Moving house questions answered

Moving house FAQ: utilities and timing

Sort out your key date and utilities turn-on before you book movers or cleaners.

How long before moving should I schedule the supply turn-on?

SP Group asks you to allow 7 business days after opening your utilities account, so open it well before your move. BTO flats need no turn-on appointment. Resale HDB flats and other homes get an on-site safety inspection, with the account holder or a representative present. Our moving house checklist puts these steps in order.

When do I get the keys to a resale flat?

You get the keys at resale completion. HDB says completion is about 8 weeks after it accepts the resale application, so you can plan movers, cleaning and the utilities turn-on around that window. Once you have the keys, walk through the flat with our resale flat inspection checklist before the furniture arrives.

Do I need an SP account if I buy from a retailer?

Yes. SP Group says you need an SP utilities account even if you buy electricity from a retailer. Open it for the new home either way, then decide whether to stay on the SP tariff or sign up with a retailer. Our comparison of the open electricity market or SP tariff sets out how the two choices differ.

Checks in the new home

Not every mark is a fault: MyNiceHome says slight colour variations in floor tiles or timber flooring, or in the width of tile grouting, are normal and not considered defects.

What should I check in a new BTO flat?

Look for defects and report them early. HDB asks you to report items within 1 month of key collection and before your renovation works begin. This saves investigating later whether a defect came from construction or renovation. Newly completed flats have a 1-year DLP from key collection. Our BTO defects checklist helps you go through each space.

What electrical checks should I do in a resale flat?

Start with the RCCB. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) says to test it once a month; it is usually in the distribution board (DB box) and has a "Test" button. EMA adds that HDB flats built before 1985 did not come with one unless the owner installed it later. Our resale flat electrical checklist covers the rest.

Cleaning and services

Cleaning and servicing fit around two dates: when the movers empty the old home and when your furniture reaches the new one.

Should I book move-out cleaning for my old home?

Book it if you will not have time to clean the old home yourself during the move. Schedule it after the movers have cleared the rooms, so the cleaners can reach every corner. Price depends on the job, so compare companies on our move-out cleaning page. Tenants can prepare for handover with our end-of-tenancy checklist.

Should the aircon be serviced when I move in?

It is a sensible start if you do not know when the units were last serviced. The National Environment Agency (NEA) advises servicing aircon units regularly, getting them inspected annually and checking the filter once a month. It also suggests setting the temperature at 25 degrees C. Our new home move-in checklist lists the other jobs to plan.

Closing the old home

Close the old home's accounts once your handover date is fixed.

How do I close my SP account at the old home?

Close the account at the old home, then open one for the new home. SP Group says retailer customers close their electricity account with their retailer, and the account closes automatically when a new occupant opens one for the same premises. Any remaining deposit is refunded after the final bill; allow up to 30 business days.

Who handles gas in the new home?

City Energy does. SP Group says gas activation is managed separately by City Energy once your SP account is confirmed, so open the SP account first. If you are choosing a water heater for the new home, our comparison of a gas or electric water heater sets out how the two differ.

Where to go next

If your moving house questions in Singapore turn to renovation, or to a job you cannot match to a trade, these pages pick up from here:

• Post-renovation cleaning for the clean-up once the contractor has finished.
• Which service you need when you are not sure which trade fits a job.
• Pre-renovation checklist before any work starts in the new home.

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