First things you need to do when moving into a new home

First things you need to do when moving into a new home

March, 2019

There’s a lot to remember when moving into a new home. It’s an exciting time, a chance for a fresh start, but there are some important things you need to do before you settle in. Here’s a list of things to remember, so that you can be confident you’ve got everything covered.

Look at your metres

When you move into a new property, you take over the gas, electric and water bills. Get a reading of the metres as soon as you buy the property so that you are paying the right amount. Don’t forget, you’ll need to pay whatever is left on your old house too.

Make sure your post is redirected

Important documents may be coming through the post to your old house, so save yourself the hassle by getting your mail redirected. Don’t forget to change your address on your driving license too, as well as your car insurance to prevent it from being void.

Consider changing the locks

If you are the first person to move into a home, this won’t be necessary. However, if someone has lived in the house before you, it might be worth changing the locks. There may be people out there with keys to access the house, so it’s better safe than sorry.

Give it a thorough clean

Before you move in your furniture, clean your house top to bottom. It’ll be the easiest time to do it, and it’ll make your house feel more like yours. Consider steam cleaning carpets and scrubbing any cabinets before you fill them.

Check your house is hazard safe

When renting a property, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to make sure a property meets fire safety standards. However, when buying your own, it’s up to you to do this. Check your smoke alarms work, and consider investing in a carbon monoxide detector if you have a gas boiler in the property.

Set up your internet

You’re probably used to having WiFi in your house, and you’ll notice it when it’s gone. Save yourself the stress (and from running out of data on your phone!) by setting it up for when you move in. Try and research beforehand to see what the best deal is in your area, as not all providers will have to same coverage.

Give yourself a quick tour

You’ve probably had a scout around before you bought the property, but you might not have had the chance to do some proper investigating. Find the fuse box, the mains valve, and any signs of possible problems – cracks or damp. Sort these issues out before they become a massive problem and you will save a lot of money.