Owning a house is often referred to as an emotional experience. After living in your home for a considerable amount of time, when you decide to sell it and move to a new one, there are several important tasks to complete in order to ensure a smooth transition. This guide highlights the key steps to take after selling your house.
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Start packing your belongings
Once the sale agreement is signed, the seller knows that the house will be sold soon. It’s a good idea to start early by decluttering, packing and labeling household items. This will make the move easier when the property seller transitions to a new property and ensures that everything is organised and ready to go.
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Arrange for shifting of utilities
As the seller prepares to move out, they must also organize the relocation or discontinuation of utilities. For instance, the seller should contact their internet service provider to arrange for a transfer to the new home. Additionally, they may need to reach out to their gas company, whether pipeline or cylinder-based, to halt service or arrange for a relocation. Taking care of these tasks in advance will help ensure a smooth transition and avoid any last-minute disruptions.
Shift out of the house on time
Once the buyer has paid the full amount for the property and the sale deed is executed, the buyer becomes the official owner, and the seller no longer has any rights to the property. To ensure a smooth transition, it is advisable for the seller to vacate the house two to three days prior to the execution of the sale deed. This allows the buyer to take possession of the property without delays.
If the property is rented out, the seller should have already provided notice to the tenant according to the agreed-upon notice period, ensuring the tenant vacates the property on time. This will allow the buyer to take possession as soon as the sale is complete.
In some cases, if the seller is unable to vacate the property on schedule, they may request an extension of one week or ten days from the buyer. Most buyers are understanding and may allow this extension, especially if the requested time frame is brief.
Leave things that have been sold as part of the deal
Often, when a house is sold, certain interior items are agreed upon as part of the sale, and the seller may charge the buyer a premium for them. For example, if the seller has installed a semi-modular kitchen (which nowadays can be detached and reassembled elsewhere), it must be necessarily left behind in the house if it was specified as part of the deal. Similarly, items like air conditioning units, fans, chandeliers, water filters, gas hobs, and furniture, if agreed to be included in the sale, must also remain in the house.
It is crucial for the seller to carefully review the sale deed agreement to determine which items are part of the property after the sale. They should make a list of these items and ensure that they are left behind when moving out.
In addition, even if the buyer hasn’t requested them, it’s a considerate gesture to leave behind useful items such as curtain rods, blinds or bathroom vanities.
Keep in mind that if, by mistake or intentionally, the seller removes an item that was agreed upon as part of the sale, the buyer has the right to ask for it to be returned. If the seller fails to respond, the buyer can take legal action to recover the item.
Vacate the house of your belongings
Like it is important to leave behind the items that were agreed upon, it is equally essential for the property seller to remove all of their personal belongings from the house, ensuring that the buyer receives a clean, empty property. The seller should take care to remove everything and not leave any unwanted items behind for the buyer to clean up. It’s crucial not to assume that the buyer might want to keep some of the things that the seller was using. If the house is not properly vacated, the buyer may incur additional costs to dispose of these items, which can sour the relationship and cause unnecessary tension.
Clean the house
Before leaving, ensure that the house is cleaned properly so that the buyer can step into a fresh, welcoming environment, rather than being greeted by dust and clutter. While a deep cleaning is not necessary, a basic cleaning should be done and the house should be brought to a presentable condition.
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Check the house one final time
Once everything is packed and ready, take a final walk-through of the house to ensure everything is in order. Check every corner to make sure nothing has been overlooked. Confirm that you have removed all of your belongings and that the house is ready for the buyer. Remember, once you hand over the keys, you will no longer have access to the property, and entering the house would be considered trespassing. Therefore, take the time to thoroughly inspect the house before contacting the buyer or their agent to hand over the keys.
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Before vacating the house, the property seller should create a detailed checklist that includes leaving behind agreed-upon items, cleaning, and performing a final inspection. As the moving day approaches, it’s natural to feel stressed or overwhelmed, making it easy to forget important tasks. By planning ahead and breaking down the process, you can avoid last-minute confusion and ensure nothing is overlooked. This will help ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible for both the seller and the buyer. A well-organised plan will also reduce the chances of forgetting crucial details or leaving behind unwanted items.
FAQs
When should a property owner vacate the house after selling it?
The house should ideally be vacated 2-3 days before executing the sale deed so that the buyer can take possession on time.
What should a property owner leave behind in the house?
A property owner should leave things that have been agreed and are part of the deal. This may be furniture, fixtures etc.
How can a seller prepare the house for the buyer?
Before handing over the house, the house has to be clean. It should have no unrequired items for the buyer to dispose of.
Should a property seller clean the house after moving out?
Yes, before handing over the keys to the buyer, the seller should ensure that the house is clean and in a presentable condition.
What if a property seller accidentally leave something behind?
In case the property seller leaves something behind, he can get in touch with the buyer or his agent to get it returned to him.
What if the property seller wants an extension to move out?
If the property seller wants an extension to move out of the house, he can discuss the terms with the buyer. If it is 3-4 days, the buyer may agree. However, if the time period runs to three to six months, the property seller may have to pay monthly rent to the buyer in case he agrees for the extension. In case a rental arrangement is agreed, it is recommended that it is legalised and the rental agreement is executed by registering it at the sub-registrar office.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
