Moving into a new home generates a list of essential tasks. Here is what to prioritise in the first 7 days.
Day one
- Change all door and window locks (you do not know who has copies of the previous owner's keys)
- Photograph every room with timestamp (evidence of condition on entry)
- Read all meters (gas, electricity, water) and photograph — email to utility providers as evidence of the reading on which billing begins
- Locate the stopcock, consumer unit and boiler
First week
- Register with a local GP and dentist
- Update address: DVLA, bank, employer, HMRC, passport, electoral roll (gov.uk/register-to-vote), subscriptions
- Set up mail redirection (Royal Mail — from £33 for 3 months)
- Check smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector are present and working — fit new ones if not
- Check buildings and contents insurance is active from completion day
Plan the move with our free moving house checklist.