Student Moves: A Simple Guide

Planning ahead: why early booking matters

Student moves cluster around the same few weeks of the year — mainly September intake and the end of the academic year in June and July. This concentrated demand means that leaving your move to the last few days before term starts or after halls close is a recipe for stress. Post your job on Vanloop as soon as you have confirmed dates, even if that is weeks in advance.

Early booking also gives you time to coordinate with housemates. If several of you are moving into the same shared house, consider posting a single combined job rather than multiple individual ones. A single van carrying everyone's belongings from different pickups to the same destination may be more practical than several separate moves.

What to take and what to leave

University accommodation — particularly halls of residence — is often furnished. Check what is already provided before you pack a kettle, toaster, desk lamp, or mini-fridge that will sit unused. Most halls supply a bed, desk, chair, and wardrobe. Private rented accommodation varies, so ask the landlord or previous tenants.

The golden rule for student moves: if you have not used it since you arrived, do not move it again. Sell textbooks you have finished with, donate clothes you no longer wear, and be ruthless with kitchen gadgets. The less you move, the smaller the van you need and the easier the day becomes. Every box, bag, or piece of furniture you decide not to take is one less thing to carry up stairs and across town.

Packing on a student budget

You do not need to spend much on packing materials. Supermarkets and shops will often give you sturdy cardboard boxes for free if you ask — fruit boxes in particular are strong and stackable. Suitcases, holdalls, and even sturdy laundry bags can serve as containers for clothes and soft items.

For fragile items like kitchenware, wrap plates and bowls individually in tea towels or clothing rather than buying bubble wrap. Electronics should go in padded bags or be wrapped in soft layers and placed in the centre of a box with clothes around them. Label everything clearly — you will thank yourself when you arrive tired and just want to find your phone charger.

Coordinating with housemates

If you are sharing a van with housemates, agree on a pickup order and a rough schedule before the driver arrives. Decide who loads first and who unloads last. Have everyone's belongings packed and ready before the van appears. Standing around packing boxes while the driver waits wastes time and may affect the final cost if the job runs over.

Communication is the key to a smooth shared move. Set up a group chat dedicated to the move. Confirm addresses, timing, and who is responsible for what. A shared move with clear roles and advance preparation can be quick and efficient. A disorganised one where nobody is ready is the opposite.

Handling the end-of-tenancy clean

Getting your deposit back usually depends on leaving the property as clean as you found it. Plan cleaning time separately from moving time — do not expect the driver to wait while you scrub the oven. Either clean the day before or arrange to come back after the move.

Take dated photographs of every room after you have emptied and cleaned it. This is your evidence if a landlord or letting agent tries to deduct from your deposit. Pay particular attention to areas that are commonly disputed: oven, fridge interior, shower, carpets, and walls.

Moving between university cities

Longer-distance student moves — for example from one university city to another for a placement year, or returning home for the summer after graduation — require a bit more planning. The driver needs to know the full distance, whether it is a motorway journey, and whether loading needs to happen at a specific time because of accommodation check-out deadlines.

If you are moving home for the summer and only taking essentials, describe exactly that. A driver who knows you are only taking a few boxes, a guitar, and a suitcase can use a smaller van and quote accordingly. Overstating the load means you may get quotes for a van that is far larger than you need.

Storage options between terms

If your accommodation requires you to empty your room between academic years but you do not want to move everything home and back again, storage may be the answer. Some Vanloop drivers offer to transport items directly to a storage facility as part of the job. Mention this in your posting if it is what you need.

Check the access hours and loading arrangements at the storage facility before the move. Some facilities have limited lift access or require specific documentation. The driver will need to know these details to plan the job properly, especially if the storage unit is on an upper floor.

What to tell the driver about halls or student housing

Student accommodation has its own quirks. Halls of residence often have strict loading bay time slots, security gates, and a ban on parking outside the main entrance without prior permission. Many have narrow corridors, small lifts, and multiple fire doors that make moving furniture awkward.

When posting on Vanloop, mention whether you are in halls, private rented accommodation, or a shared house. Tell the driver about parking restrictions, whether a permit is needed, which floor you are on, and whether the lift can fit large items. These details matter far more than a student moving out of a family home might realise. A driver who has never visited your specific accommodation block before relies entirely on the information you provide.

More questions

When should I book my student move?

As soon as your dates are confirmed — even if that is months ahead. The university moving season is concentrated around September and June/July, and demand spikes sharply. Early bookings give you more choice of drivers and better availability. A job posted weeks in advance will typically attract more quotes than one posted the night before.

Can the driver help me move things from multiple pickup points?

Yes, but describe this clearly in your job posting. If you and a few housemates each need collections from different addresses before heading to the shared house, list every pickup postcode and roughly what is at each one. The driver can then quote for a route that covers all of them.

Should I pack before the driver arrives or while they wait?

Absolutely pack before. A driver quotes for transport and loading time, not for standing around while you fill boxes. Have everything packed, sealed, and labelled before the van pulls up. It keeps the day moving and avoids the job taking longer than quoted.

What if I am moving out of halls and into private accommodation on the same day?

Post a single job covering both legs: the hall pickup and the private address delivery. Include both full addresses, the hall's checkout time requirements, and any access restrictions at the private property. A single job with all the information up front is far easier for a driver to quote and plan around than two separate, last-minute postings.

Is it worth sharing a van with people I don't know well?

It can work if everyone communicates clearly and has their belongings ready. Agree a pickup order, a schedule, and who pays what before the day. If you are concerned about reliability — someone being late, not packed, or short on their share — you may be better off posting your own job and keeping it simple.