First time buyer - advice needed if possible

savanajhones

When buying the home for the first time, it is necessary for everyone to understand the requirements and to see and confirm that the house is not stuck in any property related issues. Most of the time it happens and requires proper understanding.

carolinehunt200

I cannot advice you on the 1 question but for the 2 question, you should inform the existing utilities company that you don't want their services, sometimes they may give you a better deal then the one you have found out.
Also, you can compare various deals at http://www.confused.com/gas-electricity

MjW5 wrote: »

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!

McCreary

Thanks for all your support and advice. As you can imagine the sale has been put on 'hold' over the festive season but I am hoping it's not going to be too long until I get a completion date.

One thing that did confuse me is that when I looked on some supplier's websites for gas/electricity it asked what I spend per month on energy. Obviously I do not know so do I just put a rough estimate in to get the quote?

Also I currently have my deposit in a eSaver savings account with Santander (!). Is it possible to pay the deposit straight out of that account or will I need to transfer it into a current account in order to get the bank to draft the cheque? Would I need to give the bank advance warning to get the cheque for a large amount or can I simply just go to the cashier desk on the day for them to do there and then?

Many thanks again

McCreary

Out of interest how long would you say it would normally take for a sale to complete for a FTB with no chain?

pinkarsenalprincess

McCreary wrote: »

Out of interest how long would you say it would normally take for a sale to complete for a FTB with no chain?

Ours took a very stressful 8 months (not the 6 weeks as promised)

hazyjo

Probably not less than 4 weeks, probably no longer than 12 (yes, know it can be done in a week and know it can take 8 months - as above, but generally, I'd bet on around 6-9 weeks). Turn everything round as soon as you can, chase people, and will happen sooner rather than later. Presume this is still the same purchase you mentioned in your first post. Don't forget you may well have lost 2-3 weeks due to Christmas, etc (we have!).

Jx

lilac_rainbow

hazyjo wrote: »

Just to add - the council would actually need to inspect to see you weren't living there, and to see it was uninhabitable. You can't just say 'I wasn't living there/I was having works done'. Know there was a thread here the other day about someone who was trying to negotiate a reduction/pay-break in CT after having the works done. Sorry, but the council don't just take your word for it (understandably!). Keep them informed from the outset.

Jx

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

You might get away with not paying C Tax while there's no kitchen or bathroom in the property which is mainly what makes a property uninhabitable. Just being empty of furniture won't be.

Just wanted to add that my council took my word for it. There was a period of 3 months between ownership & moving in that we were not billed for.

This place was a repossession so we didn't get any info re providers but I phoned British Gas and asked if they were the providers & if not could they tell me who was - they did provide the gas & told me NPower provided the electricity. They also co-ordinated the switch over for me (although NPower read the meter & passed on a random number approx 1000 units MORE than was actually on the meter :eek: )

geoffky wrote: »

rubbish... you have 6 months if decorating or 12 months if doing major work...it might be different with some councils...i bought in march and moved in in aug and never paid a penny council tax until 1st sept

lilac_rainbow

McCreary wrote: »

Out of interest how long would you say it would normally take for a sale to complete for a FTB with no chain?

Ours was a very stress-free 43 days

McCreary

Thanks to all for your help and advice. I am hoping to complete this Friday (21st January) but still relatively clueless on what to do!

In regards to utilities, primarily gas and electricity... can I ring up British Gas (who currently supply the gas and electricity) and ask them to cancel the account or would you advise staying with them for a couple of months on a standard tariff? If I stayed with them would I be committed to them for a contract period of 12 months for example or can you get rolling contracts?

flora48

Regarding the transfer of your money, you will need to check the daily transfer limits from your account if you do an electronic transfer, my bank only allows £10k daily. Otherwise you can do a CHAPS transfer but they cost £25 or £30.