What to Do When You’ve Moved Into a New House

Moved Into a New House: We don’t want to burden you with another endeavor, however… After you’ve emptied the last box and given the movers a tip, there are a few things you need to take care of at your new home. You’ve already relocated or made your complete to-do list for your next big relocation, which is great news. Here’s everything you need to do once you relocate to help you settle in.

Immediately upon arrival

Some of the items on your to-do list should be completed as soon as you arrive at your new residence. (Actually, some of these can be completed prior to move-in day.) But don’t panic if they’re last-minute items on your to-do list. You’ll be able to handle them right away.

To locate the water shutoff, follow these steps

If you have a basement, or if you don’t, the main water valve will be outdoors. If you live in an apartment, it can be a little different, so ask the super or landlord if you can’t find it. Make a mental note of where it is in case you need it again.

Locate the circuit breaker and the oil/gas shutoff

Make sure you know where your new home’s circuit breaker is located. It’s most likely in the basement if it’s a house. If you live in an apartment, it could be inside a closet or at the front door. If the switches aren’t labeled, educate yourself with what each one performs once you’ve found it. Locate the oil or gas shutoff as well. This might happen in the basement or even out in the open. If you can’t find it in your flat, ask the super or the landlord. Make a mental note of where these emergency systems are located in case you need them in the future.

Check the condition of your goods following transit if you engaged professional movers

Take inventory of everything as you unpack your belongings. Make sure nothing is missing, and keep track of any damage that occurred along the way. If you file a claim, you’ll have to prove your losses.

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Ascertain that the utilities are operational

Make sure you call the utilities that connect to your home if you didn’t do so before you moved so you can get service right away. You’ll want to set up essential needs like power, water, and gas as soon as possible, so make a complete list of utilities.

Wipeout everything

You can do this while unpacking, but make sure to tidy your new place as soon as possible.

Examine your new location

Check for any damage in your new home. If you’re renting, this is very vital. Take pictures of any damage to establish that it existed before you moved in, and document any difficulties for repair. This can assist you in receiving your security deposit when you move out.

Create a fire escape strategy

You should do this right away because you never know when a fire will strike. Locate or install fire extinguishers in your home, and become familiar with fire exits or an escape plan.

Change the locks and secure the area

It’s a good idea to change the locks as soon as you move in. Even if the landlord or realtor asserts that the locks are new, you have no way of knowing who else has the keys. Change the locks as soon as possible and install a security system to ensure your safety.

What to do within the first week

You should undertake a couple more cleaning tasks within a week of moving into your new residence that isn’t as urgent but nonetheless required. Change your address everywhere if you haven’t already. To begin, consider the post office and the DMV, but consider all of the places that record your address.

Update your address with the DMV

This procedure is necessary for several reasons. You’ll want to double-check that the DMV has your current address on file, and you’ll also want to change your address on your driver’s license and vehicle registration.

If you want to change your address, go to the post office and do the following:
Submit a change of address form to the post office so that your mail can be redirected until you’ve informed all of the contacts of your new address. You won’t miss any of your mail this way.

Make changes to your voter registration

Because your polling place will change, you’ll also want to update your voter registration with your new address.

Auto insurance should be updated

Update your address and any new information with your auto insurance policy.

Medical records should be transferred

If you’re moving to a new location that’s far away from your old one, make sure you transmit your medical data to the new doctor. This isn’t a must-do if you’ve stayed in town and won’t be switching medical providers; you can simply update your information with your doctor. This also applies to the medical records of your pets!

Gather all of your moving receipts

If you’ve relocated for work and want to deduct the costs, make sure you have all of your receipts prepared and ready to submit.

Installing the internet and cable

Set up cable and internet if you need it at your new home if you haven’t already (or previously).

Find the shortest route to work

If you’ll be starting a new job following the relocation, making the most of your commute will help you feel more settled. Before your first day, attempt to determine the quickest route or experiment with different routes to find the ideal one.

Introduce yourself to your neighbors as follows

Introduce yourself to your neighbors if you wish to! Who knows, they might turn out to be your new best pals, but at the very least, they’ll come in handy in an emergency.

What to do in your first month after relocating

Unpack (everything): There’s a good chance you didn’t unpack every box on Moving Day (or even in the first week). Continue to work on it every day until you succeed.

Make your pets feel at ease: If you have pets, a new house might be stressful. Allow them to settle in gradually by introducing them to home one step at a time and ensuring that they have a designated space to relax, sleep, and play.

Check your appliances: You may have checked for superficial damage on moving day, but now it’s time to double-check that everything is in working order. If not, make a list of the problems so you can hire a repairman or alert your landlord.

Stock your new home with the following items: Stock up on new cleaning supplies and paper goods for your home. You’ll most likely want to buy in bulk, so a trip to Sam’s Club or Costco could be on the cards!

Locate your new favorite hangouts: Yes, this includes the enjoyable ones (like your favorite pizza joint), but also make sure you know where a gas station, bank, grocery store, and other necessities are located. You won’t have to look for them later if you find them early on.

Explore: Go for a drive and see what you can find. Find the closest grocery shop, post office, pharmacy, and other services.

Find new doctors and services, such as doctors, dentists, pharmacies, and veterinarians.

Find new organizations and groups: One of the most difficult aspects of migrating is the lack of a well-established community. To feel more like a part of your new home, look for different activities, groups, and organizations that you and your children might join.

Fill in the blanks with the following information: Decide whether you need new furniture, artwork, or other items to make the space “yours” now that you’ve moved in and done unpacking.

Checklist for moving out of state: Additional responsibilities if you’re changing states

When relocating to a new state, you may face additional challenges in establishing residency and settling in. Use the moving out of state checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything throughout your relocation.

Establish residence: Each state has its own rules for establishing residency, so check your new state’s website for more information. Typically, you’ll need to visit the DMV and show proof of residency in the form of official documents such as a lease or utility bill.

Update your car registration while you’re at the DMV: While you’re there establishing residency, you might as well update your automobile registration. You’ll have to pay a charge and show your vehicle title.

Update your address with government agencies: Make sure the IRS and other agencies have your new address on file. If you utilize SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security, you’ll need to alter it.

Know the ins and outs of the state’s landlord-tenant or homeowner-tenant laws: Your state may have particular laws for homeowners and renters, such as local rent control. Make sure you are up to date on the laws in your state.

Obtain a new motor policy: If your current auto insurance provider does not provide services in your new state, you must obtain new coverage within the first three months of your relocation.

Conclusion:

To complete all of your chores, use our crucial post-move checklist. You’ll be able to settle in faster if you’re especially prepared. The sooner you finish your post-move responsibilities, the sooner you can get to the fun part: living in your new home.