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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder wtf happens next when you buy as a FTB?

25 replies

WinetimeBeckons · 31/03/2022 22:41

I've just bought a mid terrace house and got the keys. What happens next? I've a single parent and I've been a tenant for 20 years. Where do I even start? No adults to bounce off around here :-D

OP posts:
Original poster
WinetimeBeckons · 31/03/2022 22:46

I feel like a rabbit in the headlights. Some bits are obvious. Like hire a moving company. But otherwise, I'm not sure what I should be doing. Ten years of being a single mum to a disabled child, I'm a bit isolated and I don't feel I have people to ask any more.

OP posts:
Ohshitiveturnedintomymother · 31/03/2022 22:47

Movers, insurance, decorating, gardening?

Lots to plan, how exciting! Good luck

Shamoo · 31/03/2022 22:48

Congratulations!! How exciting for you. You must be so happy!!

First thing to do is a meter reading on moving in and provide to whoever the current gas/electric supplier is. Then have a look to see if you would get a better rate with somebody else and switch.

Set up your water account, council tax etc. accounts.

Do you need to sort broadband?

Oh and the main thing, enjoy!!!

alwayswrighty · 31/03/2022 22:48

What do you mean what happens next?

If you haven't done so already take meter readings for gas, electric, water. Call the utilities and switch them to you. Call council and sort council tax, etc.

Make the house your home.

Original poster
WinetimeBeckons · 31/03/2022 22:48

Feels like the bit after a university degree where you think "Ok. Everything was clear up until now. What next?"

OP posts:
Shamoo · 31/03/2022 22:48

Oh yes, sort your insurance (buildings and contents).

Original poster
WinetimeBeckons · 31/03/2022 22:49

I've arranged insurance.

OP posts:
Original poster
WinetimeBeckons · 31/03/2022 22:50

In terms of meters, there was some bizarre pre-pay smart meter thing which does not seem to have any numbers.

OP posts:
ReadyToMoveIt · 31/03/2022 22:51

Err… move in? Inform the utilities companies that you’ve moved in. Live there.

Original poster
WinetimeBeckons · 31/03/2022 22:51

I didn't know water meters are a universal thing.

OP posts:
FloraPostePosts · 31/03/2022 22:51

Take meter readings of gas and electricity meters, and arrange for your supplier of choice to take over supply to you.

Change locks so that anyone who had a spare key is no longer able to let themselves in.

Contact the local council tax department and let them know you’re the new owner and will be the only adult occupant - you will qualify for a 25% discount.

You’ll already have arranged your buildings insurance but get contents insurance in place if you haven’t got a joint policy with the buildings.

Other people will be along to help too, I’m sure.

Congratulations on your new home!

JackieWeaversLaptop · 31/03/2022 22:52

Congrats OP!!

I’ve found a couple of sites that might help (weirdly, all the sites I could find were US-based rather than UK, but the advice looks fairly general) -

Sorry I can’t offer personal experience; hoping to get on the property ladder at some point though!

fallfallfall · 31/03/2022 22:52

is it ready to move into or does it need a deep clean and some work (painting, carpets etc).
have you contacted electric/gas/etc to let them know about the home and the need to bill you for services?
when and how do you plan to get your furniture from one spot to the next?

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 31/03/2022 22:52

First off, congratulations!
Are you talking in aspects of practicalities?
So:
Utilities/phone etc - contact them and move them across to new address/set up new accounts
Moving - get a company in that packs and moves if you can afford it, makes things so much more straight forward. Otherwise,be methodical with your packing, room by room and write clearly on EVERY box what room it's for.
Post - set up a 3 month royal mail forwarder and as each letter comes through contact the company to update your details, easiest way of tracking it ime

Thats all I can think of right now, there will be more experienced people about

Ooooo don't forget make sure essentials (tea, toilet roll etc are easy accessible)

Trivium4all · 31/03/2022 22:53
  1. Make sure everything important (e.g. water, leccy, heat) works. Arrange to fix whatever doesn't work.
  2. When you're moving, make sure that everything you need in the first week is consolidated in a small number of boxes that are clearly labelled.
  3. Once your stuff has been moved (make sure movers know to which room boxes go), put furniture together.
  4. Then, gradually unpack: for example, you could do one room per day, or a certain number of boxes per day. If there's no need to open a box, consider storing it intact until you can decide if you really need that stuff (I have a shed full of stuff from 10 years ago...).
  5. I assume all your utilities (inc. internet) have been transferred? You should probably actually do that first...
  6. You'll figure out the rest as you go along.
Svalberg · 31/03/2022 22:53

@WinetimeBeckons

I didn't know water meters are a universal thing.
Did it say in the documents that your solicitor sent that there was a water meter? It should say if there is or isn't one.
Original poster
WinetimeBeckons · 31/03/2022 22:54

Thanks all. What happens if I'm moving from one borough to another? Do I need to pay two sets of council tax? My tenancy is overlapping slightly.

OP posts:
Womencanlift · 31/03/2022 22:57

Utilities as pp have said above: gas, electric, water (if in England). I have just moved home and no gas and electric suppliers are taking on new customers right now so only thing you can do is sign up with whoever already provides it to your new house.

Register for council tax and electric roll

Change address for anything you already have eg driving license, insurance etc

If you need to buy things like plates, pots and pans etc then if you can plan a trip to Ikea or even go to places like Wilko

If you work remember to change your contact details with your HR department

I am sure there is more but I can’t think right now. Best of luck

ReadyToMoveIt · 31/03/2022 22:59

@WinetimeBeckons

Thanks all. What happens if I'm moving from one borough to another? Do I need to pay two sets of council tax? My tenancy is overlapping slightly.
Council tax is property specific so if you have 2 properties at the same time then yes, you have an overlap in council tax payments
SparklyLeprechaun · 31/03/2022 23:00

Move
Open a bottle of wine
Sort out utilities, council tax, broadband
Arrange mail redirection
Change address with bank, dvla, work etc
Change locks if you want to
If you pay service charges, sort that out
Say hello to the neighbours
Decorate
...
and just enjoy your new home

HELLITHURT · 31/03/2022 23:04

Oh bless you!

First of all, a huge pay on your own back, you got through the minefield of a house purchase!

I'm not going to try to advise, because I'll miss something.

But google what do I need to do when I've moved to my first house, it'll all be there.

Then enjoy ..............

greyinganddecaying · 31/03/2022 23:07

Any "work" such as painting, decorating, fitting or pulling up carpets, (also wiring and plumbing) etc try to do before you move furniture in - it's much quicker.

BluebellsGreenbells · 31/03/2022 23:11

The solitons contact the utility companies and council tax etc for your new property - surprising how quick the bills arrive.

HELLITHURT · 31/03/2022 23:11

@greyinganddecaying

Any "work" such as painting, decorating, fitting or pulling up carpets, (also wiring and plumbing) etc try to do before you move furniture in - it's much quicker.
God yes! Cheaper as well as the days works are reduced if they don't have to keep moving furniture etc.
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