Just Got Your Keys? The Ultimate New Home Checklist

But before you unpack a single box, there are a few immediate checks you need to make to protect your safety and your wallet. Once those are out of the way, you can dive into the boxes and tackle the rest of your first-week admin.

Here is a straightforward guide to everything you need to take care of as you settle into your new home.

The Practical Essentials

Take Photos of Every Utility Meter: Locate your gas, electricity, and water meters to take clear, time-stamped photos of the current readings. Having these on your phone gives you proof of exactly when your utility usage started, ensuring you aren't billed for the previous owner’s energy.

Locate the Mains Stopcock: Knowing how to turn off your water in an emergency is crucial. Check the usual spots, under the kitchen sink, in a utility space, or under the stairs, and give it a gentle turn to ensure it isn’t seized up.

Find the Consumer Unit (Fuse Box): Find where your trip switches are located before it gets dark. It is much easier to locate the fuse box now than it is to hunt for it with a phone torch if a circuit trips later in the evening.

Safety, Security & Settling In

Change the Outer Locks: Swapping out the lock barrels on your external doors is a smart security step. You can never be entirely sure how many spare keys were given to friends, family, or past tradespeople over the years.

Test the Alarms: Walk through the house and press the test buttons on all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are fully operational.

Keep a "Day One" Box Close by: Avoid burying your absolute essentials in the back of the removal van. Pack a designated box containing a kettle, mugs, tea, phone chargers, toilet paper, and basic toiletries so you don’t have to hunt through tape and cardboard just to make a drink.

Tying Up the Admin

Once you've settled in and started organising your space, you can begin ticking off the essential admin tasks over the coming days.

Register for Council Tax: You need to inform them of the change of occupier. If you live alone, remember to apply for your 25% Single Person Discount.

Set Up Your Utilities: Provide them with your moving-day meter readings to open your new billing accounts. You can shop around for alternative tariffs down the line.

Update Your Driving Licence: You are legally required to update both your driving licence and your vehicle registration (V5C) with your new address.

Register on the Electoral Roll: Updating your address on the electoral register ensures you can vote locally and helps protect your credit rating.

Notify Health Services: Register with a practice close to your new home early on, rather than waiting until you or a family member falls ill.

💡 Top Tip: Set up a Royal Mail Postal Redirection from your old address for at least six months. Even if you are meticulous about updating your details, it acts as an invaluable safety net for any you might have missed.

If you are currently looking for your next property across Shropshire, Staffordshire, or the West Midlands, or if you want to find out what your current home is worth on the market, our local teams are always on hand to help.