Buying a house - Questions to ask and things to do?

pmorrison_2 · 24 January 2010 at 2:23PM

Hi, my girlfriend and I are purchasing our first house and have a completion date of this Friday.

Are there any questions that I should be asking the buyers (eg where meters, fuse box etc) are? Im sure theres things we should ask but cant think of any!

Also, I assume that on completion we pick up the keys from the estate agents? As weve never done this before we dont really know.

If theres anything else that Ive missed out it would be much appreciated if someone could let me know!

hethmar · 24 January 2010 at 4:24PM

Not really - Im assuming you have asked most pertinent questions already and have lots of paperwork from the estate agents and solicitors. Normally the estate agents or the solicitor will hold the keys until the money has been transferred and is safely in the coffers. You ring them or they ring you and you collect them.

Insurance?
Removals?
You will need power, gas, water and phone, so find out from thesellers which firms supply the services, so that you can make them aware that the meters need reading and that you will become responsible for those utilities from that date.
Useful websites
www.ofwat.gov.uk – regulatory body for water.
www.ofgem.gov.uk – regulatory body for the gas and electricity markets.
www.ofcom.org.uk – regulatory body for communication

jangor_2 · 24 January 2010 at 4:33PM

From personal experience, are there window keys available? How does the boiler/timer work? Is there a knack to locking or unlocking any internal/external doors? Is there an attic ladder and how does this work? Where is the stopcock? Where are the gas/electric meters? What day does the refuse collection take place?

Milliewilly · 24 January 2010 at 4:38PM

The gas / electric meters position is supposed to be stated on the new sellers property information form as is the position of the stopcock.

Take readings as soon as you get there and ring the supplier - you should have copies of the last bill via your solicitor from the vendors to find out the supplier.

Usually you pickup the keys from the EA.

pmorrison_2 · 24 January 2010 at 5:09PM

Thanks guys, a couple of suggestions there that I hadnt thought of!

poppysarah · 24 January 2010 at 5:11PM

And don't forget to take last readings of gas/elec where you are now

pmorrison_2 · 24 January 2010 at 5:19PM

We are both currently living with out parents so no readings to take and no need to move everything at once, removes a bit of the stress!

Buying a house - Questions to ask and things to do?

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