For Buyers
14 min read
17 Essential Things To Do After Moving Into A New House
The deal’s closed, you’ve got the keys, and you’re excited to move into your new house. However, when you’re standing in that new living room, all the different things you need to get done can start to feel pretty daunting. It definitely helps to stay organised and write down everything you need to do. In this post, we have some of the essential things to do after moving house, so you can put together that to-do list and start ticking things off.
It’s a good idea to make a to-do list and put it somewhere the whole family can see, such as on the fridge. You can add extra tasks to the list as they spring to mind. Try to do the things you care about most first, and leave things that feel less urgent for later. If you can get even just one task done every day, you’ll be well on your way to feeling settled in your new home - which is a great feeling. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
You probably have a more urgent need for things like essential toiletries, your bedding, and kitchenware than books and decorations. Have a think about which items will make you most comfortable in your new house, and get those unpacked first.
There’s a lot to do when you move into a new house, so the last thing you want to do is rearrange your new living room five times. Get it right on the first try by sketching a quick floor plan and deciding what pieces of furniture will go where.
Make sure all your key utilities, like power and internet, are sorted. If you already did this before moving, be sure to check them and make sure everything’s working as it should be.
Make sure you update your address with the council, your bank, IRD, and any other important entities that send you information by post. Most of the time, it’s pretty easy to do this online.
Your plans for earthquakes, fires, and other emergencies were probably designed for your old house. Make sure your family puts together a new evacuation plan, so everyone’s on the same page about what to do and where to meet in a range of situations.
While you’re thinking about your emergency plan, you may also want to think about what you’ll do if someone gets hurt. Find out where the nearest emergency room is and make sure you know the way there. If you’ve moved a long way, you may also want to think about finding a new local GP and enrolling in their practice.
Making sure your smoke alarms are functional only takes a minute, but is vital for your safety. In fact, Fire And Emergency New Zealand actually recommend pressing the test button once a month to make sure it’s in working order. If you can’t reach, you can use a broom handle.
There’s no way to know how many people the old owners of your house have given spare sets of keys to. Changing the locks is a simple way to tighten up your home security and give you peace of mind.
And if you want to go the extra mile, setting up burglar alarms or security cameras is a good way to ensure you feel safe in your new home right from day one. You can either do this yourself, or get your system professionally installed.
Make a list of everything you pay subscriptions to and make sure you still need them now that you’ve moved. Some, such as magazines, will need to be redirected to your new address. If you go to a gym that doesn’t have a location near your new house, you might decide to cancel that one - and add finding a new gym to the to-do list!
This one’s so easy to overlook but is one of the most crucial things to do after moving house. What day does the rubbish truck come? Which bins do you need to put out, and when? Look it up on the council website, make a note, and stick it on the fridge.
Moving is often a very stressful time for animals, so don’t forget to make them as comfortable as you can. Set up a quiet area with a pet bed, blankets, and food and water for your cat or dog so they can start feeling at home in this unfamiliar environment.
As you unpack and get used to your new home, you’ll probably notice some small issues: a leaky tap, a broken window latch, or a crack in the wall. You’re probably too busy to fix all these things right now, but make a list as you notice them so you can return to it later and get them sorted.
It’s easy to let this slip your mind, but your real estate agent, moving company, and any other professionals who helped you move would almost certainly appreciate some feedback. If anyone was a real standout, make sure you leave a glowing review to help them get more business.
It’s always a good idea to introduce yourself to the people next door. Lots of the time, they’ll come over and introduce themselves, but if not, pop by and say hi. It’s always good to build a positive relationship with these people and start making friends in your new community.
One of the most exciting things about moving house is getting a feel for the area that you now call home. Head out for a walk (you’ll probably be glad to get away from all those boxes anyway) and visit some of the local parks, cafes, and shops.
There are lots of little things you can do to make your house feel more like your own. Many people throw a housewarming party, so their family and friends can see their new place and start making memories there. You can also light your favourite incense or scented candles, hang art, add some house plants, and do a big grocery shop to fill the cupboards with food.
Settling into a new house can be overwhelming! However, the longer you spend there, and the more things to do after moving that you tick off, the more it’ll come to feel like your sanctuary. For more tips for home buyers and owners, check out these posts:
How to keep your home safe when leaving town
How to create a warmer, drier, healthier home this Winter
17 things to do after moving into your new home
It’s a good idea to make a to-do list and put it somewhere the whole family can see, such as on the fridge. You can add extra tasks to the list as they spring to mind. Try to do the things you care about most first, and leave things that feel less urgent for later. If you can get even just one task done every day, you’ll be well on your way to feeling settled in your new home - which is a great feeling. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
1. Unpack the essentials
You probably have a more urgent need for things like essential toiletries, your bedding, and kitchenware than books and decorations. Have a think about which items will make you most comfortable in your new house, and get those unpacked first.
2. Make a plan for your furniture
There’s a lot to do when you move into a new house, so the last thing you want to do is rearrange your new living room five times. Get it right on the first try by sketching a quick floor plan and deciding what pieces of furniture will go where.
3. Connect your utilities
Make sure all your key utilities, like power and internet, are sorted. If you already did this before moving, be sure to check them and make sure everything’s working as it should be.
4. Change your mailing address
Make sure you update your address with the council, your bank, IRD, and any other important entities that send you information by post. Most of the time, it’s pretty easy to do this online.
5. Update your escape plan
Your plans for earthquakes, fires, and other emergencies were probably designed for your old house. Make sure your family puts together a new evacuation plan, so everyone’s on the same page about what to do and where to meet in a range of situations.
6. Make a plan for medical emergencies
While you’re thinking about your emergency plan, you may also want to think about what you’ll do if someone gets hurt. Find out where the nearest emergency room is and make sure you know the way there. If you’ve moved a long way, you may also want to think about finding a new local GP and enrolling in their practice.
7. Test the smoke alarms
Making sure your smoke alarms are functional only takes a minute, but is vital for your safety. In fact, Fire And Emergency New Zealand actually recommend pressing the test button once a month to make sure it’s in working order. If you can’t reach, you can use a broom handle.
8. Change the locks
There’s no way to know how many people the old owners of your house have given spare sets of keys to. Changing the locks is a simple way to tighten up your home security and give you peace of mind.
9. Set up a home security system
And if you want to go the extra mile, setting up burglar alarms or security cameras is a good way to ensure you feel safe in your new home right from day one. You can either do this yourself, or get your system professionally installed.
10. Update your subscriptions
Make a list of everything you pay subscriptions to and make sure you still need them now that you’ve moved. Some, such as magazines, will need to be redirected to your new address. If you go to a gym that doesn’t have a location near your new house, you might decide to cancel that one - and add finding a new gym to the to-do list!
11. Find out when it’s rubbish day
This one’s so easy to overlook but is one of the most crucial things to do after moving house. What day does the rubbish truck come? Which bins do you need to put out, and when? Look it up on the council website, make a note, and stick it on the fridge.
12. Look after your pets
Moving is often a very stressful time for animals, so don’t forget to make them as comfortable as you can. Set up a quiet area with a pet bed, blankets, and food and water for your cat or dog so they can start feeling at home in this unfamiliar environment.
13. Make a list of repairs
As you unpack and get used to your new home, you’ll probably notice some small issues: a leaky tap, a broken window latch, or a crack in the wall. You’re probably too busy to fix all these things right now, but make a list as you notice them so you can return to it later and get them sorted.
14. Leave reviews
It’s easy to let this slip your mind, but your real estate agent, moving company, and any other professionals who helped you move would almost certainly appreciate some feedback. If anyone was a real standout, make sure you leave a glowing review to help them get more business.
15. Meet the neighbours
It’s always a good idea to introduce yourself to the people next door. Lots of the time, they’ll come over and introduce themselves, but if not, pop by and say hi. It’s always good to build a positive relationship with these people and start making friends in your new community.
16. Explore the neighbourhood
One of the most exciting things about moving house is getting a feel for the area that you now call home. Head out for a walk (you’ll probably be glad to get away from all those boxes anyway) and visit some of the local parks, cafes, and shops.
17. Make it feel like a home
There are lots of little things you can do to make your house feel more like your own. Many people throw a housewarming party, so their family and friends can see their new place and start making memories there. You can also light your favourite incense or scented candles, hang art, add some house plants, and do a big grocery shop to fill the cupboards with food.
Settling into a new house can be overwhelming! However, the longer you spend there, and the more things to do after moving that you tick off, the more it’ll come to feel like your sanctuary. For more tips for home buyers and owners, check out these posts:
How to keep your home safe when leaving town
How to create a warmer, drier, healthier home this Winter