Moving In

Moving day is hectic, but there are several tasks that should be completed on day one. These protect you legally, financially, and practically.

Contact utility providers as soon as possible. You are responsible for all bills from the date of completion, even if you have not yet moved in.

You will automatically be supplied by the previous owner's provider, so the lights will work from day one. However, you should contact the existing supplier promptly and provide your meter readings. You can switch to a different supplier later once you are settled, but there is no rush. Comparison sites such as Uswitch, Compare the Market, and the Ofgem accredited services can help you find the best deal when you are ready.

Contact your local water company to register. Your water company is determined by your address and you cannot switch provider. Check whether your property is metered (you pay for what you use) or unmetered (you pay a fixed annual charge). If you are on a meter, take a reading on day one.

Contact your local council to register for council tax. You are liable from the date of completion. Set up a direct debit for monthly payments (typically over 10 months, April to January). If you are the only adult (aged 18 or over) living in the property, you qualify for a 25% single person discount. You must apply for this; it is not automatic. You are liable from the date of completion. Set up a direct debit for monthly payments (typically over 10 months, April to January). If you are the only adult (aged 18 or over) living in the property, you qualify for a 25% single person discount. You must apply for this; it is not automatic.

If you need broadband from day one, arrange this before your move. New installations can take 2 to 4 weeks. Check which providers serve your address and what speeds are available. If the property already has a broadband connection, you may be able to take over the existing line for a faster setup.

You need a TV licence if you watch or record live television on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer. The current cost is £169.50 per year (standard colour licence). You can pay monthly by direct debit. Register at tvlicensing.co.uk. If you genuinely do not watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you can declare this online, but you may be visited to verify.

Set up a Royal Mail redirection from your old address to your new one. This catches any post that has not been updated to your new address. Costs start at around £36 for 3 months, £51 for 6 months, or £68 for 12 months (prices may vary). You can set this up online at royalmail.com.

Your responsibilities as a homeowner differ significantly depending on whether you own a freehold or leasehold property.

If you own the freehold, you own the building and the land it sits on outright. You are responsible for everything.

• All maintenance and repairs: roof, walls, windows, plumbing, electrics, heating, and everything inside and outside
• Boundary fences and walls: check your title deeds to see which boundaries you are responsible for maintaining. The T mark on the title plan indicates responsibility (the T points toward the owner responsible for that boundary)
• Trees on your property: you are responsible for trees on your land, including any damage they cause to neighbouring properties
• Drains: you are responsible for drains within your property boundary up to the point they connect to the public sewer. The water company is responsible for the public sewer
• Planning and building regulations: any alterations or extensions require appropriate permissions

If you own a leasehold property (most commonly a flat), you own the right to live in the property for the term of the lease. The freeholder owns the building and the land.

Your service charge pays for the maintenance and management of the building and common areas. It typically covers building insurance, cleaning, gardening, lift maintenance, caretaker costs, and contributions to a reserve fund for major works. Your managing agent or freeholder should provide an annual breakdown. You have the right to challenge unreasonable charges.

New leases granted from 30 June 2022: ground rent is already set at a peppercorn (zero) under the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022. You should not be paying ground rent on a new lease.

Existing leases (pre June 2022): ground rent is payable as specified in your lease. Some leases have fixed ground rent; others have escalating clauses that can significantly increase over time.

Proposed reforms (January 2026): the government published the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill on 27 January 2026 proposing to cap ground rent at £250 per year for existing leases, reducing to a peppercorn (zero) after 40 years. The bill also proposes to abolish forfeiture (where a freeholder can seize your home for arrears as low as £350) and ban new leasehold flats. These proposals are not yet law; the bill must pass through Parliament first. If enacted, the ground rent cap could come into force in late 2028.

If your building has a managing agent, get their contact details on day one. Find out how to report maintenance issues, what the complaints process is, and who to contact in an emergency (such as a communal water leak or lift breakdown). Ask for a copy of the most recent service charge accounts and the current year's budget.

Good neighbour relationships make a significant difference to your quality of life. A little effort in the first week pays dividends for years.

• Introduce yourself within the first week. A knock on the door with a brief hello is enough
• If you are planning any renovation work, warn neighbours in advance about expected noise and timescales
• Exchange contact details (phone numbers) so you can reach each other about parcels, emergencies, or shared issues
• Ask about local information: bin collection days, parking arrangements, local shops, and any neighbourhood groups or apps

Your solicitor should have covered boundary ownership in their report on title before completion. The T marks on the title plan indicate who is responsible for maintaining each boundary fence or wall. If a T appears on your side, you are responsible for that boundary. If there is no T mark, responsibility may be shared or unclear. Discuss shared boundaries and maintenance with your neighbours early to avoid disputes later.

Beyond changing the locks on day one, review the overall security of your property within the first week.

• Window locks: check that all windows lock securely, including upstairs windows
• Burglar alarm: if one is fitted, get the code from the seller, test it, and change the code. Consider having it serviced
• External lighting: check that any motion sensor or security lights are working
• Neighbourhood Watch: check if there is a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme and register if so
• Smart locks and cameras: if the previous owner had smart home devices, ensure all accounts have been reset and are no longer linked to their devices

You need to update your address with a surprisingly large number of organisations. Work through this systematically to avoid missed post and potential security issues.

Create a filing system (physical or digital) for your key property documents. You will need to refer to these throughout your time as a homeowner.

• Mortgage offer and mortgage deed
• Title deeds and title plan (your solicitor will have sent these)
• Buildings and contents insurance policies
• Boiler and appliance warranties and instruction manuals
• Any guarantees for work done by the previous owner (damp proofing, roofing, etc.)
• NHBC or equivalent warranty certificate (new builds)
• EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
• Service charge accounts and lease (leasehold properties)
• Emergency contacts list

Write down these numbers and keep them somewhere visible (on the fridge or inside a kitchen cupboard). In an emergency, you need them immediately.

These are the mistakes that catch new homeowners out most often. Being aware of them will save you money and stress.

• Not taking meter readings on day one. This is the single most common and costly mistake. Without readings, you may end up paying for the previous owner's energy usage. Photograph every meter
• Forgetting contents insurance. Your buildings insurance (required by your mortgage lender) does not cover your belongings. If your home is burgled or flooded before you arrange contents insurance, you have no cover
• Ignoring small leaks. A dripping tap or weeping pipe joint may seem minor, but left untreated, water damage can be extensive and expensive. Fix leaks promptly
• Overspending on immediate changes. Resist the urge to redecorate or renovate everything in the first month. Live in the house first. You will understand the space much better after a few months and make wiser decisions about what to change
• Not registering on the electoral roll. This affects your credit score. Lenders use the electoral roll to verify your identity and address. Register promptly
• Assuming the boiler is fine. If the property has an older boiler, book a service within the first month. An annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer is essential for safety and keeps warranties valid
• Not checking the EPC. Your Energy Performance Certificate shows the property's energy efficiency rating and recommends improvements. Some of these improvements may be eligible for government grants or schemes