8. Completion
Your solicitor will make arrangements with your lender to ensure that they receive any mortgage money in time for the completion date.
If your solicitor has asked you to pay any more money to them, you need to ensure that they have this money in their bank account, ready to use, before completion.
Your solicitor will tell you when your purchase has completed and you can pick up the keys.
Before you move in
Make sure you have arranged for the water, gas and electricity to be switched on when you move in, and that you have taken readings of any meters before you start using any water, gas or electricity. This will help you to ensure your bills are correct.
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Questions
Can the estate agent lie about the property?
Estate agents are not allowed to lie about any problems in the property, though they are not under any duty to tell you of these unless you ask.
Estate agents should not tell you that people are interested in buying the property when they are not. However, you should expect there to be other people interested and estate agents usually will inform you if there are, and advise you on your options.
Estate agents are not impartial, as the seller pays them for their services. It is important to ask lots of questions and check the surveys carefully. Your solicitor can clarify any points you are unsure about.
What is gazumping?
A seller does not have to sell their property to you until contracts are exchanged. They are entitled to accept offers from other people without telling you that they are doing so. Gazumping is when a seller agrees to accept your offer but then accepts a higher offer from another buyer. If you are gazumped, you may lose money if you have already paid for surveys and valuations. When you begin the process of buying your property, you can ask your solicitor what you can do to reduce the chances of being gazumped.
Who can I complain to if I receive poor service?
If you feel that you received poor service from the estate agent, the bank, the solicitor or a mortgage company, the first step is to make a formal complaint to the firm itself. All firms should have an internal complaints procedure. If you are unhappy with the outcome, there are various independent bodies that you can complain to. Most information is freely available on the internet but you can also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau, who will be able to advise you.
More support if your home needs adapting because of a disability
If you or someone in your household has a disability, the council offer a limited service that may help you.
You will need to contact Health and Community Care at the contact centre on 023 8083 4567.
They will assess whether you need to be visited by an occupational therapist, and will arrange a home visit.
If they think you need extra support, they will refer you to the Private Sector Department of Southampton City Council.
Southampton has a limited fund that could help pay for some adaptations to your home.
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