Rental - Moving In

By now you should be at the stage where all references have been taken up and answers received, a contract has been agreed and signed, and you're in a position to hand over a bank draft. What comes next? Here's your task list:

• Decide what sort of telephone service you want, and from which supplier. If you want an Internet connection, decide on type and supplier.

• Attend the check-in and agree the Inventory & Schedule Of Condition.

• Ensure that you are registered for Council Tax.

• Set up your utility accounts using the meter readings taken at check-in.

• Move in to your new home.

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Its actually a whole load of work. Why don't you save yourself the hassle by using our relocation services? 

Check-In

The final "formality" is the check-in. This is held at the property, and a formal document called the Inventory and Schedule of Condition ( the "Inventory") is agreed between the Tenant and the Landlord's representative. This document will usually have been pre-prepared by a specialist Inventory Clerk. 

The checking of the Inventory is a mind-numbingly boring task that involves going round the property, room by room, and noting the exact contents and their condition. Don't be tempted to pass or skimp on this job. Careful checking of the Inventory at the start of the tenancy will prevent unreasonable deductions (called dilapidations) from your Security Deposit when you leave!

Some points to note:

• Check with the Landlord or Agent beforehand that whoever will be present for the check-in will have a clean hardcopy inventory for you to check and sign.
  

• Sometimes a hardcopy inventory will not be available and the clerk will be compiling an inventory at check-in. If so, complete and sign the General Declaration, but agree with the landlord or Agent that you can have seven days from receipt of the hardcopy inventory to check it, sign and then return it.
  

• If the hardcopy document is wrong, make handwritten amendments in all copies.
  

• Ensure that you keep a copy of the inventory yourself for use at tenancy termination.

Council Tax

You will need to register with the local authority in your area for Council Tax. You can do this by phone, and they'll send you an account. The Council Tax year runs from 1st April to 31st March, and you can usually pay in ten instalments by direct debit.

Utilities

You will need to transfer the utilities in to your name at the start of the tenancy. Again, you can do this by phone. Gas and electricity are billed every three months, and you can arrange these to pay by direct debit. There are a number of different suppliers in the market, and it can pay to shop around.

3.1.1.3 - v1.2