Conveyancing Explained

July 11, 2008

You probably know all these things already, but I’ve compiled a list of reminders for you to use in what can be a very stressful time!

On the day of completion;-

• Make sure the seller has taken meter readings for the electricity and gas supplies and has telephoned the relevant company. It’s prudent to get the details of the companies concerned and do the readings yourself just to make sure.
• Make sure the seller has given you all the keys, including for window locks, the shed, garage etc.
• Make sure the seller has provided you with the alarm code for the burglar alarm.
• Make sure that the seller has left any manuals relevant for items left in the property such as the boiler/burglar alarm/cooker etc, together with any original documents that they agreed to leave in the property rather than send through solicitors.
• Check the property thoroughly to make sure that no items that were supposed to be included in the sale have been removed.
• Check that no damage has been caused in the removal of the seller’s items.
• Ensure that your buildings insurance is in place because the seller is no longer responsible for insuring the property.

In the following days;-

• Make sure the utility companies know that the seller has vacated the property and has your new details.
• Visit www.uswitch.com to make sure you’re getting a good deal from the current provider. If not, switch! Personally, in the Teesside area, I’ve found that Atlantic Electric & Gas are pretty cheap.
• Notify the Council that the seller has vacated the property and you have moved in to make sure you receive council tax bills (a pain I know, but better this than a backlog of fees!).
• Notify the Water Company that the seller has vacated the property and you have moved in. Check whether the water is metered if you don’t already know.
• Make sure you apply for a TV licence.
• Change your address with all the relevant companies/clubs/banks etc. See my Change of Address document, which you can download for free.