Latest update on the house situation is: the estate agents are waiting for the references to come back. They’ve assured me that we’re still good to get the keys next Monday so fingers crossed that still happens. 
Work are being a bit of a pain about me taking time off to move – it’s not my fault they haven’t hired a temp to cover the girl who’s seconded elsewhere, it’s not like they haven’t known about it for, oooh, a MONTH now!
Anyway, I’ll stop ranting and post again when I know more.