Need to know what to do after you’ve bought a new home in Trinidad and Tobago? You’ve come to the right place!
Step 1: Change the locks of your new home
Ideally, the first thing that you need to do after you’ve bought a new home is change the locks. Changing the locks is an important step to secure your new home.
This step doesn’t have to be difficult either. Most local hardware stores carry new locks and it’s fairly simply to DIY with a screwdriver, a hacksaw blade and sandpaper (in most cases).
You can find a list of local hardware stores here.
Step 2: Transfer the utilities and taxation records of your new home to your name
After you’ve bought a new home, you will need to ensure that all utilities and taxation records associated with the house are in your name. The process depends on the type of utility.
Electricity
T&TEC has helpfully listed the requirements to transfer a residential account here. As at date of publication, the fee is $95.00.
WASA & Taxation Records
Before you can transfer the account at WASA, you will need to ensure that the taxation record is in your name and obtain a certificate of payment. In order to change the taxation record, you will need –
- a certified copy of the deed of conveyance/assignment/certificate of title;
- national picture identification; and
- a certified statutory declaration in the form required by WASA.
Your lawyer should provide you with the certified copy of your deed or with the updated certificate of title. Simply take that document to the District Revenue Office associated with your home’s location to request the change.
After the taxation record is changed and you’ve received the certificate of payment from the District Revenue Office, submit the application form for a Name Change and the associated documents to a WASA office. As at date of publication, the fee is $95.00.
Landline Telephone
Coming soon!
Step 3: Assess the urgent maintenance needs of your new home
If you’ve bought a new build, you’ll just need to worry about moving in. However, if you bought an older home, there may be some maintenance tasks that require urgent attention after you get the keys to your home.
Ideally, you should have noticed these issues when you were buying your home, and accounted for the cost. However, if you didn’t, just roll with the punches and do what you can. That’s the reality of home ownership 99% of the time.
Step 4: Change your Address after you’ve bought a new home
After you’ve moved in to your new house, here are many places that you may need to inform of your change of address, such as your employer. However, in my opinion, the two most important places that you need to notify of your new address are –
- the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC): for voting reasons; and
- the bank: because they hold your money for you.
When it comes to the EBC, you will need to go to the office in your new region to obtain a change of address. You can find a list of EBC offices here. Informing the EBC will allow you to vote in the district in which you now live. According to the EBC’s website, a change of address does not require the issue of a new ID card.
The process for informing the bank of your change of address may differ according to your chosen bank. Consider contacting your banking representative for more information.
As the old people say, house work never done. This is just the start of an awesome journey!
