My house move....

Romepen

Good Morning 

I am relatively new on here so I  apologise in advance for any mistakes. 

I am signing contracts on Monday, so once the seller and I have done this , am I correct in thinking that neither side can pull out? My solicitors expect the completion date any week now and have asked me to sign contracts on Monday in readiness. 

The estate agent,  who I know is working for the seller and not me , has informed that completion and key hand over can be done on the same day, is this possible? 

My other question is : 

How do the bills work? 
If I move in on the 20th , do I start paying bills from that date?  Any help on this would be deeply appreciated....

The bills I have organised myself for: 

1. Mortgage 
2. Gas
3. Electric 
4. Water
5. Broadband,  TV
6. Mobile
7. TV Licence
8. House Insurance 
9. Car rd tax
10 car insurance 
11. Council Tax 
12. Food bill 

I can't think of anything else, is there something I have missed? 

They are not leaving the : 

Fridge
Washing machine 
Dryer
Bed

So I need to budget for them too....

I have been through a divorce and am finally buying a house - but don't have any furniture,  so I am starting new, does anyone know of places where I can pick up good quality furniture at decent prices.

Thank you for reading and I appreciate any feedback.

400ixl

Signing the contracts is not that relevant, but once your solicitor exchanges contracts then pulling out becomes very expensive, but not impossible. Yes you can exchange and complete on the same day, quite a common occurrence.

You need to put insurance in place from the date of exchange if completion is not on the same day. Obviously on the date of completion if the same day.

Looks like you have the main bills covered.

Enjoy your new home.

gwynlas

After you have signed contracts they need to be exchanged which might happen the same day. You and seller agree completion date and your solicitor asks mortgage lender for funds. You will be liable for all bills from completion it is important therefore to arrange building and contents insurance from that date.
For furnishings you could try BHF shops as they also do electrical, FB marketplace, Gumtree etc as well as any charity shops in your area. Remember to take your time it does not need to be perfect straightaway. Friends and family might be happy to pass on goods.

horsewithnoname

Join your local freecycle group, people give away all sorts of things. 

RAS

Read all the meters on the day you move in and notify the suppliers. I'd suggest asking the EA where the meters are, there was an interesting thread a while back when a householder couldn't find any meters. A bush had grown over the front of the exterior cupboard. 

Either have a bucket full of cleaning equipment and a vacuum in the car or hire a deep clean, at least of the kitchen, bath and main bedroom. Look for bed in a box companies or Ikea for decent mattresses, although you don't need a new bedframe. As long as you have bed linen you can put it on the floor for the first few days and acquire a bed base later.

Research local Facebook and WhatsApp page and Facebook market place for second hand goods. Also the local charity shops, some have furniture stores. There's a decent chance of getting something from one of them. You could even use a folding camping chair initially which reverts to garden or travelling use later.

Also check for the nearest coin op laundry. That could see you through a couple of weeks while you sort out white goods. Is there anywhere to rig up a clothes line outside, or put up a drying rack? 

fourmarks

gwynlas said:

After you have signed contracts they need to be exchanged which might happen the same day. You and seller agree completion date and your solicitor asks mortgage lender for funds. You will be liable for all bills from completion it is important therefore to arrange building and contents insurance from that date.
For furnishings you could try BHF shops as they also do electrical, FB marketplace, Gumtree etc as well as any charity shops in your area. Remember to take your time it does not need to be perfect straightaway. Friends and family might be happy to pass on goods.

Slight oversight here, the insurance needs to be in place on the date of exchange, as that is the date the buyer becomes responsible for the property.

propertyrental

There are a few slightly misleading replies above

* signing contracts does NOT commit you or the other side. Your solicitor will keep your signed, undated contract in his file until.....

* Exchange of contracts. THIS is when the deal becomes legally binding. Your solicitor will ring you to check you still want to proceed, and what date for Completion. He will add these 2 dates to the contract you've already signed.

* from Exchange, you need to insure the building (unless it's a flat - already insured by the freeholder). You do not need contents insurance until you move in, though often it's easier to insure both together

* Completion. This may be same day as Exchange, or later (a few days? a week? a month? up to you and the seller to agree).

* On Completion day, your solicitor pays the money and you receive the keys. You can move in or not. Your house so up to you! But utilities & council tax are now your responsibility so read meters on Completion date. Usually you collect the keys from the estate agent, but again - up to you/seller to agree. He might hide them under a garden stone and tell you exactly where after he's got his money! Or leave with neighbour.

* mobile, BB etc, you can arrange after Exchange - not before.

* use google - there are lots of 'moving in lists' of who to inform (HMRC, pension, DVLA etc etc)

* research your white goods in advance - you can probably get next day delivery of w/machine etc, or to save money try auctions, freecycle etc - you can furnish a house for peanuts if you try!. I've seen 40" TVs go for £20 at auction.......

Robin9

Are you moving from rented ?   Then don't forget your outgoing meter reads

Stop buying groceries - except for milk, bread and veg; run down the fridge/freezer;   have a Tesco (others are available) delivery the day after you move in

FreeBear

propertyrental said: * research your white goods in advance - you can probably get next day delivery of w/machine etc, or to save money try auctions, freecycle etc - you can furnish a house for peanuts if you try!. I've seen 40" TVs go for £20 at auction.......

As long as there is a hob or microwave, most of the other white goods are not essential items.

Dishwasher - Many homes don't have one, and a bowl of hot water is sufficient.

Washing machine & dryer - A local launderette can be used for washing/drying of clothes & stuff. A w/m can be purchased when funds allow, and a clothes line will take care of the drying.

Fridge - This is probably the most useful/important item on the list. Depending on budget, the likes of Currys will deliver one next day. Or you can get one off freecycle/facebook - Helps to have a suitable vehicle to collect it if you go down that road.. Most foodstuff will survive for a day or two without being chilled, so a fridge doesn't have to be installed on moving in day.

AlexMac

Good luck Romepen. 

On a practical note, I can’t add much to the excellent advice above. 

From experience, however, and in respect of your Q;
”The estate agent… has informed that completion and key hand over can be done on the same day…” 
propertyrental says this is normal, but I’ve  experienced a problem with timing; the local EA refusing to release the keys til very late afternoon on completion day despite me knowing my solicitor had sent the money to the Buyer’s that morning. 

No problem unless you’re sitting outside with your life in the Removals Van, like me !  (I just broke in as I knew I’d paid and I always change the keys that day! We’d settled in and were making tea by the time the EA rang. I was tempted to tell him where to put em, but didn’t) 

On an emotional note, however, I wish you every success. I was exactly in your position in 1985 and it was strangely liberating to move into a house with virtually nothing after the end of a marriage. Fast forward almost 40 years and I’m doing great; happy, stable, wonderful spouse, rewarding grown up grand kids and, in material terms, almost too much “stuff”.   You’ll make it as you know how to cope. 

Romepen

Would you change all the locks, when moving into a house?