Moving_in

Moving In to a new Home

🏠 Housing & Settling In

  • Renting in South Australia
  • Buying a Home in SA
    • Link: sa.gov.au/topics/housing/buying-a-home
    • Description: A step-by-step guide to the purchasing process in Adelaide, including information on property inspections, contracts, and settlement.
  • HomeSeeker SA (Affordable Housing)
    • Link: homeseeker.sa.gov.au
    • Description: A government portal providing exclusive access to affordable homes and land packages for eligible buyers with lower to moderate incomes.

⚡ Utility Connections & Comparison

  • Energy Made Easy (Official Government Comparison)
    • Link: energymadeeasy.gov.au
    • Description: This is the free, independent Australian Government service that lets you compare electricity and gas plans from all retailers. It is the best way to ensure you are getting the cheapest rate when connecting power to your new home.
  • SA Water
    • Link: sawater.com.au
    • Description: The state’s water provider. Homeowners should ensure their account is updated via their conveyancer, while tenants should check their lease agreements regarding water usage billing.
  • NBN Co (Internet Availability)
    • Link: nbnco.com.au
    • Description: Use this site to check what type of National Broadband Network connection is available at your new address before you contact an internet service provider.

📦 Essential Services & Admin

  • SA.GOV.AU – Change of Address
  • Find Your Local Council
    • Link: localcouncils.sa.gov.au
    • Description: A directory to find which of the 68 South Australian councils you belong to. Essential for finding bin collection schedules and local library services.
  • Dogs and Cats Online (DACO)
    • Link: dogsandcatsonline.com.au
    • Description: The central database for all pet registrations in South Australia. If you move, you must update your pet’s address details here.
  • Australia Post – Mail Redirection

🏠 Managing Your New Home: Who is Responsible?

When you move into a new property in Adelaide, responsibilities are generally divided into three tiers. Understanding who to contact for what can save you a lot of time.

1. The Council’s Role (The Neighborhood)

The local council is responsible for the public infrastructure surrounding your home.

  • Bins & Waste: Providing bins, weekly collection, and “Hard Waste” pick-ups (old furniture/mattresses).
  • Streets & Footpaths: Maintaining roads, public signs, street lighting, and fixing cracked footpaths.
  • Verges & Trees: Pruning trees on the nature strip and maintaining local parks.
  • Resource: Find Your Local Council & Bin Days — Enter your suburb to find your specific council’s website and waste calendar.
  • Resource: WhichBin SA — A brilliant guide on what goes in which bin (Yellow, Blue, or Green) to avoid fines.

2. The Strata/Body Corporate Role (Common Property)

If you live in a unit, townhouse, or apartment, you are likely part of a Strata Title.

  • Common Areas: Maintaining shared driveways, elevators, communal gardens, and building exteriors (roofs and gutters).
  • Building Insurance: Generally, the Strata handles the insurance for the structure of the building, while you handle the contents.
  • Rules (By-Laws): Setting rules for parking, noise, and whether you can have pets.
  • Resource: Legal Services Commission – Strata Titles — A general guide explaining how strata works in South Australia and what your rights are.

3. The Homeowner’s Role (Inside the Boundary)

You are responsible for everything within your specific property boundary.

  • Maintenance: Fixing leaky taps, internal electrical issues, and painting.
  • Fencing: Shared fences are usually a joint responsibility between you and your neighbor.
  • Rates & Taxes: Paying your quarterly Council Rates and Emergency Services Levy (ESL).
  • Resource: SA.GOV.AU – Home Maintenance & Boundaries — Information on legal responsibilities regarding fences, trees, and repairs.

🛠️ Essential Service Directory

  • SA Water – Report a Leak
    • Link: sawater.com.au/faults-and-outages
    • Description: Use this to report water leaks or bursts on the street (Council/SA Water responsibility) or to check for water outages in your area.
  • SA Power Networks – Outages
    • Link: sapowernetworks.com.au
    • Description: The company that maintains the poles and wires. Contact them if the power goes out in your entire street or to report fallen power lines.
  • PlanSA (Renovations & Building)
    • Link: plan.sa.gov.au
    • Description: Before you build a shed, a deck, or a new fence, check this site to see if you need “Development Approval” from the council.
  • Fencing Help (Legal Services Commission)