If you are moving into a new house, you need to put everything in place to make your transition a smooth one. Moving to a new home is never an easy task as a lot of planning and organization are involved. The best way to orchestrate a move is to draw up a plan or checklist of things you need to do. With a comprehensive checklist, you can plan your move effortlessly.
Here are 7 things you need to do when moving into a new house. Kindly note that some of these tips apply to purchased and rented homes, while others apply to the latter or the former.
1. Arrange Your Utilities
One of the first things you must do is arrange your utilities. Know where the gas pipe passes through and the electric connections. Inspect them to ensure they are not turned on. If you are unsure about their connections ask the realtor to supply this information. For rented apartments, it is the landlord who should provide this information. Knowing how the connection work around the house is required for your safety and comfort. Don’t forget to cancel utilities in your previous home before you move out; otherwise, you will still be charged for them.
2. Take Pictures of Your New House
The second thing you should do is take pictures of your new home. Do this before you move any property into the house. You can take a video of the entire property by walking through the interior space from the rooms to the kitchen, bathrooms, and every other space. Ensure the video covers every area. Do the same for the exterior area.
Taking pictures and videos is important for rented properties so you can have proof in case of future disputes. After taking the videos and pictures, save them in a folder where you can retrieve them easily when you need them. You may save them in a cloud service, so they don’t get damaged.
3. Do A Thorough Inspection
Do a thorough inspection of the house from top to bottom. Test all appliances, and check the walls, roof, flooring, wires, etc. For a professional Inspection, it will be wise to hire a professional to do the inspection. The inspector will look for signs and wear and tear on the property. All your findings should be documented, and the cost of repairs should be calculated.
This information will come in handy for rented apartments should a dispute arise. If the property is yours, you will know what needs to be fixed and for how much. You may even ask your neighbors questions about the property to get a little understanding before moving in.
4. Find The Gas and Water Shut Off Valves
Gas and water shut-off valves are located outside or inside the house depending on the architecture. As a safety measure, you want to notify everyone about the location of the shut-off valve in case of an emergency. Water valves are located inside the house about 5ft from the water source, while gas valves are often located outside the house near the meter. If there is a leak and the local valves can’t stop, the main valves will disconnect the flow at the source. Lastly, don’t forget to install a leak detector.
5. Test Smoke Detectors
The fifth on your list should be to test the smoke detector. Based on local and state laws, homes should have smoke detectors. When you move into a new house don’t just assume that the smoke detectors work; take your time to test them. If they are not working well or at all, notify the realtor or landlord to fix them immediately.
6. Locate The Fuse Box
You should locate the electric fuse box before you use electricity in the house. This measure will is highly recommended for two main reasons. If you locate the box you can test the power to see if all the sockets in the house are working. Secondly, you will know where to disconnect the power at the source in case of an emergency. Also, keep a flashlight nearby in case there is a need to replace or reset a circuit breaker or fuse.
7. Replace The Lock
New occupants are always advised to change the locks before moving into a new house as they never know how many people have the keys. Your security should be your top priority. Before you move in your belongings or do any cleaning or repair work on the house, change the locks and keys. If you can afford to, change all the locks inside the house and the safe.
For extra security, you can hire a locksmith to also install an automated security lock system to keep burglars out. For this, you will need a locksmith to do a quick inspection of the house to identify vulnerable areas in need of reinforcement. Replacing the locks and improving the security settings will safeguard lives and property.
These seven tips are recommended for those moving into a new house. Adhere to them, and your transition will be a smooth one.
