Seasonal · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Moving house: what to do with your old fridge, washer and cooker
Decide early: leave, take or get rid
Appliances cause a surprising number of last-minute disputes in house moves. The seller fills in the TA10 Fittings and Contents form, which lists items such as the cooker, fridge, washing machine and dishwasher, and says whether each is included in the sale, excluded or available for an extra price. Once agreed, the buyer is entitled to find included items in the property on completion.
| Option | Best when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Leave it for the buyer | It is built in, working and listed as included | Must be left in working order and clean |
| Take it with you | It is newer and fits your new kitchen | Measure the new space and doorways first |
| Sell or donate | It is working but will not fit or suit the new home | Charities may need a week or more to collect |
| Recycle | It is old, broken or inefficient | Book collection before the removal van arrives |
Leaving appliances that are not wanted
Do not leave an old fridge or washing machine behind unless the buyer has agreed in writing. If the TA10 says an appliance is excluded, the buyer can reasonably expect the space to be empty, and leaving it creates a cost and argument at a busy time. The same applies to tenants at the end of a tenancy who bought their own appliances.
If you are buying, check the TA10 before exchange and ask questions about any appliance marked as included. Confirm it works, roughly how old it is and whether manuals or warranties will be left. It is far easier to sort out a broken or missing appliance before exchange than after completion.
Moving a fridge or freezer safely
- Use up food over the last week and switch it off 24 hours before the move
- Defrost fully, mop up and dry the inside
- Remove or tape down glass shelves and drawers
- Keep it upright in the van and strap it to the side
- Once in place, leave it standing for at least four hours before switching on, or around 24 hours if it was laid down
- Wait until it is cold before loading food
Lying a fridge flat can let compressor oil run into the cooling pipes. Standing it upright for long enough before switching on lets the oil drain back.
Moving a washing machine or dishwasher
Washing machines must have their transit bolts refitted before moving, as these lock the drum in place. If you no longer have them, they can usually be bought for your model. Turn off the water supply, disconnect the hoses, drain the remaining water through the filter and leave the door open for a day so it dries out. Dishwashers should be drained and the hoses tied up so they do not leak.
Cookers and gas appliances
If you are taking a gas cooker, a Gas Safe registered engineer must disconnect and cap it at the old home, and another must connect it at the new one. Hard-wired electric cookers need an electrician at both ends. Removal firms will not normally disconnect gas or wired appliances, so book these early, as engineers get busy around peak moving dates.
Timing around peak moving season
Late spring and summer, along with the end of each month and the Friday before a bank holiday, are the busiest times for house moves. Council bulky waste slots, charity collections and engineers can all book up weeks ahead. Arrange collection of unwanted appliances a week or two before completion, so you are not trying to fit an old fridge into the removal van on the day.
- Two to four weeks before: decide what stays, goes or is recycled
- One to two weeks before: book disconnections and collections
- One day before: defrost the fridge and drain the washing machine
- Moving day: check every agreed appliance is in place and working
Tenants moving out
Tenants should check the check-in inventory before moving out. Appliances that belonged to the landlord must be left clean and in working order, while any appliance the tenant bought must be removed unless the landlord agrees in writing to keep it. Leaving an unwanted appliance behind can lead to a deduction for removal from the money held at the end of the tenancy, so it is usually cheaper to arrange collection yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to leave the cooker when I sell my house?
Only if you have agreed to. Built-in ovens and hobs are normally treated as fixtures and included, while freestanding cookers and appliances are often listed separately on the TA10 form. Whatever you put on the form becomes part of the deal, so check it carefully with your conveyancer and do not remove anything listed as included.
How long should a fridge stand before switching it on after a move?
As a general guide, leave it upright for at least four hours if it was transported upright, and around 24 hours if it was laid on its side. This allows the oil in the compressor to settle back. Check your manufacturer's instructions, as some give their own timings. Then give it a few hours to cool down before putting food inside.
What if the seller has left old appliances I did not want?
Contact your conveyancer straight away, as the TA10 form shows what was agreed. If items were listed as excluded but left behind, the seller may be asked to remove them or cover the cost of disposal. Take photos on completion day. If you decide to deal with them yourself, use a registered waste carrier and keep the waste transfer note.
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