Feature image: The Guardian

Gone are the days when searching for a new home in London meant scouring dodgy estate agent windows and booking a viewing with no idea what awaited inside. These days, we’ll have surveyed the area via Google Street View and enjoyed a 360-degree virtual tour from the comfort of our sofa before we send our first speculative email. In fact, despite its reputation as one of the most stressful things we go through in our lives – even more so in the chaos of London’s streets – moving house needn’t be a headache.

It’s all about having the right help, which is why we’ve put together our five favourite apps and sites that’ll help moving house in London go smoothly. Got any more suggestions? Share your top tips with us in the comments section below.

Pick your perfect pad: Rightmove

Source: A Girl, A Style

We wouldn’t have to be seriously considering moving house to peruse the Rightmove app for Apple and Android – it’s kind of addictive to scroll through all the properties for sale or rent near you (and steal a few style tips from some of the more stylish living rooms). There are lots out there, but Rightmove is free, covers millions of properties for sale and rent across the country, and is particularly user friendly. Just be warned: you may lose several hours of your life to ogling multi-million pound houses. Enjoy it, we say.

Compare conveyancing solicitors: Reallymoving

This is only relevant if you’re buying somewhere, so skip this one if you’re a renter. Conveyancing and all the other forms, questionnaires and checks you have to engage with when buying a property seem to be kept a secret until you find yourself drowning in paperwork. And it’s ten times more frustrating if your solicitor isn’t doing their job properly and is refusing to guide you through the process. Avoid any unnecessary stress and compare conveyancing solicitors via a site like Reallymoving before you appoint one.

Sell your stuff: Depop

Source: The Daily Street

Whether you’re moving to another rental flat with friends or a partner, buying somewhere small – this is London, after all – or downsizing, moving house is a good time to take stock and get rid of stuff you don’t need. eBay is great, but there’s a trendy new kid on the block that’s particularly well suited to fashion lovers: sell your clothes, accessories, books, records and more or less anything else in Depop, an app that’s a hybrid of eBay and Instagram – allowing you to buy and sell in a matter of a few screen taps.

Manage the move: Boxman

One of the most stressful aspects of moving house is getting your stuff to your new place. Use your own car and you’ll have to weave through London’s congested streets, driving back and forth with your various belongings – a painful experience, especially if you’re having to travel across the city. Use a traditional removal service, and you could end up in your new place with boxes piled high around you for weeks on end.

On-demand storage company Boxman delivers, collects and returns their waterproof, stackable boxes from your door and keeps them safe until you’re ready for them. It’s all done at the click of a button, they can be with you within two hours, they work at the weekends, and they’ll bring each box back to you individually just as soon as you can face dealing with it. A great way to ease your way into your new place without the usual clutter. What’s not to like?

Decorate your digs

Source: TruexCullins

This is the really exciting part: it’s time to put your stamp on your new digs. Even if you’ve got a clear idea of what you’re after, looking at inspirational interiors in different styles could help spark your imagination and encourage you to try something new. Once you’ve signed up for Houzz (it’s free), you’ll have access to their database of 5 million photos for home inspiration, access to tons of home professionals and online shops to help you recreate the looks you love. All straight from your laptop. Not an estate agent or DIY shop in sight.

Are you moving house in London? Have you used any of the services we’ve recommended? Share your house-moving tips with us in the comments section below.