Checks to make before moving into your new home

Are you moving into a new home soon? Congratulations, moving is an exciting time and a new chapter of your life to embark on. Whether you are buying your property or moving into a new rented home, there are some checks that you should carry out beforehand to make sure the move is as smooth as possible.

To start with, plumbing is something you should inquire about - especially if you are buying - as this is something that can be expensive, should changes be made (Bluefrog Plumbing can help with this). Any damages that the previous owners are aware of should also be flagged up, such as a new door, tile on the roof or dented work surface and you should be enquiring about changing the locks - this is very important.

Below is our guide to checks you should make before moving into your new home.

Changing the locks

It’s so important that you ask about the current locks that are being used on the property - backdoor, side door and front door. Every lock should be changed before moving in as previous tenants may still have a key, friends or family members and your safety is paramount, although we are sure nothing will happen. Changing your locks is easily done and your local locksmith will do it for you, just make sure you get multiple quotes beforehand to ensure you are getting a good price.

Any damages the owner is aware of

A quick thing to do before moving in is to ask the current owner about any damages and repairs that they are aware of that need doing. Ask for every bit of detail, no matter how small or big the repairs are going to be as you will still need to carry these out when moving in. It could be as small as the paintwork being chipped, to larger jobs like a tile on the roof missing. Having a spreadsheet of repairs is always useful as you can then tick them off as you get them done and don’t run the risk of missing anything.

Contact utility providers

When you know you are going to be moving in and have a move-in date, now is the time to start thinking about the utility providers. Most properties will already have them set up, so you will need to contact each provider to set up an account in your own name. Alongside your utility providers, you will also need to think about other services you are going to use, such as an internet provider and a TV licence - these are easily obtained and you can find multiple providers with a quick Google.

Are you moving to a new home soon and what checks will you be doing before moving in? Are there any important checks that you think we should be adding to the above guide? Which of the above tips did you find most useful? Let us know in the comment box below, we look forward to hearing from you.