I am in the latter stages of buying a new apartment in Vaud. I have arranged a date to take possession, but am not sure what the process looks like.

Grateful for any advice. Some questions include:

• How do I go about finalising payment (I have a promise of a mortgage from UBS and have paid the deposit)?
• When do you think I can start getting mail delivered - from the date I take occupation?
• Is there the equivalent of snagging, i.e inspecting the quality of work and getting things fixed? And is it likely a lot will need sorting out?
• What arrangements need to be made with other residents and how does that work (e.g. washing machine rota, charges etc)?
• Is there any reason I can't move in on the day I take possession?

There's probably tons of other things I need to know. I am currently registered in BL, as is my car.

Should I have somebody with good French to accompany me? My French is not brilliant, although it has got me this far with the purchase.

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Nic Oatridge
www.swisswintersports.co.uk

a) not sure how it works exactly. We had our mortgage through UBS and as far as I know they organised it all. We certainly didn't.

b) If you've got your mailbox set up with your name on it and let the Post Office know in good time then you should be able to get mail delivered as soon as you take possession. You can notify the Post Office online about the change of address and when it's applicable from.

c) Yes. You should go over everything with the seller and make notes of things that need fixing/altering. And yes, a lot could be wrong that needs sorting out.

d) I guess that depends on whether or not the building will have a courciege. If so, then I would guess it's part of their duties to sort things like that out.

e) I don't think so, but frankly it could be pushing it a bit. You have the paperwork, the inspection which you have no idea how long that will take, etc, without adding moving in at the same time. I'd give it a day or two, since the inspection may turn up major problems that could delay you living there.

Definitely take a translator with you if you can. You need to understand exactly what you're being told. If you misunderstand then you have no comeback. And if you haven't already found one, get a notary who speaks English and can translate the sales contract for you. You and the seller will meet at the notary's office to go through the contract and they should translate each paragraph for you so you understand exactly what yours and the seller's obligations are regardng the purchase. This is what our notary did for us. Also bear in mind that you can negotiate on things if you want. We had a few small changes done the contract, the notary had his staff make the changes straightaway before we signed.

I thought the Notary had an obligation to be sure everybody understand what they are signing so an official translator will usually need to be present.

May be fatmanfilms, if the notary doesn't speak English. But we asked our estate agent to find a notary who spoke English and he did the translation for us during the meeting.

Thanks for the feedback. We have had the meeting with the notary, so all the contractual stuff is sorted out - just the moving in.

We don't have a concierge, but I know from previously renting in Switzerland there are a lot of things tenants have to work out between themselves - and wash days, once decided, are hard to change.

I think I will take a French-speaking native with me. I guess there is a forum for advertising for somebody who can do that. I'll look. However if there is anyone in the Bex to Vevey area who is available daytimes and can join me in my adventures sorting out taking occupation (obviously for a fee), let me know.

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Nic Oatridge
www.swisswintersports.co.uk