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Using a removal hoist when moving home in London

Moving home is stressful. Using a removal hoist when moving home in London can be more efficient and save a lot of hassle. In areas such as Chelsea, Kensington and Central London using a removal hoist makes a lot of sense when Georgian period homes have sash windows that can either be removed or are large enough to allow access. What might also involve a long day with a lot of labour can be done in a few hours.

Are hoists expensive?

Hoists will cost several hundred pounds and minimum hire period. This can appear a bit daunting, but when you compare the like for like with labour it can actually be less.

There are also several different size hoists depending on the load you need and also the height of your property.

Do you need a permit?

In some councils yes, you will need a permit as you will either need to reserve the bays outside the property or in some cases position on the footpath. This isn’t an issue though as we can sort the permits if required.

For more information about moving with a hoist, please get in touch with us on 020 8877 9682*.

Watch a removal hoist in action

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Moving home safely during Coronavirus

Moving home can be a stressful process at the best of time with not least the added complexities of moving home safely during the coronavirus pandemic. The good news is that we now have a lot of experience with this and it’s actually a very safe process.

Planning your move

The first step when choosing a removal company is to get some quotes. Traditionally a surveyor would visit your home, but many companies now offer a video service. This is something that Kiwi Movers has been doing for sometime and is fast becoming the preferred option of our clients. It is convenient and can be a little less intrusive than having lots of people come to your home if you are getting multiple quotes. The video quote is surprisingly accurate and if there is any doubt a surveyor can always do an onsite visit at a later date.

Once you have selected your removal company you will just need to make the normal preparations you would for any move. Get everything packed up, get rid of any unwanted items and arrange all the services. For more information about preparing for your move check out our handy FAQ section.

Moving Day

The main consideration for moving home safely during coronavirus is practising social distancing where possible. On your moving day this won’t always be easym, but maintaining a 1m distance should be possible. Our team do not wear masks when moving for the simple reason is it restricts breathing when working hard. Our team will keep a safe social distance though and work in pairs to form a bubble. At the start of each day they also use a temperature scan and having hand wash and paper towels in their trucks. Going to and from work we have limited the use of public transport by using private vehicles or biking.

If you are shielding or do have an underlying condition that may may you susceptible to coronavirus then we recommend following the relevant government advice. You don’t necessarily have to be present during the move. You could also wait a period of time to enter your new home or touch the boxes etc.

Ultimately we have found applying good old common sense ensures peace of mind and moving home can be done safely.

For more information, please feel free to contact us

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We are hiring: Office Manager (with sales)

The Role:

You will be responsible for taking inbound phone sales, invoicing, client management and liaising with sales/operations in a office team of 4 to 5 individuals. You will report to the General Manager. You will be paid a basic salary + commission and eligible for the weekly bonus system. OTE £30k.

Whilst prior experience in office administration or sales is desirable, full training will be provided. The successful candidate must be motivated, solution orientated and a real people person.

Your hours will be Monday to Friday 0830 – 1730h, but where required you will be expected to work later during busy periods (summer is the busiest period). You will work one Saturday morning per month which will be compensated with a half day off the following week.

The ideal candidate is someone who wants to be challenged, learn new skills and to develop as an individual.

Must Have Skills:

  • Visa to work in the UK or EU/UK Passport.
  • Excellent communication skills (verbally and written)
  • Commercial experience is desirable (any size business, small or large)
  • Sales experience is desirable as you will be dealing with new & prospective clients over the phone. (inbound sales only)
  • Ability to work under pressure and problem solve, independently and unsupervised (the role will require you to work outside normal working hours during busy periods).
  • The ability to multi-task & have a sense of humour
  • Ability to think outside the box
  • Good time management and the ability to prioritise tasks
  • Previous leadership roles is desirable (management or sporting)

The Company:

Kiwi Movers is a dynamic company that specialises in removals, storage, shipping and logistics. Kiwi is a growing company whose staff are from diverse backgrounds with a company culture that is based on trust and a ‘can do’ spirit within a fun and challenging work envrionment.

We are proud that our staff really enjoy their jobs and often develop friendships for life.

Benefits:

  • Bonus scheme
  • Company pension
  • Private medical/dental insurance
  • Casual dress

Application deadline: 31/05/2020

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How Kiwi Movers’ cleaning service can protect you from Coronavirus

Currently, the world is gripped by the spread of COVID-19, better known as Coronavirus, a potentially fatal illness that can affect your lungs and airways.

With every passing day, it feels like the global pandemic hits new heights. As the number of cases (and fatalities) continues to rapidly rise — now surpassing 345,000 confirmed cases and 14,000 deaths worldwide — we’re witnessing several countries enter full lockdown mode, entire populations being urged to quarantine/self-isolate and socially distance themselves, schools and businesses being forced to temporarily close down, major sporting events being postponed and supermarket shelves being depleted.

In the UK, there have been over 8,000 confirmed Coronavirus cases and more than 400 deaths, according to the latest reports.  While these figures are less than those in countries like Italy, China and the United States, the Government has been forced to implement strict social distancing measures in an attempt to “flatten the curve.” With the highest number of cases of any region in the UK, London is a particular cause of concern.

How can you prevent the spread of Coronavirus?

There are preventative measures you can take, as an individual, to help combat the spread of Coronavirus and keep yourself safe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises you to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently; cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze; and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

While this is excellent advice for when you’re out and about, it’s also important to keep your home or office safe from the spread of Coronavirus. Just think how easy it is to carry germs inside without realising it, especially if you live in a busy city like London. So, how can you help to safeguard your home or place of work from Coronavirus? Through cleaning.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials.” Therefore, “cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.”

Coronavirus-free cleaning service

If you live in London and are looking for a professional cleaning service to protect your home, office or place of work from Coronavirus, look no further than Kiwi Movers. Our cleaning service provides deep cleans to disinfect your building from top to bottom. We can also clean areas infected or possibly infected by COVID-19, safely and effectively.

Responsive, reliable and reasonably-priced, our cleaning service is available throughout London.

To safeguard your home or office from the spread of Coronavirus, get in touch with our friendly team on 020 8877 9682* or at [email protected]. Or you can get a free, no-obligation quote by filling out our enquiry form.

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Kiwi Movers teams up with Please Connect Me for easy utility connections when you move home or business

Kiwi Movers already offers an extensive range of extra services when you move house, from disassembling wardrobes to deep cleaning. We’re now delighted to reveal that we’ve made it even easier to move to a new pad. It’s all thanks to the super helpful service from Please Connect Me.

We’ve teamed up with this time-saving utility connection service to help our home and business movers connect all of their essential services quickly. Please Connect Me hooks you up with everything from energy, internet and TV to water, council tax and many more. This means that your new property is up and running, and ready to live in or use, right away.

Why Kiwi Movers + Please Connect Me is a real game-changer

If you’re one of those people who love to be organised and who love their lists, you’ll find Please Connect Me a dream to use. It’s the ideal way to plan another part of your move in advance. Book in your Kiwi Movers crew for moving day, then use Please Connect Me to get your gas, electricity, water and more up and running from the moment you move in.

As well as being able to arrange it in advance, the service also offers these other tempting benefits:

  • Take advantage of the best deals. If finding the very best deals and prices for energy, water, TV, broadband and more is important to you, Please Connect Me won’t disappoint. They save you time and money searching the market, comparing prices and finding the best deals. They work with leading suppliers and have immediate access to prices, promotions and availability.

 

  • It can all be customised to suit you. The people at Please Connect Me care about finding the right options to suit you, and it isn’t always about finding the lowest price. They take the time to understand what you need and put together a bespoke solution to suit you.

 

  • You can get everything sorted in one phone call. Rather than ringing round lots of different suppliers, having to repeat your details several times, you can get it all sorted in one phone call with a real person. They don’t believe in answer machines or subjecting you to horrible hold music – just real people ready to help right away.

 

Kiwi Movers Please Connect Me

More about Please Connect Me

Working with Please Connect Me is a natural fit for us. For starters, we both originated back in New Zealand before expanding our brilliant services to home and business owners here in the UK. We’re also passionate about making moving easier. It doesn’t need to be stressful, back breaking or hugely disruptive. Services such as Please Connect Me are revolutionising moving house, making it as easy as possible to move into a new place and be comfortable right away.

Have questions about Please Connect Me? Drop us a line at 020 8877 9682*. You can also start using Please Connect Me right away, booking in your connections through this easy link.  

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How to reduce the stress from your next house move

Moving house in London can be a challenge, with everything from traffic and parking to narrow hallways and steep staircases to battle with. The good news is that there are loads of ways you can de-stress the experience. You’ll need to be a whizz at planning, seek the right help and be ready to react to unexpected obstacles.

Moving house in West London? 020 366 89726 for a quick quote

Here’s our guide to moving house in London without having to take a month-long holiday to recover:

1. You can’t always do it on your own – so use professional movers

Of course we would have this as our number one tip, but it is an important thing to consider. Would you rather save money and have one of the most stressful, back-breaking days of your life, or spend a little more and take a huge load of hassle off your plate? It’s up to you, but most people find that moving house alone is a mistake. You could also risk hurting yourself, and that’s not worth doing for the sake of a few pounds.

Kiwi Movers offers a range of options to suit your needs and budget. You can book in a full team to handle packing, moving and unloading for you, or simply a man and van service. The latter gives you both a vehicle and an extra (fully trained) pair of hands for short moves or if you don’t have much stuff.

2. Pack and prepare like a pro

When it comes to moving house in London, preparation is key. Lists are your new best friends, helping you to organise and plan your move down to the last detail. Make yourself a to-do list and an inventory of what’s in every box. Pack carefully but logically, sorting your boxes by room so it’s easy to unpack at the other side.

Kiwi Movers 1

3. Have a massive clearout before you move

Do you know what makes moving house easier? Having less stuff to move! Be ruthless and sell, give away or bin anything you haven’t used in the last year or so. You may even be able to raise some extra cash – which you can spend on a moving crew!

4. Have a clear plan for moving day

Moving day will sneak up on you and once it’s here, it’ll pass in a blur. Things move fast, so you’ll need to be on hand to direct and manage the move. Come up with a plan for the day, or work with your moving company to draw something up.

5. Ask loads of questions before the move

Will your movers disassemble and reassemble furniture, and disconnect appliances? Can they move your piano down from the top floor? Will they help you unpack and place furniture on the other side? How should you best pack your boxes for an efficient (and breakage-free) move? These are all questions you should ask your removals company. The answers can help you prepare and set your mind at ease ahead of the big day.

6. Choose the right day

Weekends may be most convenient for you, but they can also be more expensive if you’re using a removals firm. You’ll find cheaper rates during the week, but make sure you avoid rush hour and other busy times for traffic.

Kiwi Movers specialises in stress-free moves. If you’re moving house in London, you can trust our team to handle every detail – including the heavy lifting. Give us a call on 020 8877 9682* to get a quick quote for your move.

 

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Why London Movers are at highest risk of renting from dodgy landlords

Despite having to pay for the privilege of having a background check conducted on themselves, most renters don’t perform the same due diligence on their potential landlord, leaving them at risk of renting from dodgy or criminal landlords, according to brand new Kiwi Movers research. In fact, just of 8% of renters in the capital do any sort of background check and half say they’d take what they got. Our research also found that more than a third of renters would favour a landlady over a landlord, with 44% of women saying they’d prefer to rent from another female.

What else did our London movers study find?

  • Only 20% of UK renters do any sort of check on their landlord before agreeing a tenancy.

 

  • Figure drops to just 8% for London with almost half of renters in the capital willing to ‘take what they can get’.*

 

  • More than a quarter of renters would prefer to rent from a female.

 

  • 44% of women would prefer to rent from another woman.

 

  • 1 in 5 believe renting from an agency meant they didn’t need to worry about landlord credentials or history.

 

  • 18% of those who did find useful negative information on a landlord say it affected their decision to rent from that person.

 

  • Renters in Liverpool most likely to check out a landlord online before renting.

 

Just 8% of London residents do any kind of background check on their landlord, 62% below the national average of 20%. London residents are also the least likely to act on information about a potential landlord, with fewer than half (44%) of them saying negative the information had influenced a housing decision. In other words, the need to secure a property was greater than their need to rent with confidence.

Renters in Liverpool are most likely to carry out background checks on their landlord. A third of the city’s residents say they’ve performed a background check on a landlord before agreeing to move into a property.

Dan Wilson Craw, Policy Manager, Generation Rent says:

“Anyone with a spare room or flat can let it out with no checks involved, so there is an unknown number of dodgy landlords out there. For the tenant, there is no way of finding out what their prospective landlord is like beyond a Google search, and even then it might be too late to back out of a contract without forfeiting fees. This is why we need to open up the list of convicted landlords for tenants to access, and, better yet, introduce a system of licensing.”

A separate study, conducted in March 2019 by London property maintenance firm Aspect found that more than half (53%) of London’s renters have experienced injuries and health problems from poorly maintained rental property. Aspect operations director Nick Bizley said ““Our tradespeople regularly see and report examples of corner-cutting on maintenance, especially where properties have been converted into homes of multiple occupancy, such as a large houses converted into flats, but also at the higher end of the property market too.”

Landlords vs Landladies

Almost half of female renters would prefer a female landlord.

More than a quarter (29%) of tenants surveyed said that if they had the choice, they’d prefer to rent from a woman and that the sex of their landlord would influence whether they rented a specific property. For women, that figure increased to 44%.

Men were less picky, with just a quarter saying the gender of the homeowner would influence their decision to rent a property. Of those expressing a gender preference, more than half (52% would prefer a female).

Cities with renters most likely to check out a potential landlord

 

City % of renters who have checked out a landlord before renting (national average – 20%)
Liverpool 33.30%
Swansea 31.63%
Southampton 26.83%
Leicester 24.33%
Glasgow 24.07%
Sheffield 23.37%
Brighton and Hove 23.30%
Cardiff 23.00%
Portsmouth 21.73%
Birmingham 21.00%

 

 

Billie Gianfrancesco a PR manager for YOPA, a fixed rate estate agency, has been renting in London since 2008 and is on her fifth rental property.

“In my experience, female landlords tend to work more closely with property managers or put a system in place whereby tenants can resolve any issues quickly without needing to bother or chase them.

I’ve found that male landlords prefer to try and resolve the issue themselves first. This often means repeat visits in person, which makes any tenant nervous, and a greater recurrence of botched DIY repairs. In one situation an upstairs bath was leaking, and our male landlord visited four times attempting to fix the issue himself. Because of this, the problem wasn’t resolved for over a month. I faced a similar issue a couple of years later with a female landlord – she called in a professional and the issue was resolved within a week

As a female tenant, I also prefer to deal with a female landlady as in my personal experience, I have at times felt intimidated by male landlords. This is particularly true when dealing with the inventory check out and deposit negotiations at the end of a tenancy.

I have in the past felt patronised by certain male landlords quoting ridiculous prices for repairs (for example £768 to replace a chipped slate tile on an outdoor porch, and £1,020 to replace a 20 year old alarm system with a brand new one, when multiple technicians had confirmed it was broken due to age) and as recently as this year, I was threatened by a male landlord for disagreeing with his deposit deduction demands above. I’ve never had this experience with a female landlord!

I’ve also had a great male landlord. It’s just that if I had a preference it would be a female.

Regan McMillan, boss of Kiwi Movers, believes the rental market is so cut-throat that tenants are putting themselves in the hands of potentially dodgy landlords, just to secure a property:

“As a London removal firm we see the sharp end of the rental market. We get to meet and speak to a lot of people who, quite frankly, are at the mercy of the highly competitive rental market. Rental properties are snapped up in a flash and most people know that if they want to secure a place to live, they need to act quick. This means they simply don’t have time to check out a landlord and even if they did, I think a lot of them would take the risk just to get a place to live.

“The problem is less pronounced outside of the capital, but it’s still a sad state of affairs for renters all over the UK. That only 20% of renters nationally are checking out their landlord before renting is hugely concerning. As a nation, we probably take more care when buying a car than we do when choosing a person from whom to rent a home.”

 

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Bored of the London commute? There’s an app for that

It might be one of the most exciting and innovative cities in the world. But London has earned a certain reputation for its commuting lifestyle, and for good reason too. The number of daily commuters travelling 2 hours or more has rocketed 20% in the last 5 years.

That’s over 900,000 London commuters every year. Not to mention it’s expected to rise in the next decade too.

So what can you do to make this journey a bit more enjoyable?

 

Mindfulness Daily

4.5/5.0

Okay, so the tube is rammed. You have a busy day ahead. And the guy behind you is standing so close you now know the entire back catalogue to Snow Patrol (we feel your pain).

Don’t worry, though. There’s a nice little solution directly accessible from your smartphone.

Mindfulness Daily is designed to help make stressful situations – whether it’s the morning commute or a big stakeholder meeting – easier to handle as time goes on. There’s breathing exercises, meditation guidance videos, and even TED talks.

London commute 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s more, you can actually track your progress over time and focus on particular goals to suit you: like being more patient, kind or just finding time to relax.

You can even set push notifications at particular times during the day so you don’t forget.

How useful is that?

 

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History

4.0/5.0

There’s a special place in our hearts for this epic podcast. Filled with fascinating tidbits, dramatic anecdotes, and a sweeping narrative that spans from Alexander to Churchill, Hardcore History isn’t for the faint hearted.

But don’t let that put you off. Carlin is down-to-earth and has a genuine love for this podcast, even if the topics are a bit gruelling at times (think the assassination of Caesar or the murderous court dramas of Ancient Persia).

What does this have to do with your London commute, you may ask?

This is fantastic storytelling and makes even the longest journey more enjoyable. The episodes tend to last between 3-4 hours too, so you can block them out and dive in at your leisure.

The only downside to this wonderful podcast, however, is that you’ll have to wait a couple of months between each new episode. There’s quite a bit of research involved, as he likes to remind us:

Screen Shot 2016-12-01 at 13.27.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s difficult to be annoyed though.

Duolingo

5.0/5.0

Fancy learning a new language on your journey?

Duolingo is one of the world’s most popular tools for learning a new language quickly and with all the conversational skills that you didn’t really learn at school.

London commute

As you can probably tell, this app is a champion of gamification and has lots of different levels to work you up to fluency. You can even use Duolingo just to brush up on your skills.

We reckon if you spend around 10-20 minutes on this every day, you’d be prepared for your next summer holiday in no time.

Do you have any more tips on how to improve your London commute? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter.

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Rising Stars – November

In this new monthly post, we highlight our Rising Star of the month, highlighting a little bit more about some of the awesome people that work at Kiwi Movers and what makes us a great London moving company.

 

Adrian Cook – Team Leader

 

1. Where are you from?

Born in Palmerston North but live in the Waikato’s in a little country town called Te Aroha

2. How long have you been with Kiwi?

Since February 28/2/16 2years 8 months

3. Your background (training, previous jobs)

Farmer from NZ of 15years

4. Your role?

Senior Team Leader aka formy or foreman

5. What you enjoy about the job?

Mixing and working with the boys and meeting new clients

6. Best moment/memory on the with Kiwi?

Moving Kit Harrington ( Jon Snow from Game of Thrones)

7. Most challenging situation and how you overcame it?

Getting a sofa in a house hoisting it up and over a balcony and the look on the clients face when we get it in the house safely

 

 

 

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Rising Stars – October

In this new monthly post, we highlight our Rising Star of the month, highlighting a little bit more about some of the awesome people that work at Kiwi Movers and what makes us a great London moving company.

 

Thomas Aires – Operations Manager

 

1. Where are you from?

Havelock North, Hawkes Bay and Wellington more recently.

2. How long have you been with Kiwi?

This December will be 2 years

3. Your background (training, previous jobs)

I have a BA in International Relations and Criminology as well as management experience in a number of bars and pubs. I have also contracted to the NZ Police previously.

4. Your role?

As the Operations Manager, I am responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of our operation, from basic truck maintenance and repairs to inducting and training new staff, through to responding to the day to day incidents that arise.

5. What you enjoy about the job?

Dealing with a variety of personalities, whether it be clients, suppliers or staff. I enjoy the interactions with people from all different backgrounds and the challenges this sometimes brings.

6. Best moment/memory on the with Kiwi?

Too many to choose from, delivering to parts of the UK I would never normally get to see as well as meeting some really interesting people along the way

7. Most challenging situation and how you overcame it?

Breakdowns are the most challenging situations to deal with. While rare, they require creative and reactive thinking to organise recovery and minimise delays and costs.

 

 

 

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London removal company research – the UK is friendlier, funnier and sunnier than expats expected

As a London removals company, we often hear what new arrivals make of life in the UK. We also hear a lot from people moving back home after living here for a while. It’s really interesting to find out what people’s expectations were before they got here.

To get a more scientific understanding, we polled more than 500 people to get their opinions on life in the UK and how it compares to what they were expecting before they came.

On the whole, almost half said life in the UK was better than expected, 15% said it was as expected and 37% said it was worse than expected with the weather, the nightlife and friendly locals most impressing new arrivals.

Better than expected

57% of respondents said the UK weather was better than expected, although this year’s summer heatwave may have something to do with the generally positive perceptions.

More than three quarters said the nightlife and entertainment was better than expected.

The people of the UK appear to have made a good impression too. The UK’s work ethic, sense of humour and attractiveness were all rated as better than expected.

But it was the UK’s friendliness that really impressed, with 92% saying the UK was friendlier than expected.

Worse than expected

It wasn’t all positive though. 57% said the food was ‘as expected’ and 28% said it was worse than expected. The UK’s culinary offerings exceed expectations for just 15%.

Public transport was the biggest disappointment for new arrivals. 74% said it was worse than expected, 16% said it was as expected and 10% said it was better than expected.

Regan McMillan, director of Kiwi Movers who moved to the UK from New Zealand in 2007, says:

“The UK should be proud at just how much it exceeds expectations. There’s a reason people leave behind great places like New Zealand, Australia and America to experience UK life. We help a lot of people from New Zealand and Australia move back home after staying in the UK and the vast majority tell us they’re sad to leave.”

Although McMillan warned that the study shouldn’t be taken to reflect the views of everyone who moves to the UK.

“The majority of those who took part in the survey came to the UK from English-speaking countries, like New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the States. They have the advantage of shared culture, common language and large expat communities that act as an important support network.”

Full study results

Worse than expected As expected Better than expected
Cost of living 59.69% 2.11% 38.20%
Weather 38.39% 4.61% 57.01%
Food 27.83% 57.39% 14.78%
Nightlife/entertainment 19.96% 3.65% 76.39%
Public transport 73.90% 15.93% 10.17%
Attractive 31.48% 29.75% 38.77%
Hard-working 40.50% 9.21% 50.29%
Friendliness 2.30% 5.37% 92.32%
Sense of humour 38.39% 17.08% 44.53%
Intelligence 33.40% 9.21% 57.39%

 

About the study

 

Between the dates of September 22nd and September 24th, we polled 521 adults who moved to the UK in the past five years, some of whom have since moved away from the UK. Nationalities polled were; Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States of America, Canada, Spain, Zimbabwe, France, Sweden, China, India, Pakistan, Poland, Czech Republic.

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Rising Stars – September

In this new monthly post, we highlight our Rising Star of the month, highlighting a little bit more about some of the awesome people that work at Kiwi Movers and what makes us a great London moving company.

Moving company London

Sam Goodwin – Team Leader

 

1. Where are you from?

The Waikato Region, NZ

2. How long have you been with Kiwi?

Since March 2015

3. Your background (training, previous jobs)

Back in NZ I was mainly at a dairy factory, along with dipping in and out of the music industry.

4. Your role?

Senior Team Leader, however when the crew gets together and the days mahi (diffciult) everyone’s ideas and inputs are taken on board.

5. What you enjoy about the job?

We’re here for travel, and to explore the lands of Europe and the U.K, so any job for Kiwi that takes you out of London are always enjoyable. Margate to Cornwall, Brighton to Manchester. We are lucky enough to get around a lot!

6. Best moment/memory on the with Kiwi?

Not sure if I can throw names out there but I’ve been lucky enough to help move a couple of idols and become (temporary) friends with them haha.

Again with the travel thing, seeing the English coast and small country villages are always memorable!

7. Most challenging situation and how you overcame it?

Driving past all the amazing coffee shops London has on offer.. and over coming it by leaving my card at home!

 

 

 

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Moving out of London – why are people leaving and where are they going?

In the middle of 2016, the number of people moving out of London hit a five-year high. According to figures analysed by the Guardian, around 292,000 people left the capital from mid-2015 to mid-2016. After migration into London has been taken into account, this leaves the net figure of London leavers at a substantial 93,300 people. This is reportedly 80% higher than it was just five years ago.

 

moving house quote banner

Why are people moving out of London?

Property prices

It will come as no surprise to anyone that property prices are at the very top of the list when it comes to reasons why people are leaving London. For many people, the housing market in the capital is simply unaffordable. The average house costs more than double that of the rest of the UK, coming in at a whopping £482,000 compared to the national average of £223,000.

Space and money to start a family

Although this reason for moving out of London goes hand-in-hand with property prices, it seems that many young Londoners simply don’t have the space to start a family. Many couples can only afford tiny apartments, with rent and purchase prices two and three-bedroom properties being astronomical. If couples want to start a family and not end up on top of each of other in a one-bed flat, the only option is to move out of the city.

One London leaver who is now living in Devon summed up the situation for young families facing not only high rents but also eye-watering costs in relation to childcare and other expenses. The anonymous 31-year-old was quoted in the Guardian:

“Reluctantly, I am now working from home in Devon after some very happy years in London. I am hoping to start a family and was worried about affording rent and childcare on one salary in London.

“But starting a family is incompatible with London life. I can afford a four-bedroom house with a garden in a safe area here for the price of a one-bed flat in London.”

Quality of life

While many Londoners simply couldn’t do without the rich culture, diversity and sheer buzz of the city, it isn’t for everyone. Many people move to the city for career opportunities or study, but find that they miss the green open countryside or the seaside. For others, the enormous size of the city is a challenge, with it sometimes taking a long time to get anywhere even with such an impressive network of public transport. Crowded commutes, expensive prices and for some – the isolating, impersonal side of living in such a large, highly populated area – can be a turn-off.

London.underground.arp .750pix

Where are they moving to?

According to statistics gathered by Barratt Homes, the most popular UK hotspots for displaced Londoners over the last couple of years were:

  • Dartford – 4,260 people moved there from London in the year up to the middle of 2016
  • Brighton and Birmingham – attracting a combined total of 12,100 movers
  • Bristol – 4,210 movers in 2016
  • Manchester – 4,150 people moved out of London to the Northern city in 2016.

 

Other destinations for ‘DFLs’ (people moving ‘Down from London’) include Whitstable and Herne Bay, Canterbury, Hastings, Exeter and Southend in Essex. In some of these places the influx of movers from London has caused a degree of social tension. Locals are concerned about gentrification and house prices rising to London levels, fears which in some popular places have proved to be accurate.

The research from Barratt Homes found that most people making the decision to up sticks and leave didn’t actually go very far. Most head to the home counties, in areas surrounding the capital where they can still commute into work.

Other data from Savills estate agent used records from the Land Registry and the Office for National Statistics. This research looked at house moves among particular age groups from specific London boroughs. For example:

  • People over 25 years old living in Islington were most likely to move to St Albans, Hertfordshire. This move is likely to be driven by house prices, as the average home in St Albans is around £173,000 cheaper than in Islington.
  • One of the most popular moves among people from the West London borough of Ealing was to Slough, where homes cost an average of £241,000. This is an enormous saving, so it’s understandable to see many couples and young families choosing to move.

 

In nearly all cases, people moving out of London seem to be motivated by house prices. The Savills research found that the average house price for Londoners included in the study was around £580,000. Their new homes came in at the considerably lower average price of just £330,000.

Renters are on the move too

London residents who rent their homes are also suffering from increasing costs, with rents in the capital rising by a third in the last ten years. For comparison, rent increases within the same period were 18% over in the south-west of the country and just 11% in the north-west.

Young people are moving in

It’s not all bad news for London though, as young people are still attracted to the city in similar numbers as previous years. The research suggests that people in their twenties are the only age group not to be affected by what has been described as ‘the great London exodus’.

In all other age groups are showing a trend for moving out of London, a trend that seems to start the moment people hit their thirties. It seems that young people are still drawn to study and job opportunities in the capital. However, when the time comes to get on the property ladder or start a family, the finances simply don’t stack up.

Remember, if you’re on the move – we can help. Whether you’re moving within London or have made the decision to leave the city, call Kiwi Movers on 020 366 89726 for a quick quote. We offer a full removals service as well as man and van, all designed to make moving easy, stress-free and affordable.

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Furniture movers in London – when to hire a specialist

Everyone thinks that moving house is easy, until they’ve actually done it. Why pay for a London removals firm when you can do it yourself? If you’re reasonably fit and strong, and have access to a vehicle, then why not try to save some money and move your own stuff?

You’ll soon discover, when desperately trying to shift an impossibly heavy sideboard up a too-narrow staircase while damaging both furniture and the house in the process, that moving furniture is far from easy. It can be extremely exhausting work, that requires far more planning and skill than you might imagine.

Moving house in West London? 020 366 89726 for a quick quote

This is why many people choose to use furniture movers in London. Sure, it costs money, but ask anyone who’s had a lot of furniture to move and they’ll tell you without hesitation that it was worth every single penny.

Here’s why you might need to hire a specialist London furniture mover:

You have valuable or delicate furniture. If a piece has been in the family for generations, why risk it being damaged? Specialist movers have ample experience moving valuable and delicate pieces of furniture, using specialist protective packing designed to keep each item safe. Our team of furniture movers in London take every care to see that your most precious pieces arrive in one piece and without a scratch.

You have unusually large, heavy or bulky furniture. A prime example of this would be a grand piano. It doesn’t break down into easy-to-move pieces and it can’t be flat-packed. It may even not fit through a standard-size doorway. It’s been moved into the room, and a specialist mover can figure out the most affordable and safest way to move it out again – as well as installing it at the other end of the journey.

Furniture Movers in London You’re moving to another country. The cost, complication and hassle of moving large furniture and other items overseas can be extraordinary. This is exactly when you need a specialist in overseas moving, especially when it comes to those large items.

Your new property is several floors up. This presents a whole new challenge when moving, as you need to figure out the best way to get everything upstairs or up in the lift safely. When we say safely, we mean both the integrity of the items and the safety of the people doing the moving. Shifting heavy, bulky items up stairs can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing or you underestimate the amount of work involved. It’s a similar story with lifts, as people don’t always calculate the maximum weight capacity of the lift before using it to move heavy furniture – and this can be extremely dangerous.

The Kiwi Movers team have moved every kind of furniture item into every location imaginable, so we have the experience and knowledge to swiftly, safely and efficiently get your furniture where it needs to go. Contact our furniture movers in London for a quote for your move.

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West London Movers – 8 easy ways to save money (and get removal discounts) when you move house

Making plans for moving house is not something that should be left to the last minute. Unless you plan ahead, you could find that moving day is far more stressful and expensive than it needs to be.

Moving house can be expensive in other ways, from estate agent commission to mortgage fees. Even students moving out of halls and back home can face unexpected fees if they don’t plan properly. This is why it’s important to find ways to save money in other areas, such as when using a London removals firm.

We’re happy to share our insider tips as West London movers on the best ways to save money on moving house, as well as those times when it would be a false economy to skimp. What you need is a good value, reliable service that takes the hassle of moving off your plate. Here’s how to get just that:

1. Move at the right time

In our experience, January is the quietest time of the year for house moves. There are a few reasons for this, but generally speaking it’s to do with Christmas. People aren’t at the point of completing on house purchase transactions immediately after Christmas, and many others are on holiday. This is why the smart house mover may want to schedule their move for January, as prices for West London removals services may be cheaper. If you have the flexibility to pick a month for your move and you’d like to save money and avoid a busy patch for the movers, this one’s a no-brainer.

 


Moving house in West London? 020 366 89726 for a quick quote


There are other important points to consider in terms of the timing of your move as well as the month. We’d recommend avoiding moving on the weekend as this is when our moving teams are most in demand. If you move during the week instead, there could be a reasonable-sized discount coming your way.

Bank holidays are also a no-no. Many people choose to move near bank holidays as it gives them an extra day or two to get organised, but in reality it can make things more complicated. Most West London movers will be in demand, which could push prices up, and any delays in the completion of the purchase can’t be sorted out until the bank holiday is over. This can lead to hiring the removals firm for extra days, which can quickly become expensive.

2. Book early

West London movers are in high demand, so you’ll need to act early to secure the best price. The later you leave it to get your removals firm booked in, the more likely it is that their calendars will be full. This means higher costs, whereas if you book nice and early you may be able to lock in a great deal. Booking early also means less worry and stress, as you have the peace of mind that your removals team is already confirmed and all ready to go. It’s one more thing off your list of things to do before the move.

3. Do your own cleaning

London removals specialists such as Kiwi Movers are happy to offer a handy cleaning service as part of our service, and many people find it a huge relief not to have this burdensome task to worry about. If you’re busy at work, with the house move, looking after the kids and about a million other things, the last thing you want is to be deep cleaning your flat. Our end-of-tenancy cleaning service can handle all of this for you. However, if you’re looking for ways to save cash on your move and you have the time to get stuck into cleaning (or perhaps you really like cleaning!) – doing it yourself can be an economical way to go.

Regan wrapping in the kitchen 4. Pack your own things

Just like with property cleaning, packing is another of the services offered by West London movers such as ourselves. The Kiwi Movers team will carefully, quickly and professionally pack, package and protect all of your belongings, from the bulky to the valuable. This is a huge, time-consuming task off your to-do list, which is why so many people decide to use this service to make lives just a little easier for themselves.

For those concerned about their moving costs however, it could be a good idea to do all the packing yourself. You’ll need time, the right materials and plenty of patience – and it’s probably only worthwhile if you don’t have a large number of items or lots of valuables. Before you make this choice though, consider whether or not it may cost you more in the long run if your valuables are broken in transit due to poor packing. Moving firms are experienced in minimising breakages, and they have full insurance to cover the cost if anything does go wrong. If you’re confident of your packing skills, carry on. If not, speak to the Kiwi Movers team about our packing service.

5. Use your own boxes

This one is very much down to personal judgement as to whether it’s a money-saving tip or not. It is true that not buying boxes from a removals firm will save you money, but is it a false economy?

Boxes you’ve scrounged from local supermarkets and friends simply may not be up to the task. They won’t be designed for the rigours of house moves or the weight you want to put in them, and no amount of extra tape you put on them is going to stop the box from collapsing or breaking. Full boxes could split mid-move and cause valuables to be broken and damaged, as well as causing extra delays due to the clean-up time involved. If you don’t want to lose whole dinnerware services, have to replace all your glasses or see your vital documents and papers whipped away all over your driveway by the wind, buying proper removals boxes could be a smart choice.

Kiwi Movers offer great value, affordable moving boxes that are tried-and-tested throughout hundreds and thousands of moves, but it’s completely up to you if you want to use those or your own.

6. De-clutter on a major scale

How can you save money on moving house in West London? The answer is simple – move less stuff. Having a huge property-wide de-clutter can give you a fresh start in your new property but crucially, it means that you’re not paying to move stuff that you don’t need. You’ll save time and money during the move, as well as packing and unpacking on both sides. Plus, it can feel amazing to get rid of all that old junk, and many people find it quite an enjoyable and satisfying experience. You might even make some extra cash from selling off unwanted possessions.

7. Consider a pre-move survey

On paper, your house move seems simple. But what if that large item of furniture that simply won’t fit out of the door or window? What if parking at your new place (a problem that West London removals firms come up against all the time) is a nightmare? Issues like this can all drive the price up, especially if they cause delays or extra work.

The way to stop this from happening is to anticipate problems in advance is to get a pre-move survey carried out. Kiwi Movers experts will go over your move plan and spot any potential snags that could affect the price, and put plans in place to circumvent or eliminate these problems. Best of all – as well as the fact that it could save you cash – these pre-move surveys are completely free.

8. Pay by the hour

If you’re not moving far, a smart way to save money on a London removals service is to pay by the hour. For those with not a lot of belongings and only a short distance to travel within the West London area, this can make sound financial sense.

There is a crucial thing to remember though with pay by the hour removals services – you must be organised. You must have a clear and realistic idea of how long everything will take and be all packed up and ready to go at the appointed time. Any delays can push you into an extra hour, which of course costs money. Some of these delays may be out of your hands, such as traffic, so you should keep a contingency budget for an extra hour just in case.

Ready to move?

Please contact the Kiwi Movers team for a quick quote for your house move, or to find out more about our time and stress-saving services. We’ve also put together handy guides for moving house in Islington, Chelsea, Teddington and other West London destinations – to help you move smoothly and settle into your new home easily.

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Kiwi Movers Partners with Stoke Travel

As Antipodeans now settled in London, we like many of our fellow compatriots from New Zealand and Australia came to the UK to enjoy what London, the UK and Europe has to offer in culture, history and sites to visit and see. We of course love to have a good time doing this as well. Our mates over at Stoke Travel are just the guys to help you organise a fun filled adventure of two with their packages to some great events both here in the UK and in Europe. Get in touch with them for what is bound to be an unforgettable experience. Stoke Travel.

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Stoke Travel Oktoberfest Stoke Travel Running with the Bulls

 

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A guide to moving house in Clapham

Clapham is the perfect place for young people wanting to live and work in London.

Located closely to Brixton, there’s plenty of bars, restaurants, and nightlife – but with easy connections to central London through the Northern Line. In fact, you can reach the City within 10 minutes (just be prepared for things to be pretty busy).

If you’re renting on a budget, play close attention to which areas of Clapham you’re flat-hunting in. North Clapham, situated within the borough of Lambeth, will be more expensive than properties in Wandsworth.

This is all down to council tax but it’s still worth hunting around to find the right price to suit your budget.

Searching for properties

There are four distinct areas within Clapham: North, South, Old Town, and Junction.

Clapham North is particularly popular with students and young people, with less gentrification compared to other areas in the neighbourhood. It also has easy access to the Northern Line (a major plus for commuters).

But if you’re looking for Edwardian properties with farmer markets and artisanal coffee on your doorstep, then check out Clapham South. It has a real suburban feel and is particularly suited to families and trendy 30-somethings.

 

Things to do

If you ask most people what’s good about living in Clapham, they’ll tell you about the bustling atmosphere and nightlife scene in this neck of the woods.

We won’t pretend to do it justice here. Check online for more information (especially if you love cheesy 80s music, à la Infernos). Keep in mind, however, Clapham does have more to offer than clubs and bars. Clapham Picture House (SW4 0AT) is lovely for viewing a mixture of arthouse films and blockbuster hits. And if you want to enjoy the great outdoors with a picnic and plethora of dogs in tow, head to Clapham Common. You won’t be disappointed.

In terms of shopping, visit Clapham Junction for a greater variety of high-street shopping. You’ll find everything you need here, like Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Waterstones, and Boots. There’s a nice selection of independent businesses too.

 

Moving house in Clapham

This neighbourhood is home to many Australians and Kiwis who’ve made the big move to London.

If this is your first time living abroad, check out international shipping before you start pricing out flight costs. You can also look into excess baggage services. This could help you save up to 70% than shipping your belongings by air, and it’ll arrive within 7-10 days. Much simpler than carrying it yourself.

For more information about moving house in Clapham, follow us on Twitter or send us a free enquiry online.

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Why Renting in London is Very Different to Renting in the Rest of the UK

You would have had to have been living under a rock to not know how expensive it is to rent a home in London. But is this the only difference between renting in London and renting in the rest of the UK?

To help landlords and their tenants understand how renting in the capital compares to the rest of the country, we’ve asked 5 Star rated Landlord Insurance provider Just Landlords to offer some insight…

Firstly, there’s the price

And it’s not just expensive to be a tenant in London. While renting a one-bedroom apartment in a nice area can cost you anywhere between £1,300 and £2,000 per month, landlords are facing spiralling house prices and sky-high deposits just to invest.

A whopping 25% deposit is now required to purchase an investment property in London.

David Gape, the Owner of estate agency Independent London, puts that into perspective: “In Bermondsey Street, SE1, a one-bedroom apartment is now selling at £1,000 per square foot; that means a 500 square foot apartment costs half a million pounds. So you then have to stump up about £125,000 of your savings just for the deposit. Add to that a landlord crunching, Stamp-ing (kicking and screaming) Duty of £30,000 for an additional home, and then add mortgage fees, and you have an enormous Watford Gap in your bank balance.”

And the Government isn’t helping with its further changes to landlord taxes.

“The Government is taking the royal PRS in terms of taxes and duty,” insists Gape. “You can no longer reclaim all of the interest payments from your mortgages on your tax return. Go figure, the reason behind this is nonsensical in the extreme; as a business, you have to declare all of your income as taxable to start with, so you need to think very carefully before selling your mother to invest in this market.”

But it is a fast-paced market

Although the price of investing and renting in London may be an instant turn-off, it’s essential to remember that this is one of the most vibrant and diverse property markets – not just in the UK or Europe, but also in the whole world.

For tenants, this means that the market moves extremely quickly, which can mean much more (and fiercer) competition, but it does mean that the turnaround of properties is faster and you’re likely to always have options on your plate.

For landlords, the key to this market is almost certainly the return in rent from your hard-earned investment.

“The capital growth far outstrips anything else in the UK, barring a few Oligarchical postcodes on the coast,” observes Gape.

And there are fantastic transport links and amenities

New transport links and regeneration schemes are rife across the capital – one example is the Walworth Road near Burgess Park. For the London tenant, these amenities are key. As Gape explains: “There is no point in moving into London, getting spanked on the rent and the wine, and still having a one-hour commute to work.”

This means that renters are always on the lookout for areas with exceptional infrastructure. Landlords should use this to their advantage and find properties with excellent transport links.

“You will rent these properties quickly”, insists Gape. “At high rents, vacant periods can add up, so a good location is always a selling point.”

But he warns: “The promise of future infrastructure is only good for investors; tenants need it now, so you may have to wait for your canny investment to make its best returns.”

There’s a whole world to explore

Living in London doesn’t simply mean renting a property in the centre of London. If you consider London to be a micro economy in the UK, then each of its postcodes are micro economies within that micro economy.

To tenants, this means that rent prices can vary drastically from one location to another. For instance, Shad Thames and the Old Kent Road are both in SE1 under Southwark Council, but Shad Thames is a beautiful riverside area made up of warehouse conversions and modern new builds, surrounded by boutique shops and posh eateries, whereas the Old Kent Road is £60 on the Monopoly board for good reason…

Landlords must consider what the most important factor of their investment is – is yield always the key feature? Gape highlights the significance of following your instinct and realising that higher yielding properties tend to cater for the lower end market – this can increase your workload, see you get hit by rent arrears, constantly have new tenants moving in and experiencing more damage to your properties.

With such a variety of property types and locations on offer within the capital, you may be wise to look for good value, ready-to-go rentals.

“If you buy a nice two-bed, two bath in Canada Water and let to two doctors for two years, you can sit back and relax, collect the rent, get some shut-eye, and get better, faster capital appreciation on a higher standard property,” explains Gape.

Look out for licensing

Landlord licensing schemes have been introduced in different London boroughs to root out rogue landlords and improve the standard of rental accommodation in these locations.

This should mean that tenants receive a higher level of housing and are treated fairly by their landlord – an issue that has plagued the private rental sector as it has grown.

But landlords need to be aware of the different licensing schemes being operated borough-to-borough. If you own a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you will be subject to the mandatory licensing rules that are in force nationwide, but the additional licensing schemes run by London boroughs are varied and often not well publicised.

Make sure to keep up to date with your obligations, in order to protect the tenants that you’re letting to.

So, if you’re looking to either invest or live in a rental property in the capital, make sure you do your homework – there’s a great big world out there!

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Kiwi Movers teams up with Please Connect Me

No-one likes all the admin and life tasks that come with moving house.

Doing things like boiler readings, setting up internet, and getting in contact with your new local council to set up tax stuff. This is only made worse when you need to change service providers too.

That’s why we’re excited to announce we’ve teamed up with Please Connect Me – an amazing service that helps you find the best deals for your utility services. You don’t need to waste time on comparison websites – looking at internet, gas, and electricity deals – they do all the hard work for you. And it’s free.

Handy, right?

You can send an enquiry about this service online in just a few clicks.

 

A few tips about moving, anyway

In addition to changing service providers, there are few other things you might want to keep in mind before moving home.

1. Let your bank know
There’s a good chance you’re already using online banking. But if your bank changes its terms and conditions, or needs to send you important information, it’ll probably come by post. So let them know about your new address.

2. Tell your employer too
This is where your HR stuff, like payslips, will probably be sent. Pension details too. It’s also worth keeping in mind that if you’re changing jobs whilst moving house, then your P60/45 forms might get sent to the wrong address. These can’t be reissued and can be nightmare to retrieve.

3. Register to vote
You can register to vote online. It only takes a few minutes and so important for (1) voting and (2) obtaining credit for financial things. You can be fined for failing to do so.

4. Find a GP
Most people don’t think about registering for a GP until they’re ill – and then they find they’re on a waiting list and it’s going to take two weeks to see a doctor. Don’t be one of those people. Be amazing and do it now.

5. Set up a mail re-direct

It’s easy to forget all the different things we sign-up for. Rather than relying on the new tenant of your old place, you can set up a Royal Mail re-direct system for 3, 6 or 12 months. You can do the same for your business too, if that applies.

 

For more information about moving home, or our Please Connect Me partnership, send us a free enquiry online. Or you can follow us on Twitter for the latest news and tips.

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A guide to moving to Putney

The history of Putney stretches as far back as Roman times, when it was a pastural settlement for local communities in the 1st Century BCE.

Since then it’s become a thriving neighbourhood for Aussies and Kiwis alike. If you haven’t visited before, or you’re looking for easy commuting into the City of London, plan your journey now. Properties here are always going fast.

 

Things to do

With riverside pubs, comedy clubs, and lots of attractive outdoor space, Putney offers a welcome break from busy city living. You’re less a mile away from notable attractions like Bishops Park (Hammersmith) and a short distance away from the beautiful Ravenscourt Park.
Bishops Park

Bishops Park
You’ll probably know about the famous boat ride already. But in terms of cultural stuff, the neighbourhood is well known for Putney Arts Theatre – home to Putney Theatre Company – and puts on dozens of exciting performances throughout the year.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous though, you might want to check out Putney Old Burial Ground. This open-air space is perfect for atmospheric performances of Shakespeare – plus you get to bring a picnic.

 

Housing in Putney

It won’t come as a surprise that buying in Putney isn’t cheap. The average price of a detached home is around £960,000, with the average neighbourhood property clocking in at £722,685. That makes living in Putney more expensive than places like Roehamtpon and prices have continued to rise since 2014.

If you’re looking to stretch your budget, however, then you’ll find no shortage of exclusive properties here.

 

Schools

Putney has an excellent selection of primary and secondary schools, the top three of which are:

  • Putney High School (<1000 pupils)
  • Ibstock Place School (<1000 pupils)
  • Ashcroft Technology Academy (+1200 pupils)

You can compare all local schools in this area online.

Putney also has its own Art and Design School, specialising in digital, photography, and web design.

 

Best time of year to move to Putney

Despite being outside London’s congestion charge zone, Putney can still be quite busy during rush hour. So it’s best to avoid moving during early morning and or late afternoon.

It’s also worth being mindful of the University Boat Race. Putney Embankment is an extremely popular visitor’s spot and will become congested around this time.

For more information about moving to Putney – including how to arrange a removal service – visit our specialist page on Putney removals. Alternatively you can contact us online for a free quote or send us a tweet @KiwiMovers.

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