Keys collected! What’s next?
I was so focused on completion day and finally owning our own home that I hadn’t really thought about what we needed to do after collecting the keys!
Luckily, there were some useful tips from the estate agent to get us started. It surprised me how much there was to do so I’ve shared our list below.
On completion day (after collecting the keys)
1. Checked address is registered on Royal Mail
The address needs to be registered to receive post and set up utilities. You can register over the phone or online and the estate agent advised this could take up to 48 hours.
I first checked whether our address was registered on Royal Mail using their postcode finder. As our flat is a new build, we didn’t think it would be registered but it turns out it was. I think this is because our flat was build complete when we made the offer so the developer had registered the property to pay utilities.
If your new build home isn’t registered, you can use this link to inform Royal Mail.
2. Took meter readings
We took photos of the water, electricity and gas meter readings on the day we completed as we needed them when we set up our utilities. We also sent it to the developer as they would need it to pay the final bill which would be up until the day we completed.
Tip: Don’t forget to find out who the utility providers are!
3. Checked post
There was post addressed to the developer at our address so we asked for an address to forward on the letters.
4. Tested the hot water, flush and heating
We tested them so we could inform the developer immediately if there were any major defects and so they could be fixed before we moved in.
5. Checked that fixtures and fittings matched the specification in the marketing materials
Other tasks that we did after completion day
1. Read through the information pack
2. Made a snagging list
I’ve written a post on snags with links to useful checklists. This took us hours!
3. Registered all the appliances in the flat
This was so that we could activate the warranty.
Tip: Take pictures of all the serial numbers for the appliances so you can easily refer back to them in the future.
4. Set up utilities and services (e.g. gas, electric, water, Council Tax, internet)
Tip: Check your home is in the correct council tax band when you get your first bill!
I didn’t and recently received a letter to say the band for our property is being reviewed by the Valuation Office Agency as they think it might need to be changed. If I hadn’t received this letter, I probably wouldn’t have realised there was an issue!
5. Informed companies and providers about my new address
There’s a useful reminder of organisations and companies to contact about the address change on Which?.
Tip: If you are worried that you might still be receiving post at your previous address, you can always redirect your post through Royal Mail.
6. Obtained quotes for the removal company
Others might do this before completion day but as we didn’t move in until 6 weeks after we received the keys, we only started getting quotes after we completed.
7. Checked on the council website for when bins are collected
8. Changed energy suppliers to get a cheaper deal
We initially signed up with the existing supplier for convenience and used a tariff which didn’t have exit fees as we knew that once we had settled in, we would look for a cheaper deal. We used the Cheap Energy Club by MoneySavingExpert.com which helped us to find the best deal. We even received cashback!
9. Registered to vote at the new address
10. Bought home contents insurance
As we bought a leasehold property, the freehold owner is responsible for arranging the building insurance and we arranged the contents insurance.
The mortgage provider will typically require you to have building insurance in place when you exchange contracts. Our contents insurance is for possessions in the home and so we didn't buy it until we moved in but you may wish to buy it earlier.
I have included some useful websites which explain building and contents insurance below:
- Citizen's Advice - Building Insurance
- Citizen's Advice - Contents Insurance
Congratulations on your new home and hope you settle in soon!
Jess
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