Once you have accepted your property you will need to sign a tenancy agreement and other paperwork and collect your keys. At this point you become the tenant of your new home. If you notice any repairs which need doing as you are moving in please contact our repairs team to report them (see “repairs” section for how to report a repair)

If you are renting a property before you move into your new home you will need to give your old landlord notice that you are moving out. They will generally need this in writing; you will need to check how many weeks notice you need to give when ending your tenancy. Please be aware that whilst you have 2 tenancies you are responsible for paying the rent on both.

If you wish to claim Housing Benefit on your new home we can help you complete the forms when you pick up your keys. If your old tenancy and new tenancy overlap we can help you request Housing Benefit on both homes, your Local Authority will then decide if you are eligible for this.

Whilst you are moving in, you will need to organise your gas and electricity suppliers. It is your choice who you sign up with, websites such as www.uswitch.com can help you decide.

The gas and electric meters at you home will be either:

• pre payment gas and electric meter, which have top up cards and keys or
   
• monthly or quarterly bills

If you wish to change the type of meter you have please tell your supplier when you contact them to sign up. If you have a billing meter you will need to give them a meter reading when you move in.

You are responsible for insuring your possessions at your home, the National Housing Federation offer insurance aimed at our tenants, please call 0845 337 2463 for more information. Please be aware other insurance companies are available.

Approximately 1 year after you move into your home we will need to service your boiler. You will be contacted by Alhco to organise an appointment.