Moving into Halls Checklist

Who this is for

Packing and arrival for halls, sorted by room. Lists for documents, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, study and tech cover what to bring, and the arrival tasks cover the first few days once the keys are in your hand.

First-year students moving into university halls, and the parents or friends helping them pack and drive them there.

What this helps you track

• Documents and ID to have with you, not in a box
• What to pack for each part of your room and the shared kitchen
• Anything extra you are bringing, packed and checked on arrival
• The tasks to get done in the first days after moving in

How to use it

1. Fill in your name, the halls, your room, the arrival date and when and where to collect keys.
2. Check what your halls already provide and what they do not allow, then cross those items off before you shop.
3. Tick items as they are packed, and add anything else to the other items table.
4. On arrival, tick the other items again as they come out of the car so nothing is left behind.
5. Work through the arrival tasks over the first few days and write the date each one is done.

Formats

• Printable PDF (A4 and US Letter)
• Fillable PDF with form fields
• Fill in online, saved in your browser

The printable is laid out inside a box that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the two files are identical and neither one is scaled. The fillable PDF has real form fields. The online version keeps what you enter in your own browser and builds the completed PDF on your device.

How to print

Download the A4 or US Letter file to match the paper in your printer, open it in a PDF reader and print at 100% — not "fit to page", which shrinks the writing space. Both files leave a 14 mm margin, which clears the unprintable edge on home printers. To print the online version with your entries in it, use the Print this sheet button, which prints only the sheet and none of the page around it. More on printing.

Questions

Why check with the halls before packing?

Halls differ in what they supply and what they ban. Some provide bedding or kitchen packs, some do not allow certain appliances or candles. Your accommodation office's guidance is the list to trust over this one.

Do I need to bring everything on the list?

No. It is a list to choose from, not a shopping list. Shared kitchens often end up with several of everything, so it can help to agree with flatmates who brings what once you know who they are.

What should travel with me rather than in a box?

Documents, ID, bank cards, medication, phone, charger, keys and anything you need on the first night. If a box goes missing in the move these are the things that are hardest to do without.

Is the checklist the same as a room inventory?

No. This covers what you bring. Most halls also give you an inventory or condition form for the room itself; fill that in carefully when you arrive, as it matters when you move out.