Just bought a house in the UK? Congratulations! Buying a property is a big achievement, especially if it’s your first.
However, while you’ll likely be filled with excitement, there are some essential first things to do after buying a house that you’ll need to be aware of. And there are also plenty of things not to do after buying a house, too.
In this post, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of things to do after you buy a house. We’re going to help you consider the legal, financial, and practical steps that you should take.
While you might be looking to pop the champagne and bask in the glory of having property in your name, it’s important to get organised — in doing so, you’ll be helping to avoid some potential complications further down the line.
When wonder what things you should do after buying a house in the UK, you’ll probably come across loads of different advice. From articles that tell you to pop the champagne and sit down for a while, to throwing a house warming party. After all, buying property is stressful.
However, there are some steps that you’ll need to take care of immediately after completion. Here's what ranks at the top of our “must do’s” to do - immediately after completion:
One of the first things you should do after getting the keys is to ensure your new home is secure. It’s a good idea to change the locks on all external doors. as you can’t be certain who might still have copies of the original keys.
Take the time to check all windows and doors to ensure they close and lock properly. This will give you peace of mind, knowing your property is safe and secure from the start. Upgrading any outdated security systems is also something to consider.
As soon as you move in, it’s important to take meter readings for your gas, electricity, and water. Doing this ensures you’re only billed for what you use from the day of completion.
Make sure to note down the readings carefully and contact your utility providers to provide these figures. Setting up your accounts with the correct start date will prevent any disputes about energy usage or billing from previous occupants. This will help ensure you're charged accurately for your own consumption.
Once you’ve taken meter readings, your next priority is setting up or transferring your utilities. Contact your providers to confirm that your gas, electricity, water, and internet services are active.
You may also want to compare prices and tariffs to make sure you're getting the best deal for your household needs. Things like energy providers, broadband, phone suppliers and so on. Don’t forget to set up direct debits where possible to avoid any interruptions in service.
Update Your Address
Notify the relevant authorities and institutions of your change of address. This includes your bank, HMRC, DVLA (for your driving licence), and any other services.
Redirect your post through the Royal Mail’s mail forwarding service to avoid missing important letters.
Conduct a thorough inspection to ensure everything is in the condition you expected.
Check for any issues like leaks, broken appliances, or damages that weren’t noted during the final viewing.
Sometimes, problems that weren't obvious during the initial viewings can surface after you move in, so it's essential to make a thorough inspection. If any significant issues arise, you may need to contact your solicitor or the seller to address these concerns and find a resolution.
Introducing yourself to your new neighbours is a great way to settle into your community. Taking the time to introduce yourself builds a positive relationship from the start, which can be beneficial for keeping an eye on each other’s property, especially when you’re away.
Your neighbours can also offer valuable insights into local services, bin collection schedules, and any important community information you might not be aware of. A friendly introduction can pave the way for a harmonious living environment and support within your local area.
Ensure your home insurance policy is active from the day you move in. Confirm that the coverage suits your needs and adjust if necessary.
It’s important to review your policy details, particularly in terms of buildings and contents insurance.
After completing the above, you can turn your attention to the below. We’ve categorised these into 3 areas:
There are a series of legal and financial tasks that should be on your list of things to do after buying a house. It’s best to do this as soon as possible to avoid any complications.
You’ll need to register the property under your name with the Land Registry. This will likely be handled by your solicitor, but it’s best to check — it is, after all, an essential part of the process.
You’ll also have to update the local council that you’ve moved. They’ll need to know where you’re living, to ensure that you’re being charged the right council tax band. Other organisations who’ll need to know your new address are the DVLA, your banks, HMRC, and so on. It’s best to set aside a day to update all of your addresses at once. You can usually do all of these things online, but you’ll need to have some personal details handy. To ensure this process is as smooth as possible, gather your key information — such as any login details you’ll need — before you move.
Finally, set up your mortgage payments, if required, that’ll allow your provider to automatically take payments each month. Make sure you’re aware of when the first payment is due.
Now that you've got the administrative things to do after buying a house out of the way, it’ll be time to get to work on ensuring that your home is safe and comfortable.
It’s recommended to invest in the maintenance of your heating system, including getting your boiler serviced, to ensure that you can stay nice and warm in your new home, especially if you’re moving during the chillier months of the year.
Investing in a security system, such as a burglar alarm or CCTV, will help you to feel more comfortable in your new property, especially if you’re moving to a new area. It’s also essential to check that the property’s smoke and carbon monoxide systems are working correctly.
You’ll feel more comfortable in a clean home, so even if the property appears clean, it’s best to give it a thorough clean soon after moving in. Too tired to do the job yourself? Hire a cleaning team for the day.
It can take a little bit of time before you feel truly at home in your new abode. You can speed up this process by taking the time to organise and personalise the space. This is actually one of the fun things to do after buying a house since many of the tasks involved in the process are simply enjoyable.
For example, you’ll feel more at home if you know the local area, so why not go exploring and discover your new favourite cafe, bar, or restaurant? You’ll discover plenty more spaces through the case of living in your new home, but those early discoveries will always hold a special place in your heart.
Other things to do after you buy a house include, of course, unpacking all of your belongings! In truth, you probably won’t do all of this in a single day. If you’re unpacking slowly, then start with the items that belong in the most important rooms, such as the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. It’ll help you feel at home more quickly.
While it can be nice to spend a couple of days without the internet — you also won’t have much time to browse anyway — you’ll want to get set up with an internet connection and maybe a phone line from a provider as soon as possible.
Your previous provider might give you the option of quickly getting connected, but if not, you’ll need to find a new provider. It’s a good opportunity to shop around and get a good deal.
Finally, get to work on personalising your new home with photos, personal items, and arranging your furniture. Feeling at home in a new property is a process, but you’ll get there!
There are a bunch of things to do after you buy a house that should be on your list. But it’s equally important to be aware of the common mistakes that many new homeowners make — and these should not be on your list of things to do immediately after buying a house.
We’ll run through some of the primary things to avoid below.
Avoid Major Renovations Right Away
You might be eager to begin work on your property, but it’s generally best to be a little bit patient. You’ll have a better understanding of the space if you’ve lived in the property for a while, which will ensure that you make the right kind of adjustments to the space.
Don’t Ignore Small Repairs
Handling small repairs as soon as possible provides two benefits: first, it’ll help to improve the overall livability of your new property. Second, it’ll help to minimise the risk of bigger, more expensive repairs later down the line. Even small repair jobs don’t take care of themselves, so get out your toolbox and get to work (or hire someone to do the job for you).
Don’t Overspend On Furniture
As with making major renovations, it’s best to avoid making any big decor decisions straightaway, including the type of furniture you’ll buy. You’ll have a better understanding of what’s needed if you’ve lived in the property for a little while. An extra large sofa might look logical when you first move in, but not after you’ve lived there for a month or so. Patience is key!
If you’ve bought your property not for yourself to live, but to rent out, then the list of things to do after buying a house will be a little different.
The 1st thing to do after buying a house to let is to tell the local council that you’re planning to rent out the property. They’ll need to know for council tax reasons.
After that, you’ll need to get to work on ensuring the property meets the legal requirements of a to-rent property. For example, ensuring electrical safety standards are met, you have gas safety certificates, and that safety equipment such as smoke alarms are in place.
Once the property is in rentable condition, it’ll be time to identify and interview tenants. It’s important to set up tenancy agreement templates; while it’s not required, they can offer another level of protection beyond the legal framework.
Most people want to simply relax after they’ve bought a house. However, it’s well worth working your way through the list of things to do after buying a house. In doing so, you’ll be helping to smoothen the transition into your new home, ensuring you feel safe and comfortable there as soon as possible. Plus, you’ll need to let some important organisations, such as your bank and others, know that you now live at a new address.
If you need any help with the house buying process, we can help you. Our team of conveyancing solicitors will guide you through every step of the way. At TBI we eliminate the stress from any house move. Contact us today.
