Selling your home in Hartford County can get hectic fast. Between permits, utilities, movers, and the final handoff, little details can snowball into delays. You want a clean, stress‑reduced move and a smooth closing. This week‑by‑week checklist gives you a clear plan tailored to how things work across Hartford County towns, so you can stay ahead of deadlines and hand over the keys with confidence. Let’s dive in.
How Hartford County rules work
In Connecticut, counties are not the governing body for permits or services. Each town or city handles its own building permits, health department rules for septic and wells, bulk trash pickup, dumpster or street permits, and land records. That means your checklist should include early calls to your property’s specific municipality.
For utility questions beyond your town’s website, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority lists regulated providers and contacts. For electric and natural gas service in much of Hartford County, you will likely work with Eversource. For radon, wells, and septic guidance, review the Connecticut Department of Public Health. For hazardous waste and disposal rules, use the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
Week‑by‑week seller moving checklist
6–8 weeks before your move
Start the paper trail and prep your home for market and closing.
- Gather permits and records: building permits with final sign‑offs, any certificates of occupancy, existing survey or plot plan, prior inspection reports, HVAC and appliance manuals, warranties, solar docs, and any transferable service contracts.
- Collect water system info: septic and well records, including install date and maintenance/pump history. Review radon test results and mitigation docs if available, and lead‑based paint records for pre‑1978 homes.
- If you have an HOA, pull bylaws, budgets, recent meeting minutes, and any assessment info.
- Request a mortgage payoff statement from your lender. Note the payoff quote and expiration date for your closing attorney or settlement agent.
- Order a current survey if yours is old or missing, since buyers and lenders often ask.
- Begin decluttering and sort what to donate, dispose, or sell. Confirm donation centers’ pickup rules.
- Call your town’s Building Department about any unpermitted work and ask about closing out permits or remedial options. Some buyers or lenders require resolution before closing or a permit escrow.
- Consider a pre‑listing inspection to catch issues early.
Who to contact now:
- Town Building Department, Town Health Department, HOA manager if applicable, your lender, and your chosen listing agent or attorney.
4–6 weeks before your move
Lock in key logistics once you list or go under contract.
- Utilities: notify providers of your move date and request final or transfer meter reads.
- Electric and gas: most Hartford County addresses use Eversource. Confirm final reads, how final bills are issued, and deposit refund timing. If the buyer wants utilities on for inspections or closing, clarify who pays for usage.
- Water and sewer: contact your town water/sewer authority or private water company to schedule a final meter read and final bill. Ask if an appointment is required.
- Trash and recycling: verify regular and bulk pickup rules with your town. Some towns require scheduled appointments or fees for bulk items.
- Internet/cable/phone: schedule transfer or disconnection based on your firm move date.
- Septic and well: ask your local Health Department whether a septic inspection, pumping certification, dye test, or well documentation is required for sales in your town.
- Municipal requirements: check with the Building Department and Fire Marshal for any smoke and CO detector compliance standards and whether any certificates apply at resale for your property type. Ask the Town Clerk about deed recording timelines and any local conveyance forms.
- Hauling and dumpsters: confirm your town’s bulk pickup policy. If you need a roll‑off dumpster that sits on the street or public right‑of‑way, apply for a permit with Public Works or the Parking Authority.
- Moving company: get binding estimates, confirm insurance, and reserve your date. For condos or busy areas, book elevator times and loading zones.
Helpful references:
- Utility contacts and regulated providers: PURA
- Radon and private well guidance: CT Department of Public Health
- Hazardous waste basics and drop‑off programs: CT DEEP
2 weeks before your move
Refine the plan and confirm all permits and reads.
- Utilities plan: most sellers keep utilities on until closing. Confirm timing in writing with your buyer’s agent and your attorney, including who pays for any usage between final walkthrough and closing.
- Payoff and closing: provide your current payoff statement to the closing agent so they can prepare figures.
- Parking and moving permits: verify any street occupancy, no‑parking, or meter‑bagging permits with your town. Many require a set notice period.
- Final meter reads: confirm scheduled reads with utilities. If the provider allows, plan to take timestamped photos as a backup on moving day.
- Cleaning: schedule final house and carpet cleaning if included in your sale terms.
- Insurance: set your homeowner’s policy to end on the day of closing, coordinated with your attorney.
- Address changes: update banks, subscriptions, and essential services.
1 week to 3–4 days before
Tie down details and protect your closing.
- Fixtures vs personal property: walk room‑by‑room and list what stays and what goes. In Connecticut, fixtures generally stay, while personal property does not. Confirm in writing with the buyer.
- Hazardous materials: plan to remove or deliver items like paint, solvents, and pesticides to a proper program. Use CT DEEP guidance to find local household hazardous waste options.
- Secure your documents: keep IDs, mortgage payoff, and closing papers in a safe, easy‑to‑grab folder.
- Keys and codes: create a complete list of keys, garage remotes, mailbox keys, gate and alarm codes. Confirm the transfer plan.
- If you cannot attend closing: arrange for a power of attorney with your attorney.
Moving day and closing day
Make the handoff clean and fully documented.
- Meter reads: if a utility rep is not present, take clear, timestamped photos of electric, gas, and water meters. Submit per the provider’s process.
- Leave the essentials: place manuals, warranties, operating keys, and any special access keys in a visible spot.
- Deliver a closing binder to the buyer or their agent that includes:
- Permits and permit close‑out docs
- Appliance manuals and warranties
- Utility account details and any final bill receipts
- Septic and well records
- Any home warranty info
- HOA documents and contacts
- At closing: confirm responsibility for final utility prorations, tax prorations, and any municipal charges, then review your settlement statement.
After closing
Wrap up remaining items and keep your records.
- Cancel or redirect any autopays and memberships.
- Keep copies of all closing documents for your tax and legal files.
- Follow up with utilities for deposit refunds and final bill confirmation.
- If any permits remain open, confirm with your attorney how they will be resolved per the contract, including any escrow.
Municipal permits and inspections to confirm
Every Hartford County town sets its own procedures. Make these calls early:
- Building permits: confirm past work has final sign‑offs. Ask your Building Department about retroactive permits or remediation if something is missing.
- Smoke and CO detectors: Connecticut has statewide requirements, and many towns enforce them at sale. Contact your local Fire Marshal or Building Department for specifics on placement and whether devices must be hard‑wired or battery.
- Septic and well transfers: check with your Health Department for inspection, dye test, or pumping requirements tied to property transfers.
- Certificate of occupancy: usually not required for resale, unless your town calls for it due to recent major work. Verify with the Building Department.
- Dumpster and street occupancy: confirm if your town requires a right‑of‑way or parking permit for a roll‑off dumpster or moving truck space.
Avoid last‑minute delays
These issues commonly derail closings. Protect your timeline by tackling them early.
- Missing building permits or unresolved violations.
- Late septic or well findings or missing records.
- Unscheduled or missed final meter reads causing billing/proration confusion.
- No permits for dumpsters, street occupancy, or temporary no‑parking signs.
- Hazardous materials or electronics left at the property that are not accepted in regular curbside pickup.
- Missing keys, garage remotes, or alarm codes at handoff.
Build a complete closing binder
A clear, organized binder reassures buyers and reduces day‑of questions.
- Title and closing: payoff statement, current tax bills, and any municipal lien information.
- Property and systems: permits and sign‑offs, septic/well records, radon test and mitigation docs if applicable, lead‑based paint disclosure materials for pre‑1978 homes, and any inspection reports you chose to share.
- Access: all house keys, mailbox keys, garage remotes, and any gate or alarm codes.
- HOA or condo: bylaws, financials, rules and regulations, contact info, and any special assessment notes.
Who to call, and when
- Building Department: permits, final sign‑offs, and certificate questions.
- Health Department: septic and well transfer rules and required inspections.
- Public Works or Parking Authority: bulk pickup, dumpster permits, and moving truck parking.
- Town Clerk: deed recording procedures and local forms.
- Tax Collector/Assessor: final tax questions and proration context.
- Utilities: Eversource for electric and natural gas in most areas, your town water/sewer authority, and your internet/cable provider.
- State resources: PURA for regulated utility contacts, CT DPH for radon and wells, and CT DEEP for hazardous waste.
Ready to sell with less stress
With a clear plan, your move and closing can run on time and without surprises. If you want full‑service marketing, expert negotiation, and closing support while keeping more of your equity, consider a streamlined approach built for Connecticut sellers. Sell with Rockoff Realty at a 1% listing fee and get a free, no‑pressure quote today.
FAQs
When should a Hartford County seller stop utilities?
- Keep utilities on until closing unless your closing attorney instructs otherwise. Arrange final reads on or immediately after closing and confirm in writing who pays for usage up to that date.
Who handles unpaid town bills or fines at closing in Connecticut?
- Outstanding municipal charges, such as taxes, water/sewer, or liens, are typically cleared at closing or accounted for on the settlement statement. Disclose known items early to avoid delays.
What if my Hartford County home has unpermitted work?
- Disclose it and call your town’s Building Department to discuss retroactive permits or remediation. Buyers and lenders may require resolution or an escrow holdback.
Do sellers need septic or well inspections to transfer a home in my town?
- Requirements vary by municipality. Contact your local Health Department early to confirm what is required and to schedule inspections within your contract timeline.
What documents should I give the buyer at closing?
- Provide permits and close‑out docs, manuals and warranties, utility details and any final bill receipts, septic/well records, radon or lead disclosures as applicable, HOA materials, and all keys and codes.
