Complete but move in later?

Rumana03

Hi,

I wanted to ask if anyone has completed but then moved in a few days later? Is that an issue?
What things would we need to do on the day?  Would we need to pick up keys and then check the property? Thanks.

elsien

Do you mean complete rather than exchange? 

youth_leader

When you exchange contracts, you agree a completion date which could be the same day, or a week later.  You have to insure the building upon exchange.  You can move in on the day of completion onwards.

Rumana03

elsien said:

Do you mean complete rather than exchange? 

Sorry I meant complete...after the money has been paid and nothing is left.

aoleks

You can, but ALWAYS get the keys on the day, inspect the house and change the locks. Put the heating on a minimum temp (16 degrees, unless it’s winter) and then it’s as if you moved in and you’re not at home. You can then “move in” whenever you want!

theartfullodger

You don't ever have to move in.  Especially e.g. if buying to rent it out.  

But if buying to live in mortgage and insurance may require occupation... Check policies!

MaryNB

Rumana03 said:

Hi,

I wanted to ask if anyone has completed but then moved in a few days later? Is that an issue?
What things would we need to do on the day?  Would we need to pick up keys and then check the property? Thanks.

Because I exchanged the day before I completed my tenancy didn't end until nearly a month after I completed on my house. I completed during a hard lockdown so couldn't even go to ikea to buy basic furniture (I moved from a furnished houseshare).

I bought some cleaning materials and some other basics (toilet paper etc), grabbed the keys, checked out the property, took some meter readings, checked the heating system (weather was cold so wanted to make sure pipes wouldn't freeze) and then went back to my rental. I gradually moved in over the next three weeks once I managed to get basic furniture sorted.  

badger09

Of course you can. Assuming you don’t have to vacate your current home because you’ve sold it to your buyer & need the sale proceeds to complete your purchase. 

Our sale completed 8 Jan 2021 but purchase didn’t complete until 4 Feb. We couldn’t get removals out of storage on 4th so moved a few days later.  Vendor dropped keys with our friends. We checked property was as remembered, dumped some stuff from our temp accommodation then went ‘home’ with a ‘to do list’.  Some of which is still undone😊

seven-day-weekend

We completed in April 2015 and didn't move in until the September.  (although we visited most days).  There was a lot of work to do on the house initially so there were workmen in, and then we moved in slowly from our other house.

housebuyer143

Rumana03 said:

Hi,

I wanted to ask if anyone has completed but then moved in a few days later? Is that an issue?
What things would we need to do on the day?  Would we need to pick up keys and then check the property? Thanks.

You can move in whenever you like. You may get council tax exemption for the days you are not living there so be sure to ask.

pinkteapot

Yep, done this before. On completion day you should:

Pick up keys 
Check house is secure 
Take meter readings 
Put heating on for a period morning and evening at a low temp, if winter and very cold. 

You could advise your insurance company it’ll be empty to cover yourself, but for just a few days this is very unlikely to be necessary (check your policy). Most policies have a limit of e.g. 30 or 60 days for leaving the house unoccupied.