Your settlement agent will attend settlement for you and ensure that the transfer of ownership is a smooth process.
Congratulations on purchasing your home!
There are a few things you may want to consider upon moving in to your new home.
Keys
As the purchaser you are entitled to all "access devices" relating to the property (keys and remotes). If the property is the owners principal place of residence, they legally have until Midday the day after settlement to provide you with all access devices. Please take this in to account when arranging removalists.
Services
It is your responsibility to organise connection of services including power, gas and telephone services. Your settlement agent will usually confirm meter readings have been undertaken prior to the change of ownership, and you should ensure that this will happen so you are not overcharged. A small number of strata company's will organise for your services to be re-connected, although this should be made clear to you prior to settlement.
Insurance
Your home will become your responsibility for insurance purposes from the date of settlement or the possession date (the date from which you occupy the property) whichever is the earlier. You should always organise your insurance cover as early as practicable, as often lenders will require to see proof of insurance cover prior to settlement. This proof of adequate insurance cover comes in the form of a "certificate of currency". Your loan documents will usually outline your insurance requirements, so your broker or settlement agent may be able to assist you here. Failure to provide a copy of the insurance certificate may result in settlement being delayed and penalties applied by the seller.
New address details
Your new address will need to be provided to friends, relatives, health providers, schools, and anyone else whom you deal with regularly. For a comprehensive list on the organisations you should notify of your change of address please click here. To change your address through the department of transport, please click here. You may wish to organise re-direction of your mail to your new address through Australia Post, in case you fail to notify any relevant parties.
Removalist
You will want to book a removalist at the earliest available opportunity. Your settlement agent should keep in regular contact with you to ensure that you are made aware if there could be any delays in settlement, and as such it allows you to reschedule the removalist if necessary.
Establish Maintenance Program
After the building report has ensured that no structural defects exist within your new home, you should begin to consider the areas that will require maintenance. For example, paint deterioration to a timber beam on a pergola may not be a structural defect, although without paint offering a layer of protection from weathering the exposed timber is now susceptible to timber decay. Re-painting the beam should probably be pretty high on the list of priorities, as this will save you thousands of dollars in the future. Your building inspector will be able to assist you here.
Establish Termite Treatment Plan
After an analysis of timber pests around your home, you should also consider the implementation of a termite management plan. If termites were found on site and you have a timber roof frame, then chances are you will want to make this a priority. If termites were not found at the time of inspection, and if your house has a steel roof frame without many timber fixtures or fittings, a termite management plan may not be of great importance.
Congratulations on purchasing your home!
There are a few things you may want to consider upon moving in to your new home.
Keys
As the purchaser you are entitled to all "access devices" relating to the property (keys and remotes). If the property is the owners principal place of residence, they legally have until Midday the day after settlement to provide you with all access devices. Please take this in to account when arranging removalists.
Services
It is your responsibility to organise connection of services including power, gas and telephone services. Your settlement agent will usually confirm meter readings have been undertaken prior to the change of ownership, and you should ensure that this will happen so you are not overcharged. A small number of strata company's will organise for your services to be re-connected, although this should be made clear to you prior to settlement.
Insurance
Your home will become your responsibility for insurance purposes from the date of settlement or the possession date (the date from which you occupy the property) whichever is the earlier. You should always organise your insurance cover as early as practicable, as often lenders will require to see proof of insurance cover prior to settlement. This proof of adequate insurance cover comes in the form of a "certificate of currency". Your loan documents will usually outline your insurance requirements, so your broker or settlement agent may be able to assist you here. Failure to provide a copy of the insurance certificate may result in settlement being delayed and penalties applied by the seller.
New address details
Your new address will need to be provided to friends, relatives, health providers, schools, and anyone else whom you deal with regularly. For a comprehensive list on the organisations you should notify of your change of address please click here. To change your address through the department of transport, please click here. You may wish to organise re-direction of your mail to your new address through Australia Post, in case you fail to notify any relevant parties.
Removalist
You will want to book a removalist at the earliest available opportunity. Your settlement agent should keep in regular contact with you to ensure that you are made aware if there could be any delays in settlement, and as such it allows you to reschedule the removalist if necessary.
Establish Maintenance Program
After the building report has ensured that no structural defects exist within your new home, you should begin to consider the areas that will require maintenance. For example, paint deterioration to a timber beam on a pergola may not be a structural defect, although without paint offering a layer of protection from weathering the exposed timber is now susceptible to timber decay. Re-painting the beam should probably be pretty high on the list of priorities, as this will save you thousands of dollars in the future. Your building inspector will be able to assist you here.
Establish Termite Treatment Plan
After an analysis of timber pests around your home, you should also consider the implementation of a termite management plan. If termites were found on site and you have a timber roof frame, then chances are you will want to make this a priority. If termites were not found at the time of inspection, and if your house has a steel roof frame without many timber fixtures or fittings, a termite management plan may not be of great importance.