Settlement day is an exciting milestone when buying a property in Victoria.

After months of inspections, finance, contracts and conveyancing, the transaction has finally settled and you have the keys.

But what happens next?

Many buyers think everything is finished once settlement occurs. In reality, there are still several practical things to organise after settlement.

This checklist explains what buyers should consider after purchasing a property in Victoria.

1. Confirm Settlement Has Occurred

Your conveyancer should confirm when settlement has been completed.

Once settlement occurs, you can generally collect the keys in accordance with the arrangements for the transaction.

Your conveyancer may also provide you with a settlement confirmation or other post-settlement documentation.

Keep these records with your property documents.

2. Collect the Keys

If the property is being handed over to you at settlement, arrange to collect the keys from the selling agent or as otherwise agreed.

You may receive keys for:

Front and rear doors
Garage
Letterbox
Security doors
Windows
Storage areas
Other locks or access points

If you have purchased an apartment or townhouse, you may also need:

Building access fobs
Garage remotes
Security access cards
Mailbox keys
Common area access devices

Check that you receive the keys and access devices that were agreed to be provided.

3. Check the Property After Settlement

Once you have access to the property, check that everything appears as expected.

This is different from your final inspection before settlement.

You should check:

The property
Fixtures
Appliances included in the contract
Garage
Storage areas
Outdoor areas
Keys and remotes
Any agreed inclusions

If you discover an issue that you believe relates to the seller’s obligations under the contract, contact your conveyancer promptly.

You can also read our article:

What Should I Check at the Final Inspection Before Settlement?

4. Make Sure Your Building Insurance Is in Place

If you have not already arranged insurance, make sure your insurance arrangements are appropriate for the property.

Depending on the property, you may need to consider:

Building insurance
Contents insurance
Landlord insurance
Other appropriate cover

If you purchased an apartment or property affected by an Owners Corporation, check the relevant building insurance arrangements.

You can read our article:

When Should I Buy Building Insurance? Do I Need Title Insurance?

5. Connect Electricity and Gas

Electricity and gas are separate from the conveyancing process.

If you are moving into the property, make sure the relevant services are connected or transferred into your name.

Contact your preferred providers and arrange the account from the appropriate date.

Do not assume that your conveyancer has arranged these services for you.

6. Arrange Internet and Other Services

If you need internet at your new property, arrange your connection or transfer as soon as possible.

Depending on the property and provider, installation may take time.

You may also need to arrange:

Security systems
Solar monitoring
Waste services
Alarm monitoring
Other property-related services

7. Check Your Council Details

After settlement, check that the relevant local council has the correct ownership and contact information.

Depending on the circumstances, ownership information may be updated through the relevant processes.

However, you should not assume that every council account detail has automatically been updated.

Check that:

Your name is recorded correctly
Your postal address is correct
Future rates notices will reach you
Any relevant council services are set up correctly

For more information, see:

Do I Need to Contact Council and the Water Authority After Settlement?

8. Check Your Water Account

Water and sewerage services are also separate from your conveyancing instructions.

Check that the relevant water authority has your correct details and that future accounts will be issued to you.

Remember that water charges may have been adjusted between the buyer and seller at settlement.

Your future water charges will generally relate to your period of ownership.

9. Check Owners Corporation Arrangements

If you have purchased an apartment, unit, townhouse or other property affected by an Owners Corporation, make sure your contact details have been provided to the Owners Corporation manager where required.

Find out:

How Owners Corporation fees are issued
When payments are due
How to make payments
Whether meetings are scheduled
Whether there are relevant notices
Whether there are any upcoming works or issues

Keep copies of Owners Corporation correspondence.

10. Check Your Settlement Statement

Your conveyancer should provide you with the relevant settlement documentation.

Keep your settlement statement because it records important financial information about the transaction.

It may include:

Purchase price
Deposit
Settlement adjustments
Rates adjustments
Water adjustments
Owners Corporation adjustments
Loan amounts
Other settlement amounts

Keep this information with your property records.

11. Keep Your Contract and Vendor Statement

Do not throw away your property documents after settlement.

Keep copies of:

Contract of Sale
Vendor Statement
Settlement statement
Transfer documentation
Title information
Searches
Loan documents
Insurance documents
Relevant correspondence

You may need these documents in the future.

12. Confirm Registration of the Transfer

Settlement and registration are separate steps.

After settlement, the Transfer of Land needs to be registered with the relevant land titles authority.

Your conveyancer will generally monitor the registration process and advise you when registration has occurred.

You should not necessarily expect to receive a physical Certificate of Title.

For more information, read:

Will I Receive a Copy of the Title After Settlement? How Do I Prove My Ownership?

13. Understand How You Prove Ownership

Victorian property titles are generally managed electronically.

Once the transfer has been registered, the land register will show the registered proprietor.

Depending on what you need the evidence for, you may use:

An updated title search
Registration confirmation
Registered transfer
Other official documentation

If a bank, insurer or other organisation asks you to prove ownership, ask what documentation they require.

14. Update Your Address

If the property is now your home, remember to update your address with organisations that need your new details.

This may include:

Banks
Insurance companies
Government departments
Schools
Employers
Superannuation providers
Medical providers
Subscription services

Your conveyancer will not generally update all of your personal accounts for you.

15. Check Your Home Loan

If you have obtained finance, keep your loan and mortgage documents in a safe place.

Check:

Loan amount
Interest rate
Repayment frequency
Direct debit arrangements
Loan account details
Insurance requirements

If anything looks different from what you expected, contact your lender.

16. Check Your Insurance Details

If your property is owner-occupied, make sure your insurer has the correct:

Property address
Occupancy details
Building information
Contact details

If you are renting the property out, make sure your insurer knows that it is an investment property.

A change from owner-occupied to rental use may require different insurance.

17. If You Bought an Investment Property

If the property is an investment, there are additional matters to organise.

These may include:

Property manager
Landlord insurance
Tenant arrangements
Rental payments
Water billing arrangements
Council information
Tax records
Land tax considerations

Keep records of your purchase costs and settlement documents because they may be relevant to your tax affairs.

For tax advice, speak with your accountant or tax adviser.

18. What If You Change the Property From Your Home to an Investment?

If you initially purchased the property as your principal place of residence but later decide to rent it out, don’t simply change the tenant arrangements without reviewing the consequences.

You may need to consider:

Insurance
Land tax
Your lender
Council
Tax
Property management
Rental requirements

This is a separate issue from the conveyancing process and may require advice from other professionals.

19. Check for Outstanding Repairs or Issues

If there were agreed repairs or other matters to be addressed as part of the transaction, keep records of what was agreed.

If you believe the seller has not complied with an obligation under the Contract of Sale, contact your conveyancer promptly.

Do not assume that an issue automatically becomes your responsibility simply because settlement has occurred.

20. Change Your Locks

This is not a conveyancing requirement, but it is a practical security consideration.

You do not necessarily know who may have copies of the previous keys.

Consider changing or re-keying locks after moving into the property.

For apartments, check with the Owners Corporation before changing locks affecting common access systems.

21. Check Smoke Alarms and Safety Devices

Once you move in, familiarise yourself with the property’s safety equipment.

Depending on the property, this may include:

Smoke alarms
Security systems
Electrical safety devices
Gas appliances
Pool safety arrangements

If you have concerns about safety or compliance, obtain appropriate professional advice.

22. Keep Your Property Records Organised

Create a property folder, either physical or digital.

Consider keeping:

Purchase documents

Contract of Sale
Vendor Statement
Searches
Building and pest report

Settlement documents

Settlement statement
Transfer documentation
Registration confirmation
Title search

Finance

Loan documents
Mortgage documents
Bank correspondence

Insurance

Building insurance
Contents insurance
Landlord insurance, if applicable

Ongoing property documents

Council rates
Water bills
Owners Corporation notices
Repairs and maintenance records

Keeping good records will make future refinancing, selling or tax reporting much easier.

Your Post-Settlement Checklist

Use this quick checklist after settlement:

Settlement

☐ Confirm settlement has occurred
☐ Collect keys
☐ Keep settlement confirmation

Property

☐ Check the property
☐ Check inclusions
☐ Check appliances
☐ Check garage and storage areas
☐ Change locks if appropriate

Insurance

☐ Confirm building insurance
☐ Arrange contents insurance if required
☐ Arrange landlord insurance if applicable

Utilities

☐ Electricity
☐ Gas
☐ Internet
☐ Other services

Council & Water

☐ Check council details
☐ Check rates arrangements
☐ Check water account
☐ Confirm contact details

Owners Corporation

☐ Update contact details
☐ Check fee arrangements
☐ Check upcoming notices and meetings

Documents

☐ Keep Contract of Sale
☐ Keep Vendor Statement
☐ Keep settlement statement
☐ Keep transfer documentation
☐ Confirm registration
☐ Keep title information

Personal

☐ Update your address
☐ Update your bank
☐ Update insurance
☐ Update government records
☐ Update school/employer/other important records

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after settlement?

Confirm settlement, collect the keys, make sure your insurance is in place and arrange utilities and other services.

Do I need to contact council after settlement?

You should check that the council has the correct ownership and contact details and that future rates notices will reach you.

Do I need to contact the water authority?

Check that your water account and contact details are correctly set up after settlement.

Will I receive a paper title?

Generally, you should not expect a new physical Certificate of Title. Victorian titles are generally managed electronically.

How do I prove I own the property?

Once the transfer has been registered, an updated title search or other official registration documentation may provide evidence of ownership.

Do I need to change my electricity and gas?

Yes. These services are separate from the conveyancing process and should be arranged with your chosen providers.

What if I bought an apartment?

Check your Owners Corporation arrangements, including fees, insurance, access systems and contact details.

What if I am renting the property out?

Make sure your property manager, insurer and relevant authorities have the correct information, and consider your tax and land tax obligations.

What if I discover a problem after settlement?

Contact your conveyancer promptly if you believe the issue relates to an obligation under the Contract of Sale or another matter arising from the transaction.

How Prox Conveyancing Can Help

Settlement may mark the completion of the conveyancing transaction, but there are still practical steps to take afterwards.

At Prox Conveyancing, we help Victorian buyers understand the conveyancing process from contract through to settlement and registration.

If you are unsure what happens after settlement or what documents you should receive, speak with your conveyancer.

Being organised after settlement can make moving into your new property much easier and ensure that important records and accounts are properly arranged.

About the Author

Meet Sally

Sally Kwok is a Licensed Conveyancer and the Director of Prox Conveyancing. With more than 16 years of experience in the conveyancing industry, she is committed to helping buyers and sellers navigate Victorian property transactions with confidence. Sally is passionate about providing clear communication, practical guidance and personalised service throughout every stage of the conveyancing process.

👉 Learn more about Sally on our About page.

About Prox Conveyancing

Prox Conveyancing is a Victorian conveyancing practice providing professional conveyancing services for residential property transactions across Victoria. We assist buyers, sellers, investors and families with a wide range of conveyancing matters, delivering personalised service, transparent communication and professional support from contract through to settlement.

👉 Learn more about Prox Conveyancing on our About page.

This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Every property transaction is unique, and the information above may not apply to your particular circumstances. If you require advice about your specific situation, please contact a qualified legal professional or licensed conveyancer.