Packing up all of your belongings and moving them from one place to another is a monumental task in and of itself.
But the to-do list doesn’t stop once the last box is unpacked and the pizza is ordered. Here are 17 more things you should consider doing during the first month in your new house or apartment.
1. Renovate
If you’ve purchased a new home, and you plan on giving the walls a fresh coat of paint or replacing the carpet with hardwood, don’t put those projects on hold for too long. They’re much easier to knock out before you’ve moved in furniture and other bulky belongings, points out Lee Wood, a realtor with Magnolia Realty in Austin, Texas.
2. Take pictures of your stuff
Snap some photos of your furniture, appliances, artwork, and other home goods. Having an inventory on hand will come in handy should you need to file a renters or homeowners insurance claim in the event of a natural disaster or burglary, says Jen Breitegan, founder of organization firm Organizenvy.
3. Change the batteries in your smoke detector
This way, you won’t be woken up by that annoying chirping sound, should the batteries fizzle out. If the batteries in your smoke alarm still have some life in them, place them in a product that’s not entrusted with your safety, recommends Consumer Reports. Here’s our guide to changing your smoke detector batteries and checking your smoke alarms.
4. Give your lease a good read-through
Get a copy of the countersigned lease and familiarize yourself with the important terms, such as late fee policies, what alterations can be made to the apartment, and how you can reach your landlord or the maintenance crews, recommends Julian Felch, founder of bitResi, a mobile app allowing renters to rate their apartments.
5. Figure out the package delivery system
If there’s no doorman at your apartment, get to know where delivery packages are placed in your building. “If packages are just being dropped off outside, you might want to consider some alternatives, like having your packages delivered to your office,” Felch says.
6. Measure your front door
If you’re moving in new furniture or mattresses, measure your front door to make sure your purchases will fit through, Felch recommends. Also, if you’re living in a multi-story building, determine whether there are moving hours or reservations for the elevators.
7. Scope out the laundry room
Learn the hours of operation and figure out whether the machines take cash or cards, Felch recommends, so that you can plan accordingly and stock up on quarters the next time you’re at the bank. Real estate experts also recommend asking the leasing office, “What’s the washer-to-resident ratio?” to help manage your expectations (and avoid spending Saturdays waiting for an available machine).
8. Ask your neighbors for takeout recommendations
Not only is it a good icebreaker, but it will help you pinpoint some of the lesser-known neighborhood gems that UberEats might not be recommending, says Jennifer D’Elia, broker manager for Samsel and Associates Realty in Clark, N.J.
9. Change the locks
If you buy a new home, the previous owner may very well have turned over all of the keys that were in their possession during closing. But what about any keys they lent to, say, a neighbor, friend, or ex? Those could still be floating out there. So, it’s a good idea to change all your locks out when you move into a new place, says Dustin Singer, a real estate investor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Also, change the code on any garage door opener keypads, Singer says.
10. Swap out old lightbulbs
Going through and replacing the old lightbulbs with newer LED lights will save you money on your electricity bill. Plus, they tend to light your home better, Singer says. (Here’s how you can get the best lighting in every area of your new home.)
For even more tips, visit Apartment Therapy.
