Moving home guides

The days around a move are when people drill shelf fixings, strip wallpaper, take down a dated ceiling or bring in a builder before the furniture arrives. In a home built or refurbished before 2000, that is also when asbestos-containing materials can be disturbed. This article summarises the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) FAQ page “Asbestos – FAQs” and the GOV.UK “Asbestos in your home” page. HSE regulates workplace health and safety in Great Britain; Northern Ireland has its own regulator and is not covered here. This is general information, not a survey or professional advice.

How likely is it in a home you are moving into?

HSE says asbestos was widely used in commercial buildings, homes and machinery until it was banned in 1999, and that it may be part of any commercial or domestic building built or refurbished before the year 2000. Its list of places where it can still be found includes asbestos cement products (pipes, flues, roofs), lagging on pipes and boilers, water tanks and toilet cisterns, asbestos insulating board (which closely resembles plasterboard), loose asbestos in ceiling and wall cavities, sprayed coatings, textured decorative coatings commonly called Artex, floor tiles, and textiles and composites. HSE also says it can be difficult to identify asbestos because it is often mixed with other materials.

What HSE says to do if it is suspected

HSE’s advice to householders who think they may have asbestos is direct: do not try to repair or remove any asbestos materials yourself if you have not had training for non-licensed asbestos work. It says that if a home is sure, or strongly suspected, to contain asbestos, it is often best to leave the materials where they are, especially if they are in good condition and unlikely to be damaged, and to check their condition from time to time. The same page says the presence of asbestos alone should not be a cause for concern, because it becomes a risk to health when it is released into the air and breathed in.

The guidance distinguishes between kinds of material. Slightly damaged materials can sometimes be repaired by sealing or enclosing them, but only by someone with the necessary training. Badly damaged material that is likely to become further damaged should be removed if it cannot be protected. HSE says sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos lagging or insulation, and asbestos insulating board should only be removed by a contractor licensed by HSE.

Telling the people who work in your home

HSE says that anyone planning DIY improvements, repairs or maintenance who intends to bring in additional builders, maintenance workers or contractors should tell them about any asbestos materials in the home before they start. This is meant to reduce the chance of the materials being disturbed, and HSE strongly encourages the use of trained professionals to repair or remove them.

The removal day is a natural point for this. A newly arrived owner may have a plumber, electrician or decorator booked within days. On the law, HSE says the general duties in section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 protect householders from risks arising from work activities carried out in their homes, and that the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 also apply where the work involves asbestos-containing materials. It adds that in owner-occupied domestic properties the owners are not legally responsible for risks to contractors from asbestos, as the owners are not themselves engaged in a work activity.

Rented homes and shared parts of flats

HSE’s page describes the “duty to manage” asbestos, which is a legal requirement under regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It says the duty applies to owners and occupiers of commercial premises with responsibility for maintenance and repair, and that it also applies to the shared parts of some domestic premises. A tenant or a flat buyer can therefore ask the landlord or managing agent whether the communal areas have an asbestos register or management plan.

Waste, old fittings and selling on

Two rules matter for the clear-out that comes with a move. HSE says asbestos-containing materials need to be legally disposed of as hazardous waste, must not be mixed with normal household waste, and that the local council can advise on collection or special facilities. It also says it is illegal to supply any article containing asbestos, whether for money or free of charge, so an item that is known to contain it cannot be sold or given away. The site’s article on leftover furniture and rubbish after a move covers carrier checks for ordinary household waste, and its guide to decluttering before moving covers selling and donating.

Who to ask

HSE says householders can seek advice from an environmental health officer at their local council, and the GOV.UK page “Asbestos in your home” leads to a local council look-up by postcode; that GOV.UK service is marked as available in England and Wales only.

Common questions

Should I have Artex ceilings removed before moving in?

HSE says textured coatings such as Artex can contain asbestos but that materials in good condition are often best left in place. Anyone planning work should ask the council and a competent professional first.

Can I put old asbestos sheeting in the skip?

No. HSE says asbestos materials must be disposed of as hazardous waste, separately from household waste, and the council can advise on how.

The bottom line

For a home built or refurbished before 2000, HSE’s message to householders in Great Britain is to treat suspected asbestos as something to leave undisturbed in good condition, not to repair or remove it without training, to tell every contractor before work begins, and to dispose of it only as hazardous waste. A move is the moment when drilling and stripping tend to happen, so the checks are best made before the first job is booked.

Sources

• Health and Safety Executive, “Asbestos – FAQs” (hse.gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Asbestos in your home”

A removal to Italy involves more than a van and a booking date. The paperwork that follows arrival has fixed deadlines, and some of it decides whether a person can register as a resident, see a doctor or keep driving legally. This article summarises the GOV.UK guidance “Living in Italy” (published 22 March 2013, last updated 11 December 2025 in the version consulted) and the GOV.UK guidance “Healthcare in Italy” (last updated 25 October 2022 in the version consulted). It is written for British nationals moving from the UK now, not for those who moved before 1 January 2021. It is general information, not immigration advice, and Italy’s own authorities set the detailed rules.

Visas and the permesso di soggiorno

GOV.UK tells people to make sure they meet Italy’s entry requirements before travelling. It lists visa routes for work (including as a digital nomad or remote worker), study, living with family, research, investment or business, living in Italy without working, and religious activities. It points to the Italian government’s frequently asked questions on entry into Italy and to the step-by-step guide from VFS Global, described as Italy’s official visa partner.

As a non-EU national, a British person must apply for a residence permit, the permesso di soggiorno, within 8 days of arriving in Italy. The Italian police website explains how and where to apply.

Registering as a resident

Once the permit application is lodged, GOV.UK says a person who plans to stay more than 3 months must register their residency, a process known as iscrizione anagrafica. Questions go to the municipality’s registry office (the Anagrafe of the Comune) or to an English-speaking lawyer in Italy. A dual UK and Italian national must register as an Italian national.

GOV.UK’s healthcare guidance adds a condition: proof of healthcare cover is needed before a person can register as a resident and when applying for a visa. The exact cover required is a matter for the Italian authorities, so it should be arranged before the removal date.

Healthcare registration

According to the healthcare guidance, people who are employed or self-employed can register with the national health system for free, a route called iscrizione obbligatoria, and can register dependants at the same time. Those who are not working or paying social security contributions may be able to register voluntarily by paying an annual fee (iscrizione volontaria); otherwise private health insurance is needed. Registration is made at the local health authority (Azienda Sanitaria Locale, or ASL) after applying for the permit of stay and registering as a resident. The guidance lists the documents to take, including a residency certificate or permit of stay, passport, tax code (codice fiscale) and evidence of dependants.

Documents worth keeping out of the removal lorry

GOV.UK says Italian authorities regard the original UK birth certificate as the main identity document and that it is not common to change a name in Italy for any reason, including marriage; a person who has ever changed their name may find it harder to access services. Anyone in that position should keep name-change evidence with them. Italian law also requires everyone to carry photo ID at all times. These documents are needed in the first weeks, so they should travel apart from the main load. The site’s moving house checklist covers how to keep an essentials bag apart from the removal.

Driving licences

For people who became resident in Italy on or after 1 January 2023, GOV.UK says a valid licence issued in the UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man can be used to drive in Italy for up to 12 months. Such a licence cannot be replaced or renewed while living in Italy. A licence must be exchanged for an Italian one if the person became resident before 1 January 2023 or if a year or more has passed since becoming resident. No driving test is needed for a valid licence. In most cases the exchange can be made within 6 years of the date of becoming resident, although people with Withdrawal Agreement rights can exchange at any time.

The exchange is arranged by booking an appointment at the local Motorisation Office (Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile). If the UK licence is lost or stolen, a copy of the loss or theft report filed with the Italian police is required; without it the person must apply as a non-EU national. The office may ask for an official translation. GOV.UK advises leaving enough time, because the Italian licence is needed to drive legally after the 12 months.

Guests and the 48-hour notification rule

One rule that surprises new homeowners is in the property section. GOV.UK says that a person who hosts a non-EU national as a guest must tell the local immigration office (questura) in writing within 48 hours of the guest’s arrival, and that a fine is possible for non-compliance. For a guest from an EU country, the office must be informed if the stay is planned to be 30 days or more.

Common questions

Do I have to apply for the permit before I move?

GOV.UK says a non-EU national must apply for the permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of arriving in Italy. The visa requirement is separate and must be met before travelling.

Can I keep driving on my UK licence?

For those who became resident on or after 1 January 2023, GOV.UK says a valid UK licence can be used for up to 12 months, after which it must be exchanged.

The bottom line

Moving to Italy works best when the removal date follows the paperwork rather than the other way round: settle the visa, arrange proof of healthcare cover before registering as a resident, apply for the permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of arrival, keep identity documents out of the van, and plan the licence exchange inside the 12-month window. GOV.UK’s guidance is a starting point, and the Italian authorities and an English-speaking lawyer in Italy remain the place to confirm current rules.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Living in Italy”
• GOV.UK, “Healthcare in Italy”

Most people who move house inherit a water company as their supplier. A minority of homes in rural parts of England and Wales are instead connected to a private water supply: a borehole, spring, stream or a shared pipe from a neighbouring source. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) says about 1% of the population of England and 3% of the population in Wales use one. Buyers and tenants who arrive without knowing this can find they have taken on responsibilities that a mains customer never faces. This article summarises DWI guidance, which covers England and Wales only. It is general information, not legal advice.

What counts as a private supply

The DWI defines a private water supply as any supply not provided by a water company, where the water is intended for human consumption or for a food business. Human consumption covers drinking, cooking, food preparation and other domestic purposes, including toilet flushing. Sources include boreholes, natural springs, watercourses and the onward distribution of mains water. Local authorities, rather than the DWI, regulate private supplies, with the Inspectorate acting as technical adviser to them.

Becoming the “relevant person”

Section 80(7) of the Water Industry Act 1991 defines the “relevant person” as the owner or occupier of the premises supplied, the owner or occupier of the premises where the source is situated, and anyone who exercises powers of management or control over the source. There can be several relevant persons for one supply. The DWI’s buyer guidance says that once a property with a private supply is purchased, the new owner becomes a relevant person. A tenant, as an occupier, can also fall within the definition.

The status matters because, if the local authority finds a supply insufficient or unwholesome, a relevant person may be served a notice under section 80 requiring improvements. Where a supply is a potential danger to human health, a notice can be served under regulation 18 in England (regulation 20 in Wales). The DWI says failing to comply with such a notice is an offence carrying a fine, or a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both.

Questions a buyer can put to the seller

The DWI suggests buyers check the property deeds for binding agreements about who controls and maintains the supply, and take legal advice on liability. It also lists questions to put through a solicitor or agent, or to the local authority, including:

• Are there written or informal agreements on maintaining and operating the supply?
• Has the local authority carried out a risk assessment, and what did it find?
• Were improvement works advised, and have they been completed?
• What did any previous sampling show?
• Is there treatment such as filters or UV disinfection, and was it installed by a competent installer?
• Are there maintenance logs, emergency instructions, and a diagram showing pipes, tanks and inspection chambers?

Testing and risk assessments for a single home

The DWI says most private supplies in England and Wales serve a single dwelling. Regulations do not require mandatory monitoring or a risk assessment for a supply serving only a single home used solely for domestic purposes, unless the owner or occupier, including a tenant, asks the local authority. If testing is requested, the minimum parameters normally include conductivity, enterococci, E. coli, pH and turbidity. Both testing and risk assessment are chargeable, and the DWI notes water quality can vary with seasonal changes in the source, so a single result does not necessarily represent water quality at other times.

A home used commercially, such as a bed and breakfast or tea shop, falls outside the single-dwelling category, and different rules apply.

Registration and the local authority

The DWI says registering a private supply is not currently a legal requirement, though it strongly advises it. Anyone can make the local authority aware of a supply, and a consumer unsure whether the supply is known to the council can ask its environmental health team. When the authority becomes aware of a new supply, the supply must not be brought into use until the authority is satisfied it is not a potential danger to human health.

Practical points for a move

• Ask early whether the property has mains or private water, since a removal firm cannot resolve a source or pipe dispute on moving day.
• Check who owns and maintains shared pipework before exchange, as deeds may contain obligations.
• Keep records of any maintenance the seller has done, because the DWI stresses record keeping.
• Do not assume a tenant has no role: an occupier can be a relevant person.
• For homes on mains water, the site’s guide to moving home and your water bill covers meter readings and billing.

Common questions

Does the local authority have to test my private supply?

Not for a single home used only for domestic purposes, unless the owner or occupier asks. Other supplies are risk-assessed as part of the authority’s duties.

Can the council charge for this?

Yes. The DWI says authorities can charge relevant persons the reasonable cost of the work, and Welsh regulations set maximum fees for each service.

Is a private supply always unsafe?

No. The DWI points out that quality depends on the source, the treatment and how the supply is maintained, which is why risk assessment is recommended.

The bottom line

A private water supply in England or Wales shifts responsibility for quality, sufficiency and maintenance from a water company to the property owner or occupier. Before committing to a purchase or tenancy, check the deeds, ask the DWI-suggested questions about risk assessments, sampling and treatment, and consider requesting a local authority risk assessment.

Sources

• Drinking Water Inspectorate, “Buying a dwelling with a private water supply: what do I need to know?” (dwi.gov.uk)
• Drinking Water Inspectorate, “Relevant person” (dwi.gov.uk)
• Drinking Water Inspectorate, “Single dwelling supplies” (dwi.gov.uk)
• Drinking Water Inspectorate, “Registration of private water supplies” (dwi.gov.uk)
• Drinking Water Inspectorate, “What are private supplies?” (dwi.gov.uk)

A new Council Tax bill often arrives before the last box is unpacked, and some new occupiers suspect the band is wrong. The timing of a challenge matters: GOV.UK sets out one route for people who have been paying Council Tax on a property for less than six months and another, slower one for everyone else. This article summarises the GOV.UK guide “Challenge your Council Tax band”, which covers England and Wales through the Valuation Office (VO) and Scotland through a separate assessor. It is general information, not advice on a specific property.

What the band is based on

GOV.UK says Council Tax bands reflect what a property was worth on a fixed date: 1 April 1991 in England and 1 April 2003 in Wales. A band is therefore not a current valuation, and a challenge has to be argued against those historic values rather than today’s market price. Scotland is handled separately: challenges go to an assessor at the local Valuation Joint Board or council, and the guide points Scottish residents to the Scottish Assessors Association.

The six-month window for new occupiers

Under the England and Wales rules, a person has a legal right to challenge (called “making a proposal”) if they think the band is wrong and either:

• they have been paying Council Tax on the property for less than six months; or
• the VO has changed the band in the last six months.

Anyone in that position must give the date they became the Council Tax payer, which GOV.UK notes may be earlier than the day they physically moved in. The challenge also requires the person’s name, the property address, the date from which the change is sought, and whether they are the homeowner or a tenant. For movers, this is a strong reason to note the date responsibility began before the six months run out.

After six months: a band review

People who have paid for more than six months, and where nothing has changed at the property, can still ask for a band review, but the evidence burden is more specific. GOV.UK says the challenger must supply addresses for up to five similar properties in a lower band. The comparisons should match on type (semi-detached against semi-detached), size, age, and style and design, and sit in the same street or estate in a town or city, or the same village or area in the countryside.

Sale prices can also be used, provided the sales fall between 1 April 1989 and 31 March 1993 for England, or 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2005 for Wales. GOV.UK says the VO does not treat average house-price data from websites such as Rightmove or Zoopla as strong evidence.

Changes that justify a new band

Separately, GOV.UK lists changes that affect the property’s value and give a legal right to propose a new band: the property has been split or merged, part of it is now used for business, or the local area has physically changed, for example through a new supermarket or main road. A property can be removed from the list if it has been demolished, is derelict or in serious disrepair, is undergoing major renovation across all or most of it, or is now used as a business and no longer counts as domestic. Poor repair alone does not qualify. Anyone taking on a home that needs major works should note that renovation can affect whether Council Tax is payable, and that the guide explains the bill restarts from the completion date of the work or the move-in date.

How the process runs

• Applying. In England and Wales, GOV.UK directs people to an online service, usable whether or not there is a legal right to challenge. Supporting evidence may be needed, and a representative needs an Authority to act form and a paper challenge form.
• Paying meanwhile. GOV.UK says Council Tax must continue to be paid while a challenge is reviewed.
• Timescales. The VO usually acknowledges a challenge within a few days, though it can take up to 28 days. A decision on a proposal can take up to four months, and a band review up to 12 months.
• Outcome. If the band changes, the council revises the bill and pays any refund due.
• Appeal. Only people who had a legal right to challenge can appeal, to the Valuation Tribunal England or the Valuation Tribunal Wales. Appeals are free, though costs such as an agent are borne by the appellant. The normal deadline is three months from the decision in England and four months in Wales, with extensions possible in some circumstances.

Common questions

Can I stop paying while the VO decides?

No. GOV.UK says payments must continue during the review, and any refund follows a successful outcome.

Is the online service the only route?

For properties in England and Wales the online service is the main route, and GOV.UK also gives an email address and a paper form for cases where the online service cannot be used.

Does this affect the price I already paid for the house?

No. The band relates to Council Tax, not the purchase price, although the guide describes how the price paid by neighbours in the historic sale windows can serve as evidence.

The bottom line

Council Tax bands rest on 1991 values in England and 2003 values in Wales, and a new occupier has a stronger, faster route to challenge one during the first six months of paying it. After that, a band review needs comparable properties in lower bands and can take up to 12 months. Note the date Council Tax responsibility began, keep paying meanwhile, and see the site’s guide to Council Tax and rates when you move house for the wider changeover.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Challenge your Council Tax band: When you have a legal right to make a challenge”
• GOV.UK, “Challenge your Council Tax band: When you do not have a legal right to make a challenge”
• GOV.UK, “Challenge your Council Tax band: After you make a challenge”
• GOV.UK, “Challenge your Council Tax band: How to challenge”

A first purchase usually means the removal quote is only one of several bills that land close to completion day. Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is often the largest, and for first-time buyers a relief can remove much or all of it. This article summarises the current GOV.UK guidance on how First-Time Buyers’ Relief works. It applies to property in England and Northern Ireland only: Scotland charges Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and Wales charges Land Transaction Tax, both with their own rates. It is general information, not tax advice.

Who counts as a first-time buyer

GOV.UK says relief is available only where you and anyone else you are buying with are all first-time buyers of a residential property. A couple where one partner has owned a home before therefore cannot claim, even if the other never has. The guidance also sets two conditions: the property must be intended as the buyer’s main residence, and the purchase price must be no more than £500,000.

The rates for a first home from 1 April 2025

For a first home bought on or after 1 April 2025, GOV.UK gives these rates:

• 0% on the first £300,000;
• 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000.

GOV.UK’s worked example is a £500,000 purchase, which produces SDLT of £10,000. If the price is even £1 over £500,000, the relief is lost completely and the standard rates apply to the whole price. The standard rates for a single residential property are 0% up to £125,000, 2% on the next £125,000, 5% on the portion from £250,001 to £925,000, 10% from £925,001 to £1.5 million and 12% above that. Anyone who bought their first home before 1 April 2025 was subject to different relief rates, so figures quoted in older articles or by older calculators can be out of date.

Shared ownership

GOV.UK says first-time buyers of qualifying shared ownership homes can also claim the relief where the property is intended as a main residence and its market value is £500,000 or less. The relief applies to the rent payments too, so no SDLT is due on the rent. The claim needs either a market value election or a choice to pay SDLT in stages when the lease is granted. A housing association or the buyer’s conveyancer explains which route applies to a particular scheme.

When first-time relief does not help

Three situations sit outside the relief, according to the residential rates guidance:

• Prices above £500,000. The standard rates apply to the entire price.
• Additional properties. A buyer who will own more than one residential property usually pays 5% on top of the standard rates. A purchase that leaves the buyer owning two residential properties falls into this category.
• Non-UK residents. A buyer not present in the UK for at least 183 days in the 12 months before purchase usually pays a 2% surcharge in England and Northern Ireland, in addition to any other rate that applies, including the first-time buyer rates.

Claiming the relief

The relief is not automatic. GOV.UK says it is claimed by entering relief code 32 in the SDLT return, which a conveyancer normally files. Buyers should confirm in writing that the claim will be made, and that the return is filed inside the statutory window, which the site’s guide to the SDLT filing deadline explains. HMRC also provides an online SDLT calculator on GOV.UK for checking a solicitor’s figure.

Fitting SDLT into a moving budget

The SDLT bill falls due around the same time as the final removal payment. Buyers can plan for it as follows:

• Get the SDLT figure from the conveyancer before the removal booking is confirmed, so that a deposit and final payment are not competing with a tax bill.
• Check whether the purchase price sits close to the £300,000 or £500,000 boundaries, because a small price change near £500,000 can change the bill by thousands of pounds.
• Use the moving house budget guide to place removals, storage and cleaning alongside the tax and legal fees.

Common questions

Does the relief apply to a buy-to-let purchase?

No. GOV.UK ties the relief to a property the buyer intends to occupy as a main residence.

Does it apply in Scotland or Wales?

No. SDLT applies in England and Northern Ireland. Scotland and Wales use their own taxes, and this article does not cover their rates.

What if I am buying with a parent who already owns a home?

GOV.UK says all buyers on the purchase must be first-time buyers, so the relief cannot be claimed in that case.

The bottom line

For a first home in England or Northern Ireland costing up to £500,000 and bought from 1 April 2025, the first £300,000 carries no SDLT and the remainder is taxed at 5%. Above £500,000 the relief disappears entirely, and every buyer on the purchase must qualify. Confirm the claim with the conveyancer, then set the tax figure beside the removal quote before committing to a moving date.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Stamp Duty Land Tax: Residential property rates”
• GOV.UK, “Stamp Duty Land Tax relief for land or property transactions”

Moving in with a partner, friend or relative often means buying a home together. When two or more people buy, the way they hold the property affects what happens on death, separation and sale, and it is usually decided during the purchase, when attention is on the removal date. This article summarises two GOV.UK pages on joint property ownership: the overview, and the page on changing from joint tenants to tenants in common. It applies to property registered with HM Land Registry in England and Wales. Scotland has its own property law, which these pages do not cover, and Northern Ireland registration is separate. It is general information, not legal advice; GOV.UK itself recommends legal advice or a solicitor.

Two ways of owning together

GOV.UK describes two forms of joint ownership:

• Joint tenants: each owner has equal rights to the whole property. When one owner dies, the property automatically passes to the surviving owners, and a person cannot leave their share to someone else in a will.
• Tenants in common: owners can hold different shares of the property. A share does not pass automatically to the other owners on death, and can be left to someone by will.

The difference is easy to overlook at the point of purchase, when a conveyancer may ask how the buyers want to hold the title. Couples who assume that their share “goes to the partner anyway” may be right only if they are joint tenants, and if they are tenants in common the share follows the will or, without a will, the intestacy rules that the GOV.UK pages do not describe.

Which arrangement suits which situation

GOV.UK does not tell people which to choose, but its examples show how the forms work in practice. It says a couple who divorce may switch from joint tenants to tenants in common so that each keeps control over their own portion. In general terms, a joint tenancy suits owners who want the survivor to keep the whole property automatically. tenants in common suits owners with unequal contributions, or those who want their own share to go to someone else, such as children from an earlier relationship. Where shares are unequal, owners often want the split recorded in a document, and GOV.UK emphasises that registration involves complexity and recommends taking legal advice.

Changing your mind later

The GOV.UK overview says owners can switch between the two arrangements, and that there is no cost for doing it. The page on changing from joint tenants to tenants in common describes two routes.

Without the other owners’ agreement

The owner serves a written notice of the change, called a notice of severance, on the other owners. The owner then completes form SEV or form RX1 to register a restriction, prepares the supporting documents, including the original or a certified copy of the signed notice, and sends the application to HM Land Registry’s Citizen Centre.

With the other owners’ agreement

All that is required is form SEV and the supporting documents, sent to the same Citizen Centre. GOV.UK states there is no fee for either route.

The fact that one owner can sever a joint tenancy without the agreement of the others is worth knowing for anyone who holds property jointly. It affects who receives a share on death, so any decision to sever is significant, and legal advice is sensible before serving a notice.

If a co-owner loses capacity

GOV.UK says that if a co-owner has lost mental capacity and the others want to sell, they must apply to the Court of Protection to proceed. This is a practical issue for anyone planning a later move, such as downsizing. The site’s guide to downsizing or moving later in life covers the practical planning around a move at that stage, and the legal steps for a co-owner without capacity fall outside the GOV.UK summary.

Points to settle before the removal date

• Decide, with the conveyancer, whether the buyers will hold as joint tenants or tenants in common, and record any unequal shares in writing.
• Check that wills match the ownership form. A will cannot pass on a share held as a joint tenant, according to GOV.UK.
• If moving in together with an existing home to sell, see the site’s article on council tax when moving in together.

Common questions

Does it cost anything to change the type of ownership?

GOV.UK says there is no fee for registering the change with HM Land Registry, and the guide says changing between the two types costs nothing.

Can I change without my co-owner’s consent?

The severance route allows a written notice and a registered restriction without the other owners’ agreement, but legal advice is sensible first.

Does this apply in Scotland?

The GOV.UK pages refer to HM Land Registry in England and Wales. Scots law is different and is not covered here.

The bottom line

For a property in England or Wales bought by two or more people, the choice between joint tenants and tenants in common decides what happens to each share on death. GOV.UK says owners can change the arrangement at no cost, including by serving a notice of severance without the others’ agreement. Because the decision is made during a busy purchase, it deserves time and legal advice before completion.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Joint property ownership”
• GOV.UK, “Joint property ownership: Change from joint tenants to tenants in common”

Solar panels are often sold with a house, but the income they earn under the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) does not move automatically. Whoever owns the property when a sale completes has to be recorded with the FIT licensee, and the seller needs a final meter reading. This article summarises Ofgem’s guidance for FIT generators and a change-of-ownership guide published by the energy company Good Energy, which acts as a FIT licensee. The FIT scheme operates in Great Britain only. Ofgem says it closed to new applicants from 1 April 2019, so it applies to installations already registered. This is general information; the licensee’s own instructions and the conveyancing solicitor’s advice take priority.

Who has to act

Two people have tasks. The seller has to tell the FIT licensee that ownership is changing so that payments can be closed off and a final payment made. The buyer, as the new owner, has to be recorded so payments continue to the right person. Ofgem describes the buyer’s job for smaller installations, called MCS-FIT (solar or wind of up to 50kW and micro-CHP up to 2kW): contact the registered FIT licensee, which will update the generator’s details on the Central FIT Register. For larger installations, called ROO-FIT (solar or wind above 50kW, plus all anaerobic digestion and hydro), Ofgem says the new owner first emails Ofgem to update the Renewable Electricity Register and completes a transfer request form, and then notifies the FIT licensee. A typical home rooftop system is likely to be in the first category.

What a seller should do

Good Energy’s guide says that when selling a home with solar panels included, the seller should tell the licensee immediately and take a reading from the generation meter on the day the sale completes. The company asks for written confirmation of the completion date, the new owner’s name and property address, and proof that the installation was included in the sale. Once those are received, the seller gets a final payment. Good Energy also advises providing a forwarding address for later correspondence and not sharing account details with the new owner, which could lead to overpayments.

These steps are one licensee’s process, but they show the kind of evidence a licensee is likely to need. A seller should check the equivalent instructions from their own licensee.

What a buyer should do

According to Good Energy, a buyer completes a digital change-of-ownership form with the current generation meter reading, photo identification such as a passport or driving licence, and evidence of the purchase, for example a solicitor’s letter, the purchase agreement or Land Registry documents with the Law Society form TA10. Ofgem adds that a new owner must agree to a new statement of FIT terms with the licensee and provide current meter readings before payments start. It says the transfer typically takes around four to five weeks, so a gap between completion and the first payment to the new owner should be expected.

Special situations

• Rent-a-roof arrangements: Ofgem says that where a third party owns the installation, the installation owner and not the homeowner receives the FIT payments. A buyer of a home with panels on a rent-a-roof deal should establish who owns the equipment and what the arrangement requires before exchange.
• If the licensee stops operating: Ofgem says FIT payments can only be made by an active licensee, so an owner in this position should contact a new FIT licensee immediately; a Continuity of FIT Payments Direction may recover missed payments.
• Bereavement: Good Energy describes a separate digital form for transfers after the death of an owner, requiring photo identification, the will or probate document and a copy of the death certificate.
• Taking the panels with you: the Good Energy guide does not address relocating panels to another property, and the Ofgem page read does not either, so a seller who plans to remove them should raise this with the licensee and the buyer’s solicitor before the contract is signed.

Timing within the move

Because a completion date can slip, meter readings and paperwork should be kept ready. The site’s article on what happens if completion is delayed shows how a shifted date affects other arrangements, and the guide to gas and electricity meter readings on a move covers the ordinary supply account.

Common questions

Do the payments go with the house?

Ofgem’s guidance treats the new property owner as the person to be registered with the licensee. The transfer is not automatic; the buyer has to notify the licensee and agree new terms.

Does this apply in Northern Ireland?

No. Ofgem says the scheme operates in Great Britain only.

Can a new customer join the FIT now?

Ofgem says it closed to new applicants from 1 April 2019, so it concerns existing registered installations.

The bottom line

When a home with FIT-registered solar panels is sold, the seller needs to notify the licensee and supply a generation meter reading at completion, and the buyer needs to have ownership recorded and agree new terms, a process Ofgem says takes about four to five weeks. Larger and rent-a-roof installations follow different steps, and moving panels to a new property is not covered by the guidance read, so it should be raised early.

Sources

• Ofgem, “Feed-in Tariffs (FIT): Generators” (ofgem.gov.uk)
• Good Energy, “How to make changes to your FIT installation” (goodenergy.co.uk)

For people planning to retire abroad, one of the largest financial questions is what happens to the State Pension when they leave the UK. The pension can usually be claimed from overseas, but whether it rises each year depends on where the person lives. This article summarises the GOV.UK guide “Get your State Pension if you retire abroad”, in particular the pages on claiming and on how the pension is affected. The State Pension is a UK-wide benefit, and the rules described are those the guide sets out for people who live abroad. It is general information, not financial or pension advice, and it does not cover pension forecasts or private pensions.

Claiming from overseas

GOV.UK says a person can claim the State Pension abroad if they have paid enough UK National Insurance contributions to qualify, or have relevant overseas work or residence history. The guide says a person must be within four months of their State Pension age to claim. To claim, the guide says to contact the International Pension Centre or use the international claim form. This is a step to schedule well before the removal date, so the paperwork does not fall in the middle of a house sale or shipment.

How the money is paid

The pension can be paid into a bank account in the country of residence or into a UK bank or building society account. GOV.UK says that for overseas accounts, the claimant will need to provide the IBAN, BIC or the bank and branch codes. When paid into a foreign account, the amount is usually converted into local currency at the exchange rate at the time of conversion, and there is a conversion charge of 0.39% before payment. Recipients can choose payment every 4 or 13 weeks, and pensions under £5 a week are paid annually in December. Because exchange rates vary, a pension paid in euros or another currency will not be the same amount each period.

The guide also mentions delays around US federal holidays for payments to the United States. Anyone moving there should read that section of the guide to see what timing it describes.

The annual increase depends on where you live

The key point in the GOV.UK guide is that the State Pension only increases each year if the person lives in certain places. It lists:

• the European Economic Area (EEA);
• Gibraltar;
• Switzerland; and
• countries that have a social security agreement with the UK, with the exception of Canada and New Zealand, which the guide says do not receive increases.

Anywhere else, the pension is frozen. GOV.UK explains that a frozen pension stays fixed at its current value and does not rise annually, unlike the pension paid to those living in the countries above. The guide adds that the pension will go up to the current rate if the person returns to live in the UK.

The guide page read for this article does not include a list of the individual social security agreement countries, or current pension rates, so both should be checked on GOV.UK before a decision is made. The result is that two people with identical UK records can receive very different amounts after several years, depending only on where each moved.

What this means when choosing a destination

Moving home internationally usually involves a shortlist of countries, weighed against cost of living, healthcare and climate. The uprating rule adds another factor that only shows its effect over time. A person who retires to a frozen-rate country receives the same nominal amount year after year, so its value against prices may fall. That is an observation about how a fixed amount behaves, and GOV.UK does not quantify it. The site’s guide to tax residence and UK income after moving abroad covers the tax side of leaving, and its article on shipping and customs for a move abroad deals with the physical move.

A checklist before leaving

• Check whether the destination is in the EEA, Gibraltar, Switzerland or a country with an agreement, and whether it is one of the exceptions the guide names.
• Decide whether the pension will be paid into a UK account or a local account, bearing in mind the 0.39% conversion charge on foreign payments.
• Have IBAN and BIC or local bank and branch codes ready if paying into an overseas account.
• Contact the International Pension Centre when the claim window approaches, using the international claim form.
• Read the full GOV.UK guide for the specific country, as the guide is a summary and the destination country’s rules on residence also matter. For example, see the site’s article on moving to Spain.

Common questions

Does the pension stop if I move abroad?

No. GOV.UK says the pension can be claimed abroad and paid into a bank in the country of residence or in the UK.

Will it be frozen in Canada?

The guide says Canada and New Zealand are exceptions among the agreement countries and do not receive increases.

Does moving back restore the increases?

GOV.UK says the pension will go up to the current rate on returning to live in the UK.

Are the rates and country list fixed?

No. Government rules and payment rates can change, so the GOV.UK pages should be re-checked when the decision is being made.

The bottom line

The State Pension can be paid abroad, but it only receives yearly increases in the EEA, Gibraltar, Switzerland and most social security agreement countries, with Canada and New Zealand named as exceptions. Elsewhere it stays frozen. Because the difference builds up over years, the destination country deserves a place in the moving plan alongside visas, shipping and tax.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Get your State Pension if you retire abroad”
• GOV.UK, “Get your State Pension if you retire abroad: How your pension is affected”

A wood-burning stove or open fire can be a selling point in a new home, but it may not be legal to use it in the way the previous owner did. Many areas of the UK are smoke control areas, where the rules restrict what can be burned and on which appliance. This article summarises the GOV.UK guidance on smoke control area rules and the Smoke Control Areas website maintained with HETAS. The penalties quoted are those GOV.UK gives for England, and GOV.UK says the guidance applies primarily to England, so people moving in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland should check the devolved rules linked from the smoke control website. This is general information, not legal advice.

What a smoke control area is

GOV.UK explains that many areas of the UK restrict domestic burning. In these areas a household cannot release smoke from a chimney unless it uses an authorised fuel or an appliance approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The boundaries are set locally, so a street can be inside an area while the next town is not. New occupiers do not always know, because nothing about a chimney or stove reveals it.

What can be burned

According to GOV.UK, permitted fuels include anthracite, semi-anthracite, gas, low volatile steam coal and other fuels on the official authorised fuels list. Fuels not on that list, such as ordinary wood, can only be burned in an exempt appliance. GOV.UK describes exempt appliances as some boilers, cookers and stoves that carry Defra certification. The Smoke Control Areas website provides dedicated lists of exempt appliances and authorised fuels for residents to consult, and says it covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with links to the devolved administrations’ sites for the other three nations.

The practical point for a mover is that the stove itself needs checking, not just the location. A stove that is fine in a smoke control area must be on the exempt list and used with permitted fuel. A previous owner’s certificate or fitter’s paperwork may help, but it is the appliance model and the fuel that count.

Penalties in England

GOV.UK states that in England a penalty of up to £300 may be imposed for releasing smoke from a chimney in a smoke control area, and that a fine of up to £1,000 may be imposed for purchasing unauthorised fuel for a non-approved appliance. Those figures are given for England on the page consulted; the guidance says other nations may differ, and the sources read do not give the devolved penalties. Because these are the amounts stated by GOV.UK at the time of reading, they should be checked again on the page before relying on them.

Things that are still allowed

GOV.UK says outdoor barbecues, chimineas and pizza ovens are permitted in smoke control areas. Garden bonfires are also allowed but are subject to separate bonfire regulations, which the page does not set out. The smoke control rules concern chimneys and fuel burned inside homes, rather than outdoor cooking.

How to check before or after a move

• Contact the local council’s environmental services department, which GOV.UK identifies as the route to find out whether a property is in a smoke control area. The Smoke Control Areas website itself does not explain how to check an individual address.
• Ask for the make and model of any stove or fire in the property and compare it with the exempt appliances list.
• Check which fuels the household expects to burn against the authorised fuels list before ordering a delivery.
• Ask the seller or landlord for the appliance manual and installation paperwork, which help identify the exact model when comparing it with the exempt list.

For other appliance checks on moving in, see the site’s note on gas cookers and boilers, which covers a different safety issue.

Why the check belongs in the moving plan

A move involves many administrative tasks, and heating is often left until the first cold evening. Checking the smoke control position early avoids buying fuel that cannot lawfully be burned, or discovering that an appliance the household expected to use is not exempt. It also affects what to ask when comparing homes, since a fireplace that cannot be used with the fuel a household prefers may be worth less to that household. The site’s guide to council tax and rates when you move is another council contact worth making at the same time, and the council can be asked about both together.

Common questions

Does a smoke control area ban wood stoves?

GOV.UK says unapproved fuels such as wood may be burned only in exempt appliances, so a Defra-exempt stove can burn wood, while an unapproved one cannot.

Can I still use a barbecue or pizza oven?

Yes. GOV.UK says outdoor barbecues, chimineas and pizza ovens are permitted.

Do the same rules apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

GOV.UK says the guidance applies primarily to England and that the other nations may have different rules. The Smoke Control Areas website links to their sites.

The bottom line

Anyone moving into a home with a fire or stove should find out whether the address lies in a smoke control area, ask the council, and check that the appliance and fuel are permitted. GOV.UK gives England-specific penalties of up to £300 and £1,000, and directs residents in the other nations to their own rules. Outdoor cooking is not affected.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Smoke control area rules”
• Defra and HETAS, “Smoke Control Areas” (smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk)

Portugal is a popular destination for people leaving the UK, and the practical steps of the move sit alongside the visa and residence process. This article summarises the GOV.UK guidance “Living in Portugal” (last updated 10 July 2026 in the version consulted) and the GOV.UK foreign travel advice entry requirements for Portugal. It is written for British nationals moving from the UK, and covers residence, household goods, driving, pets and travel rules. Immigration and customs rules are set by Portugal and can change, so the Portuguese consulate and AIMA remain the authorities to confirm with. This is general information, not immigration advice.

Residence: visa first, card after arrival

GOV.UK says people should make sure they meet the entry requirements for Portugal before travelling, and check with the Portuguese consulate which visa or residence card is needed. It states that to become a resident, a person should enter the country on a residence visa and then apply for a residence card after arrival. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) handles applications. Carrying a valid residence document is a legal requirement in Portugal. Temporary residence cards must be renewed every 2 to 3 years and permanent residence documents every 5 years, according to the guidance.

British nationals who moved to Portugal before 1 January 2021 have separate Withdrawal Agreement protections and can obtain a Withdrawal Agreement residence permit. After five years of residence they may be eligible for a permanent residence card valid for 10 years. Those who moved before that date and lack current documentation are directed to AIMA with proof of earlier residence. The rest of this article concerns people moving now, who need the visa route.

The guidance lists categories including work, study, retirement and digital nomad visas, and says applicants should contact the Portuguese consulates in London or Manchester or AIMA for the requirements. The types and criteria are Portugal’s, and the GOV.UK page points to them without setting them out.

Household goods and the baggage certificate

For the removal itself, GOV.UK says that to import personal belongings to Portugal, including household goods, a baggage certificate may be needed, and that it is requested from the Portuguese Consulate General in London. Whether one is needed depends on the person’s circumstances, so it is worth asking the consulate before the shipment is booked and before a removal company completes its customs paperwork. The site’s guide to planning shipping and customs for a move abroad explains how to ask movers about who handles documents and duties.

The 90-day rule and the Entry/Exit System

GOV.UK’s foreign travel advice says British citizens can visit Portugal for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period without a visa for tourism, family visits, business or short-term study. Time spent in Portugal does not count towards that 90-day allowance if the person holds a Portuguese residence card or a long-stay visa, and the guidance advises carrying a passport and residence document when travelling within the Schengen area. For passports, the travel advice says the date of issue must be less than 10 years before arrival, and the passport must be valid for at least three months after the planned departure from the Schengen area.

The EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ fingerprints and photographs; the travel advice says a digital EES record is valid for three years. The living guidance says British nationals legally resident in Portugal with a biometric residence card do not need to register with the EES. Someone still waiting for a card should keep evidence of their visa or application.

Driving licence and vehicle papers

GOV.UK says UK, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar licence holders who are registered residents can drive on their existing licence until it expires. To exchange for a Portuguese licence, a driver needs a check code from the DVLA (or the Driver and Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland) and must follow the Portuguese Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) process. A temporary permit, the “guia”, allows driving while the new licence is produced. Anyone driving a vehicle in Portugal is advised to carry the vehicle logbook (documento único automóvel), insurance documents, the road tax document (imposto único de circulação) and a test certificate. For taking a UK-registered vehicle abroad permanently, the site’s article on exporting a vehicle and the DVLA notification process covers the UK side.

Pets

The guidance tells owners to read GOV.UK guidance on taking a dog, cat or ferret abroad and to check the European Commission’s advice on the movement of pets for current requirements. The site’s explanation of the animal health certificate and the Northern Ireland difference gives the UK-side detail.

Health care, tax and other administration

GOV.UK says registered residents should enrol with Portugal’s national health service (SNS) and will have the same rights to treatment as a Portuguese citizen; some people with UK pensions may qualify for continued NHS-funded care through an S1 form. It also states that the UK-Portugal double taxation agreement prevents the same income being taxed twice. The UK tax position on leaving is set out in the site’s article on tax residence and split-year treatment.

Common questions

Can I move first and sort the visa out afterwards?

GOV.UK says to enter on a residence visa and apply for the residence card after arrival, so the visa should be settled before the move.

Does a removal company arrange the baggage certificate?

The guidance says the certificate is requested from the Portuguese Consulate General in London. Ask the mover in writing what it will and will not handle.

Can I keep driving on my UK licence?

Registered residents can drive on it until expiry, according to GOV.UK, and can exchange it using a DVLA check code.

The bottom line

A move to Portugal works best when the sequence is right: settle the visa, ask the consulate about the baggage certificate before shipping household goods, understand that residents’ time does not count against the 90-day Schengen allowance, and plan the licence exchange and pet paperwork. GOV.UK’s guidance is a starting point, and the Portuguese authorities set the detailed rules.

Sources

• GOV.UK, “Living in Portugal”
• GOV.UK, “Portugal travel advice: Entry requirements”