After Completion Checklist: First 30 Days

Completion day (do these before anything else)

[ ] Take meter readings — gas, electricity, water. Photograph every meter.
[ ] Check fittings and contents match the TA10 form — is everything included in the sale present?
[ ] Note any damage or discrepancies — photograph and report to your solicitor immediately
[ ] Change the locks — you don't know how many key copies exist from previous owners
[ ] Contact gas and electricity suppliers to register as new occupant
[ ] Contact water supplier to register (if metered)
[ ] Confirm buildings insurance is active in your name from today

[ ] Register for council tax with your local authority from completion date — you owe it from day one even if you haven't moved in
[ ] Contact your broadband provider — if setting up new service, lead times can be 1–2 weeks
[ ] Set up TV licence if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer

[ ] Bank and financial institutions — update address on all accounts, savings, pensions, ISAs
[ ] HMRC — update address for self-assessment (if applicable), tax credits, child benefit
[ ] DVLA — update driving licence (£14 online) and vehicle registration (V5C)
[ ] Employer / payroll — ensure payslips, P60, and pension are updated
[ ] Electoral register — register at new address with your local council
[ ] NHS — register with a local GP if moving out of your current practice area
[ ] Dentist and optician — update records
[ ] Schools — notify current school; register at new catchment school if relevant
[ ] Subscriptions and deliveries — update address: Amazon, supermarket delivery, online shopping accounts
[ ] Contents insurance — update address and confirm coverage at new property
[ ] Royal Mail redirection — confirm it's active and all mail is arriving

[ ] Confirm SDLT return was filed — ask your solicitor for confirmation the SDLT1 was submitted to HMRC within 14 days of completion
[ ] Confirm Land Registry application submitted — your solicitor should have applied to register the transfer promptly after completion
[ ] Review completion statement from solicitor — check all figures are correct; query anything unclear
[ ] File your completion documents — keep mortgage offer, completion statement, SDLT receipt, and title information safely (paper or digital with a backup)

[ ] Book a boiler service if the boiler is more than a year old or no service record was provided
[ ] Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors — replace batteries or units as needed
[ ] Check the loft insulation — confirm depth is adequate (270mm is recommended minimum)
[ ] Note any issues to monitor — new properties often reveal minor snags over the first weeks

[ ] Notify the managing agent that you are the new owner — they need your details for service charge demands and building communications
[ ] Obtain a copy of the building's insurance schedule — confirm it covers the fabric of the building
[ ] Review the service charge demand for the current period — confirm it's been apportioned correctly between you and the previous owner in the completion statement
[ ] Request access to the building's residents' portal (if one exists) for maintenance requests

This checklist is a guide. Individual circumstances vary — always take professional advice where needed.