Buying a house is a huge and often stressful procedure, whether it’s your first home or your fifth. From getting a mortgage to putting in an offer to getting all the paperwork finalised, it can leave you feeling drained by the time it’s finally over and you’ve got the keys to your new property.
Moving into your new home is only the start of the journey, though. One mortgage broker has claimed there are actually several other checks and balances you need to make once you’ve moved in that could help save you money and keep you safe as you start your life in your new home.
These tips can apply to anyone, but expert Lewis Shaw directed his TikTok video at first-time buyers. First-time buyers have never moved into a new home before, so they’re more likely to need help with some of the finer details.
In his video, Lewis stated: “No one tells first-time buyers these eight things when you’re moving into your first home. But if you don’t [do them] you could end up broke, stressed, or even unsafe.”
The tips range from making your home more secure to advice on getting settled into the new area – and some commenters have hailed them as “game-changers.”
1. Change the locks
First on Lewis’ list is to change the locks to your new home as soon as you can. He argued that you never know who still has keys to your property from the previous owners, so it’s a good idea to get a locksmith in to change the lock and keep your house safe.
2. Take meter readings
As soon as you move into a new property, Lewis says you should take note of what the gas and electric meter readings are and document them with photo evidence. This is so you can prove what the readings were when you took ownership of the property, so that you don’t end up paying somebody else’s bills.
3. Register on the electoral roll
You will need to update your electoral roll information in order to be registered to vote in the area you’ve moved to. While doing this, you can also get in touch with the council to sort out your council tax. Lewis stated this is vital as you “don’t want to be in arrears before you’ve even started”.
4. Update your address
Your address will need to be updated everywhere when you move somewhere new, including on your payslips, your driving licence, car insurance, and bank statements. Lewis also recommended setting up a redirect so that any mail that is sent marked with your old address can find its way to you.
He explained: “Otherwise, you’re potentially leaving yourself open to identity fraud.”
5. Register with a GP and dentist
Lewis urged people not to leave it until they’re ill or have a toothache to sign up with their local GP or dental surgery. Sometimes, areas can have waiting lists, so you might end up needing to wait several months before you can be registered as a patient – which isn’t ideal if you leave it until you need urgent care.
6. Sort your internet provider
The mortgage broker said sorting your internet provider should be done as soon as you know when your completion dates are. This is because you can then book for the router to be delivered and fitted on the same day so that you have a working internet connection as soon as you move in.
7. Introduce yourself to your neighbours
Once you’ve settled in, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself to your neighbours. If you’re living in a house, this may just be the one or two houses directly on either side of you, but in a flat, you may also want to make yourself known to the person living below and above you – especially if there are any issues with noise in the future.
8. Find out when bin day is
While you’re visiting your neighbours, Lewis said you should ask them when their bins are collected. You’ll likely have cardboard boxes and other loose ends to throw away once you’re finished unpacking, and knowing when to put your bins out can help you get rid of that rubbish quickly.