. From my observation, many small and medium-sized businesses use these storage units for their online stores, indicating the affordability and quality of the service. Packaging materials and locks are available for purchase at reasonable prices, and all storage access and lease termination procedures can be handled online, making it very convenient.

Document Checklists During Moving

Each move tends to result in misplaced documents or items. During my last move, the agent used Tili's services, and their checklist proved very useful for keeping track of everything.

Forwarding Mail After Moving

Frequent moves make managing mail a significant challenge. When sharing accommodation, it's often not safe to have personal mail delivered to a shared mailbox, especially in areas with high crime rates where mail theft and identity fraud are common.

The two major mailbox companies in the UK charge quite a bit: MyUKPost costs £20 per month plus fees for scanning, receiving, and forwarding mail; UK Postbox has lower monthly fees starting at £0-£6, but higher fees for additional services.

Royal Mail also offers a PO Box service, but it is more expensive, starting at £400 per year.

Bank-related mail is particularly important. Banks do not allow these public addresses as residential addresses (though you can change the correspondence address), and frequent address changes can trigger system alerts.

Thus, Personal Mailbox Services seem to be the most viable option. Mail Boxes ETC is the largest service provider. However, the best solution remains having enough money to rent an entire apartment, avoiding these complications altogether.

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