First time buyer - advice needed if possible

MjW5

Hi all,

New to the forum but hoping to learn a lot from you all!

I have recently had an offer accepted on a property and managed to get a mortgage as a first time buyer. I haven't set a completion date yet as the solicitors are still sorting out the contracts and running various searches on the property. I have two areas which I would value your advice, if possible.

1. The house is an end-terrace property next to a very small supermarket. In-between the store and the property is a small road which is used for a customer car park and delivery access. I recently had a structural survey completed (all okay) but it did mention that within the next ten years the gable end would need re-rendering. This means I would need to put scaffolding on the road, which would block access for the store. The last time this was done was 12 years ago and the store has gone through change of management. I am right in thinking that I am legally allowed access to the gable end to work on it aren't I? I have asked the solicitor to investigate and try to confirm this but I would value your thoughts.

2. Also, I am trying to be thrifty and get the best deals on utilities but I'm very confused with what I have to do on the day of completion. Do I need to initially stick with the current gas/electricity provider for example or can I immediately sign up for a new provider without informing the current provider? I have found a couple of good deals online but wasn't sure if saying with the current provider would commit me to a new minimum term?

Thank you for any help that you will be able to provide!

geoffky

make sure to check the council tax band has been lowered due to the supermarket having been built next door... have a search on here about it

G_M

Is the road private or public highway? If private, who owns it? The supermarket? You'll need their permission to erect scafolding on it. If highway, likeways you'll need highways cooperation. Either way, provided you give plenty of advance warning, communicate fully, seek permissions, negotiate, offer to do it at weekends if the supermarket is closed etc I'm sure it is do-able.

Find out who current suppliers are from the vendors (should be on one of the info forms your solicitor (if you have one) gets from the vendor's solicitor. Actually you may not need to know, but it helps. The vendors should be telling their supplier they are leaving, and arranging a final bill. You contact your chosen supplier, give the move-in date and request supply. They might need the unique meter number(MPAN). And you MUST take a meter reading when you move in so you only pay for YOUR electricity, not the previous owner's!

MjW5

geoffky wrote: »

make sure to check the council tax band has been lowered due to the supermarket having been built next door... have a search on here about it

Thanks I will investigate this - I know the council tax band is A and that it is the same as the other houses in the street.

MjW5

G_M wrote: »

Is the road private or public highway? If private, who owns it? The supermarket? You'll need their permission to erect scafolding on it. If highway, likeways you'll need highways cooperation. Either way, provided you give plenty of advance warning, communicate fully, seek permissions, negotiate, offer to do it at weekends if the supermarket is closed etc I'm sure it is do-able.

It is a private road owned by the store. They currently have gates attached to the side of the (my) property wall too. It is a very small supermarket and very few people actually use the rear car park. Most of the delivery lorries actually park on the main road and push the trolleys around to the back. Re-rendering the wall would be a big job as the old render would need to be removed, so would take a week or so to complete.

I also know that the supermarket actually paid to have the walls rendered 12 years ago. It is a well-known supermarket chain so I have given all this information to the solicitors including the address of their legal department. I don't plan on re-rendering the wall within the next three years but want it all agreed before I complete.

Thanks for your advice - I do appreciate it. Thanks also for the advice about the utilities. I'm glad I can choose my own suppliers straight away!

geoffky

I live next door to a tesco and they are great..we share 15 massive trees and they pay for all the cutting back and lopping of the trees..saves me a fortune.

if your band is a it can not be lowered..you lucky sod mine is E

CIS

I know the council tax band is A

A is the lowest band

MjW5

CIS wrote: »

A is the lowest band

Thanks for confirming - I thought that was the case.

Also, I have heard that you take a break from paying council tax if you are not living in the house because of extensive repair work. Is this true?

The house is very old and, although structurally sound, I am planning on having extensive work done internally which includes adding a damp course, insulating the roof, rewiring, having central heating installed, adding a kitchen (it hasn't got a full one) and re-organising the extension. In this sense it really would be hard for me to live there while this is all going on. I knew this was going to be the cause when I made an offer and planned on not moving in for at least a year anyway.

geoffky

you can get free council tax for up to six months where i live..as long as you have not moved in..

CIS

Also, I have heard that you take a break from paying council tax if you are not living in the house because of extensive repair work. Is this true?

An unoccupied property undergoing major or structual repairs can be exempt (Class A) for up to 12 months.

you can get free council tax for up to six months where i live..as long as you have not moved in..

An unoccupied and substantially unfurnished property can be exempt (Class C ) for a maximum of 6 months (this period may be reduced if the previous owner/occupier claimed any Class C exemption on the property)

MjW5

CIS wrote: »

An unoccupied property undergoing major or structual repairs can be exempt (Class A) for up to 12 months.

Many thanks for confirming this! I do really appreciate it as this is all new to me. Could I ask how I would go about this - would I just contact the council or are there forms to fill in etc?