House buying process - checklist

pledgeX

So I'm quite far along the process of buying my first house. It's taken quite a long time to get here due to slow action from all parties including myself (but mostly the vendor ). 9 weeks since acceptance now. But overall it has been relatively straightforward

I'm trying to make a list of the things I still need to do before exchange and between then and completion. So far I've got a formal mortgage offer, all the searches and surveys have been done, the draft contract has been signed, and I think we've got all the paperwork from the vendor in terms of certificates, fixtures/fittings, property information etc.

I believe all we're waiting on now is for the gas and electrics to be serviced as she didn't have much paperwork for these, the inspections should be booked in the next couple of days. So here's my attempt at a check-list for remaining things to do:

Before exchange:
- Buildings and contents insurance
- Sort out tenants in common (not getting joint ownership as gf is putting in about 10k more than me and we are not married yet)
- Transfer the 10% deposit to the solicitor

Between exchange and completion:
- Get life insurance
- Decide who our gas and electricity provider will be
- Decide who our internet service provider will be
- Decide who our phoneline will be with
- Get rest of deposit funds in place and transfer to solicitor ready for completion day
- No need for removals as we are FTB and have big cars


Have I missed anything? (I'm sure I have somewhere!)

With regards to the utility, internet, and phone providers, is there anything you can do before completion, i.e. set it all up so it's ready to go from day 1. Or do you have to wait to get in before you can cancel everything and then wait a few more weeks for everything to be installed/switched over? And will we 'inherit' any services that we will have to cancel or should the vendor cancel everything beforehand?

Thanks for any help.

daisymay2008

once you have exchanged you can book bt/internet sky tv etc for day after you move in....

and don't forget to take a meter reading of gas and electric the day you move in

pledgeX

Thaks daisy. If the lines not already connected, can you still organise internet in advance, or do you have to wait to get connected so you can get a phone number and things? (I know the wiring is in place, but not sure if it's currently connected with BT or whoever). Sorry that has started to go off into a techie tangent!

Some other things I've thought of that I think I'm all set for: (Although some of these are much less urgent and could probably wait a few weeks)
- Council tax
- Update driving license
- TV license
- Registering with dentist/doctor