Moving Home
Moving Home
Moving home can be very stressful. We have provided information which we hope will help you through the process.
The link in the right column - 'town guides' - will provide you with some basic information on your new location, whether moving into or out of the borough. Further local information can be found on the link for "Up my street", just add the town or post code to refine your search.
Council Tax
One thing to consider when moving home is the Council Tax band that your new property will be in. Please see our Internet pages to find out more about Council Tax levels in Castle Point.
Looking for a mortgage
There are many mortgage providers around that all want your business. Shop around to find a mortgage that best suits your circumstances, don't just take the first offer.
For more mortgage advice, including an explanation of the different types of mortgages available take a look at www.bbc.co.uk/rightmoves
Financial Advice
There are a number of hidden charges to consider when moving house, listed below are just a few to consider.
Stamp Duty
A property that costs more than £120,000 will attract stamp duty. Stamp duty is a government tax on property purchases, which is usually itemised with your solicitor's bill.
Arrangement Fee
The arrangement fee covers the administrative expenses involved in setting up your home loan.
Valuation Fee
It is strongly recommended that you have a thorough survey carried out on the property you are going to buy, as this will tell you about its condition and highlight any specific problems. There are three types of survey available and your mortgage provider will arrange one of these for you.
Legal Fees
You will need a solicitor to help you through the legal aspects of buying a house. Fees can vary, so it might be worth getting quotations from two or three different firms.
Legal Advice
It is important to get legal advice when buying or selling a home. Your solicitor will do a number of searches in relation to the house that you are buying including making sure that the people selling the house actually own it. They will also arrange the transfer of deeds and the signing of contracts.
Selling a home
There are a number of ways that you can sell your home. You can use an estate agent or you can sell your home yourself, advertising in the local free press. There are many Estate Agents around and their fees vary greatly so shop around and ask friends and family for recommendations.
Tips for selling your home
First impressions count. Make sure that the entrance to your home is clear of any debris and the front door looks neat and tidy.
Aroma. Don't go mad with the air freshener. Some top aroma tips are to put a vanilla pod in the oven or grill a coffee bean.
Tidy up. Make sure that you pay particular attention to your bathroom and kitchen, a buyer will.
Clear out clutter and personal effects. Potential buyers are looking for a property that they can see themselves living in. Too many personal effects and clutter will make it more difficult for them to do this.
Avoid crowd scenes. Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they are likely to rush through.
Watch your pets. Pets have a talent for getting under foot, so try to keep them out of the way.
Renting a home
When looking for a home to rent you can look in the local press, or many estate agents advertise homes to rent.
Help with rent
If you are claiming Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance or have a low income you may be able to claim Housing Benefit. Housing Benefit is a government scheme to help you pay your rent.
Who to inform about your move
Council
Your local council services including Council Tax and Election Registration
Utilities
Arrange to have all meters read on the day or the day before you move.
Telephone
Notify your phone company. If you are with a cable company or are moving within the same exchange area you may be able to keep the same number.
Car
You will need to inform your motor insurance company, breakdown service and the DVLA as It is illegal to have a driving licence with an incorrect address. DVLA no longer issues paper driving licences- you can now apply for a photocard driving licence. The instructions on your paper licence on how to change your address no longer apply. If you hold a paper driving licence and you need to notify a change of address you must now complete a D750 application form (available from most Post Offices) to notify the change. The DVLA will also need to amend your car registration document.
DSS/Benefits
You need to inform the benefits agency if you are claiming any benefits including child benefit.
Bank
Your bank needs your new address including any banks or building societies where you hold a savings account.
Have your post redirected by filling in a form at the post office. The charges for this vary depending on the length of time that you need this service.
Contents Insurance
Tell your insurer your new address and moving date and make sure that you are covered during the move. Otherwise you may invalidate your insurance.
Changing Schools
It is generally in a child's best interest to remain at the same school. If this is not practical, you should speak to the headteacher of your child's current school and request a transfer form.
If your child is at the end of primary or secondary education, you should consider whether it is possible to time your house move to avoid unnecessary disruption. GCSE options are often very difficult to match at a new school.
Changing Health Care
If you are moving into a different town or area it may be necessary to change your GP, Dentist, Optician, etc. This is something that you will have to discuss with your individual healthcare professionals.
The Move
Four Months Before Moving
Get rid of all that clutter. Consider doing a car boot sale or donating to charity. Be ruthless if it's been in the loft for 2 years and you've not missed it you're unlikely to use it again.
Three Months Before Moving
Make arrangements with moving company or reserve a rental van. Get at least three quotes and go with a reputable company, ask friends for recommendations.
Two Months Before Moving
Make up a standard change-of-address letter or find out about getting cards printed with your new address and phone number. Investigate which companies supply fuel to your new home and what they charge. You've got time to compare rates and find the cheapest supplier.
One Month Before Moving
Once you have your completion date you can start informing people of your new address.
Start packing. You can start off your packing now by packing things like seasonal items (Christmas decorations etc) and items that you definitely know you won't be using.
Make arrangements for transporting pets.
Take an inventory of your belongings before they're packed, in case you need to fill in an insurance claim later. Start using up food items, so that there is less left to pack and possibly spoil.
One To Two Weeks Before Moving
Arrange for people to help you on moving day. Switch utility services to new address.
Defrost freezer and refrigerator. Place deodoriser inside to control odours.
Cancel future milk and newspaper deliveries and settle bills.
Send out final moving notification letters, follow the checklist above.
Reconfirm the important things (removal company, key exchanges etc.) two or three days before the move.
The Night Before
Make sure you have a box of essentials, including a first-aid kit, regular medication, a few light bulbs, a toilet roll, your kettle with tea-making things and clean bed linen. Take this in your car with you on moving day.
On Moving Day
Double check, closet, drawers, shelves, attic and garage to be sure that they are empty. Carry important documents, money and jewellery yourself.
After arriving at your new home
Locate the hospitals, police stations, and vets near your home.
Packing
Work out what packing items you will need; cardboard boxes of all sizes, large plastic bags, industrial strength packing tape and a permanent marker.
FRAGILE stickers in an eye catching colour, scissors, bubble wrap or newspapers.
Use towels and linen for packing fragile items. It's a good idea to begin with items that you know you definitely won't be using such as seasonal items and clothing. Put heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in large boxes. Instead of packing a room at a time pack the least commonly used items in each room this will mean that you can start packing sooner.
Bedrooms
Start with a bedroom. Pack up all the clothes that you know you won't be wearing before the move (such as seasonal items) before the move. Continue this process with all the bedrooms.
Bathrooms
Go to the bathroom and pack up all the items that are not necessary. Pack toothbrushes and cleaning items in a handy overnight bag.
Children's Toys
Most children have more than their fair share of toys. Pack up the some toys now but remember to leave out favourites. This is a good time to donate or sell any items that the children have outgrown. There is no point packing up items that your children will not play with once moved.
Kitchen
Start emptying the shelves in the kitchen.
After you have done each room once around, you are getting closer to your moving date. You can then continue in each room, packing up those items which are now not likely to be needed.
Label the contents of all boxes and which room in the new house they should end up in. If you've got time, draw a floorplan of each room in your new house with your chosen positions for furniture, so you won't have lots of furniture to move about while you're settling in.
Make sure you put valuables and important documents somewhere safe while moving - ideally in a box in your car