There’s a lot to juggle when you’re moving home, from the initial dealings with your estate agents, to viewings, figuring out the date and carrying out the move itself. Between all the organisation and planning, it can be tough to keep track of everything, and that’s particularly true when it comes to paperwork.
There will be at least a few documents you’ll want to keep handy during the move, and in this article we’re taking a look at which ones are important and why, to make sure you keep as organised as possible during all the chaos.
Proof of identity
Both parties are required to provide proof of identity to their solicitor or conveyancer. All you’ll need for this is an original document that proves that you are who are say you are. A valid passport or driving license (full or provisional) will do here.
Proof of address
You will also need an original document for proof of your current residence. This can be a utility bill from the past three months, a council tax bill, a recent statement from your bank or building society (again, something from the past three months) or your passport or driving license.
Different documents must be used for proof of address and identity, so if you use your passport to prove your identity, you’ll have to use one of the other valid documents for proof of residence.
Proof of funds
The buyer will need to prove that they have the funds available to complete the move. This will come as a copy of your mortgage offer, as well as a proof of deposit in the form of a bank statement. You will need to provide these documents when your offer has been accepted, in order to prove to the agent that you do in fact have the necessary finances in place to purchase the property at the chosen offer price. These documents are also used to help prove that the funds are legitimate, in order to prevent money laundering.
Contracts
The contract for the sale will contain all the conditions of the move, and you will need to sign this and return it to your conveyancer or solicitor. An exchange of contracts will occur between buyer and seller, and once this has been completed, you are under legal obligation to purchase the property.
The contract stage is important, as it is the last chance for you to make sure that everything is clear about the move, and to flag up any information or conditions you are unclear about. Discuss the terms of the contract with your conveyancer in detail before signing and exchanging.
Quotes, bookings, schedules!
To make sure you know where you stand at all times, keep a record of any quotes or agreements you might make in the run up to the move. It’s recommended to keep hold of quotes from removal firms, and it will do you the world of good to organise a checklist beforehand and keep that updated so you can keep track of the expected timeframe of the process.
Once all the official paperwork is sorted, you might not be too thrilled about giving yourself more things to do, but a checklist and list of records will definitely come in handy as you prepare to make the switch. Once you’ve booked a reliable removal firm that you are happy with, keep their contact details close by in case you need to get in touch to make a specific request, or to inform them of any changes. When it comes to moving home, the best way to beat the stress is to remain as calm and organised as possible. That way, you know exactly what you’re dealing with at any given time.
Barnes of Lincoln are proud to be a leading home removal company for customers in Lincoln, Newark and beyond. Our expert team of movers will take care of all the heavy lifting, and will work diligently to ensure the safest possible journey for all of your goods and belongings. We are on hand to provide any advice you might need to help make your move as stress–free as possible, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss your move.
