20 Things to Do in the First Week After Moving House
The move is done — now what? Here's a practical checklist of the most important things to do in your first week in a new home.
Day 1: Safety First
Locate the stopcock (emergency water shutoff — usually under the kitchen sink or near the water meter). Find the fuse box. Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. Note emergency contacts for your new area.
Day 1: Change the Locks
You have no idea how many copies of the keys exist for your new home. Change all external door locks immediately. It's a small cost for significant peace of mind.
Day 1: Take Meter Readings
Photograph gas, electricity, and water meters with your phone timestamp on the day of move-in. Register with the existing suppliers initially, then switch to your preferred tariff in the coming weeks.
Day 2: Register with a GP
Find your nearest GP surgery and register as soon as possible. You can't be seen as an NHS patient until you're registered, and this takes days to weeks to process.
Day 3: Update Official Documents
DVLA (driving licence and V5), HMRC, your bank, your employer's HR team, passport (can wait), and any subscriptions. Work through your list systematically over the first week.
Day 4-7: Explore Your New Area
Find your nearest supermarket, pharmacy, GP surgery, and open green space. Introduce yourself to immediate neighbours. These small steps make your new house start feeling like home surprisingly quickly.
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