FTB Getting Keys on Friday, Any Tips Or Advice?

marbar2k

Hi everyone, Im a first time buyer and so far its been a massive learning curve!

We are set to get the keys on friday but id like some advice. Can anyone give me any tips on stuff we should do that maybe usually get overlooked?

I take it i need to take meter readings for the gas, water & electricity, should I ring them on the day to tell them? Do i need to stick with the current gas & elec supplier?

Do I need to register for council tax or is this done from the land registry?

anything else I should do?

cattie

Yes, ring your meter readings through. Once you've moved into the property, you are free to shop around and get your gas & electricity from which ever company you prefer. Go through links on this site to check best tarrifs and get some cashback on top.

If you haven't had to give your new address to your existing council tax dept. then phone the council offices in your new area and notify them of your moving in date.

I can't think of anything else you really need to do right now, though I'm sure other posters will come up with suggestions. Oh, maybe think about changing the locks as soon as you move in? I've never bothered myself, but know a lot of people like to. I've been blessed to always buy off of honourable people! Some I've kept in touch with when they have moved locally.

All I'll say is move in and enjoy your new home!

DVardysShadow

cattie wrote: »

Yes, ring your meter readings through. Once you've moved into the property, you are free to shop around and get your gas & electricity from which ever company you prefer. Go through links on this site to check best tarrifs and get some cashback on top.

Unfortunately, when you move into the property, you are NOT free to change supplier for 28 days. You are on a 'deemed contract' with the previous supplier, to whom you should ring through your readings. Take your readings as the very first action after you open the door and note them down in a diary or similar and keep them safe.

As you already have a move in date and therefore, I assume, exchanged contracts, unless the solicitor has already asked on your behalf, you are too late to ask who the current suppliers are via solicitors queries. You may find the information in the Property Information Form.

If the information is not on the Property Information Form, you could try asking through the Agent. If that fails, there are other ways of finding out and if you post on the Gas and Electricity forum http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13, they will tell you how this can be done.

Mrs_Imp

Hire/borrow/buy a carpet cleaner and give the carpets a good clean before you move anything in.

The brown carpet in our living room turned out to be orange :eek:

Werdnal

I know you are getting your keys, but you might actually want to change the locks! You have know way of knowing how many people have a copy of a key to fit your property.

Contact all the utlities with meter readings, to ensure you don't get an outstanding bill from previous owner.

Ring Council Tax office.

Buy TV licence.

Find out (if you don't know already) what day your refuse and recycling collections are, and if previous owners have taken the specific bins or bags that you need, order replacements.

jackomdj

Have a handy box of stuff you will need.... Cold drinks, tea, coffee, milk, mugs, cleaning stuff (if place is dirty), toilet roll, remember you may not get your keys till late in the day so know where your bedding is! Bottle of wine or beer, pizza menu :-)

You can get letters ready to inform people of your new address, there is a thread on here somewhere with a good list, don't forget work, pension company, things like club card, if you have any magazines delivered etc, saves you having to write them when you first move in.

hcb42

Find the no of the nearest takeaway place, get yourselves a bottle of champers for the first night and relax!

pawlala

don't forget to redirect post.

Car? : DVLA, insurance, breakdown
House insurance etc.
Change all your online accounts with everything with new address.

notts_phil

Take a photo of the meters showing the.meter readings ...

thomasdown

All of the above and most important thing I'd say is to change the locks! Just the barrel in front and back should do it.

innovate

Long list of companies/people to tell about your new address: http://www.helpiammoving.com/moving_house/QuickChecklist.pdf