First Time Buyer Guide
Step 7 of 7: Completion
With all the paperwork out of the way, it’s time to move into your new home.
Completion day checklist:
- Has your solicitor transferred payment to the seller? If you have a mortgage, this money will have been sent from your lender to your solicitor.
- Have you received the keys to the property?
- Has your solicitor received the Transfer Deed, originals of any important documents, and registered you as the owner?
- Has your solicitor completed a tax return to pay the Stamp Duty Land Tax? You’ll need to sign this before sending.
Four weeks before moving out:
- Have you confirmed the date you’ll be moving in?
- Have you booked time off work?
- Have you started thinking about and planning your removal?
- Does your home insurance content cover you for the move?
- If not, have you arranged for separate cover?
- Have you put together a moving pack with all the essentials you’ll need such as a kettle, mugs, light bulbs, toilet paper?
- Have you let all your telephone, utility companies, bank and other key parties know when you are moving?
Two weeks before moving:
- Have you told your local authority your new address and moving date?
- Have you redirected your post (if appropriate)?
- Have you arranged to take over the phone in your new home? Contact the line operator to see if you can keep the line switched on and avoid any reconnection charges.
One week before moving:
- Have you packed the majority of your items?
- Do you know what time you’ll be able to move?
- Have you confirmed all details with your removal company?
- Have you asked the previous owners to show you where the gas, electricity and water meters are, and where you can find the fuse box and stop cocks?
- Are all the window and door keys labelled and easily available?
Day before moving:
- Have you packed a moving day survival kit with all you need such as tea and coffee?
- Have you settled all your bills?
Moving day checklist:
- Read the meters in your new and old homes.
