Idiots guide to a new home

**hexagon** · 26 Feb 20, 04:07 PM

My offer has been accepted on a house, and completion is the 31st March, so soon. Although I’m not moving in till end of April beginning of May.

And to be quite honest I’m baffled. I have no idea what the hell im doing in regards to electricity and gas, internet, and whatever other housey things I need to sort out. I’ve a few people to help me but I’d like to know a bit about it myself too.

Can anyone give me a brief rundown or point me somewhere that can, I’ve googled but I’m still confused.

Thanks.

tspill · 26 Feb 20, 04:22 PM

When we moved last year, on the day we moved out we just called the electric and gas company. We called around about a month in advance and gave them the move out date.
As regards phone / BB, you have two options. You can do what's called a "home move" with your existing supplier. Then service will be switched over on a specific day.
Ig you want either a gap or not homes having service at the same time for a bit, then you need to cancel the old and get a new service at the new address (not necessarily the same supplier). This is what we did as we need service for a while at both houses.

You will need double insurance as well. Be careful of any conditions for non-occupancy for the house you aren't living in. Easiest may be to get a new policy on the new house and cancel the old when completion of the sale and you contractually dont own it.

**hexagon** · 26 Feb 20, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by tspill

When we moved last year, on the day we moved out we just called the electric and gas company. We called around about a month in advance and gave them the move out date.
As regards phone / BB, you have two options. You can do what's called a "home move" with your existing supplier. Then service will be switched over on a specific day.
Ig you want either a gap or not homes having service at the same time for a bit, then you need to cancel the old and get a new service at the new address (not necessarily the same supplier). This is what we did as we need service for a while at both houses.

You will need double insurance as well. Be careful of any conditions for non-occupancy for the house you aren't living in. Easiest may be to get a new policy on the new house and cancel the old when completion of the sale and you contractually dont own it.

Thanks.

I’m moving out of my dads house, so no need to switch things between homes. All advice I find relates to switching things between homes.

Guest · 26 Feb 20, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by hexagon

My offer has been accepted on a house, and completion is the 31st March, so soon. Although I’m not moving in till end of April beginning of May.

And to be quite honest I’m baffled. I have no idea what the hell im doing in regards to electricity and gas, internet, and whatever other housey things I need to sort out. I’ve a few people to help me but I’d like to know a bit about it myself too.

Can anyone give me a brief rundown or point me somewhere that can, I’ve googled but I’m still confused.

Thanks.

That is a very tight timeline. TO be honest I wouldn't be worrying about utilities just yet, I would focus on the conveyancing and deal with utilities and so on when you move in.

bernard301 · 26 Feb 20, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by hexagon

Thanks.

I’m moving out of my dads house, so no need to switch things between homes. All advice I find relates to switching things between homes.

to be fair, the advice is pretty much the same.

You will need buildings insurance from the date of exchange of contracts (in your name) With regards utilities, contact the water company, let them know when you will be moving and arrange for your accounts to be created.
Select your preferred utility company and call them, explaining your completion date and then when arriving at the property record meter readings (preferably take photos with the meter serial nos) and do the same with your phone/internet company.

You will also need to register with your local council for council tax.

The most important thing is the buildings insurance as it will be a condition of your mortgage and getting your meter readings otherwise your accounts will be based on the readings provided by the previous readings, if they provide anything at all.

Oh and if you have them, make sure your car registration, insurance and your driving license address details are all updated

**hexagon** · 26 Feb 20, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by bernard301

to be fair, the advice is pretty much the same.

You will need buildings insurance from the date of exchange of contracts (in your name) With regards utilities, contact the water company, let them know when you will be moving and arrange for your accounts to be created.
Select your preferred utility company and call them, explaining your completion date and then when arriving at the property record meter readings (preferably take photos with the meter serial nos) and do the same with your phone/internet company.

You will also need to register with your local council for council tax.

The most important thing is the buildings insurance as it will be a condition of your mortgage and getting your meter readings otherwise your accounts will be based on the readings provided by the previous readings, if they provide anything at all.

Oh and if you have them, make sure your car registration, insurance and your driving license address details are all updated

Thanks. Luckily I don’t have to do water as that’s in with the council tax.

DisneyDaffodil · 26 Feb 20, 06:41 PM

Our son and his fiancée moved into their first house last year and they had a tight timeframe but they were fine. They found the website below very useful

moneysavingexpert/mo...use-checklist/

It’s really important to have your insurance in place as soon as you complete. Then your utilities need to be sorted, council tax, redirect mail, tv and broadband suppliers and home phone. It seems a long list but it’s quite straightforward, just tackle one at a time and work through. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new home. Our son was exhausted and stressed the month before he moved and the week he moved in but by the following weekend, he was enjoying relaxing in front of his tv on his comfy new sofa 😀

26 Feb 20, 04:22 PM	#2
	26 Feb 20, 04:22 PM tspill Imagineer
tspill Imagineer Join Date: Feb 13	When we moved last year, on the day we moved out we just called the electric and gas company. We called around about a month in advance and gave them the move out date. As regards phone / BB, you have two options. You can do what's called a "home move" with your existing supplier. Then service will be switched over on a specific day. Ig you want either a gap or not homes having service at the same time for a bit, then you need to cancel the old and get a new service at the new address (not necessarily the same supplier). This is what we did as we need service for a while at both houses. You will need double insurance as well. Be careful of any conditions for non-occupancy for the house you aren't living in. Easiest may be to get a new policy on the new house and cancel the old when completion of the sale and you contractually dont own it. Edited at 04:24 PM.