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So, you’re finally into your new home. The moving vans have departed, the boxes are all ready to be unpacked and you have the new keys in your possession. It’s an exciting time, but as tempted as you may be to get knee deep in throw pillows and scented candles straight away, it’s important to sort out a few key practical things first. A few steps now could save a lot of time, expense and hassle in the future, so set aside a day or so to make sure these basics are right before plunging into unpacking. A move is the perfect time to take inventory, especially when it comes to inaccessible bits of the house.
Make sure your home is pest-proof
If you’re going to be unpacking all your soft furnishings, or even getting new ones, then it’s a great idea to make double sure the house is completely free of any pests before you get started. Take the opportunity to check for pests, put down some bug spray before everything is unpacked, and call in a professional exterminator if needed. It’s much more difficult to find and get rid of any pests once you’re all moved in and your stuff is everywhere. If you can get access to the property before you move in, it’s the ideal time to use pesticides without exposing children or family pets to the harsh chemicals.
Locate circuit boards, meters and stop taps
Before everything arrives, assess where your circuit breaker box, electrical meters and main water stop taps are – if there’s an emergency you will need to get to them quickly, and they are often located in harder to reach areas. Understand which fuse controls which function in the house and label everything clearly if it’s not already been done. If anything isn’t functioning properly, now’s your chance to get it all sorted out.
Find the source of any leaks
Leaks are a massive danger to the structure of your home, so you need to understand if there are any and what is causing them. Leaks are usually either related to a faulty roof or to something wrong with the internal plumbing. Tell-tale signs that there could be a problem are a drop in water pressure, water stains on the floor or walls and any rust or mould. Trace the source of any leaks and make sure you get plumbing repairs done right, or they can quickly spiral into larger problems and cause serious damage to your new home.
Sort out your window dressings
It may seem like something minor, but actually being without a window covering can be dangerous for home- both in terms of security and in terms of warmth. A brightly lit window showing a half unpacked house full of new things can be an invitation for an opportunist thief, as they will be aware security probably isn’t at its tightest. So for any rooms visible from the road, try to sort some form of covering, even if it’s just a temporary sheet pinned up over the window. Or install basic, cheap roller blinds that can eventually be upgraded.
Connect appliances and utilities
The connection of the main utilities will probably have been arranged before the actual move, so check that the power and water supplies have been hooked up and that its clear with suppliers when the start date of your ownership was – you don’t want to be stuck with a bill from a previous occupant, especially if the property has been rented out. You’ll also want to book a date in to get your new internet connection. If you’ve moved with appliances rather than selling them or donating them to charity, then you need to set up the refrigerator and stove quickly. Due to the gases they contain, refrigerators should be sat upright for at least 3 hours after moving before being reconnected to any power source.
Change your forwarding address
There are so many companies that you’ll need to register your new address with, from financial suppliers to local government and even any catalogues you receive. Signing up for an online notification system means that you only need put your details in once, and all your suppliers will be automatically notified when you specify. It’s also a good idea to sign up for a mail forwarding service for at least six months after you move. Having old uncollected mail going to your previous address is both inconvenient and a security risk.
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