If you have recently purchased your very first home, then congratulations! It’s an exciting time, and you no doubt have many happy years to look forward to in your new property.
There are many things you need to be mindful of and consider doing when you move in, so we’ve put together 6 home maintenance tips to make the process a little easier for you.
Take meter readings
One of the first things you should do the day you move into your new property is take meter readings. It will ensure that you only pay for the energy you use and are not footing the bill for the previous owner’s electricity or gas consumption.
Test smoke and CO2 alarms
To maximize the safety of your and your loved ones, it’s a good idea to test smoke and CO2 alarms throughout the property and be satisfied that they are working correctly. It’s also worth changing the batteries in each device as you never know how long they have been in there and how effective they will be in the event of a fire or gas leak.
Check the plumbing
The day you move in, run your bathroom and kitchen taps to check that the water is free-flowing and there are no indications of a blocked drain. Unpleasant smells, raised water levels, and gurgling sounds are all indications that there may be a pipe blockage.
Drainage unblocking could be complicated if you don’t know what you are doing, so if you experience any issues, it’s always better to call in the professionals.
Locate your water shut off valve
Although you may never need to use it, it makes sense to know where your water shut-off valve is. Knowing this will ensure that, in the event of a burst pipe or leaking tank, you can close off the water supply before any of your belongings get permanently damaged.
It’s usually located under your main sink but varies from property to property. If you aren’t sure where it is, the previous owners should be able to advise you.
Deep cleaning
If possible, try and clean the property before you unpack your belongings. You never know how clean and tidy the previous owners were, so giving the place a good going over will ensure it meets your usual hygiene standards.
If the property has carpets, you could consider hiring an industrial cleaning machine, or if you don’t have the time or inclination, you could always get the professionals in to do it for you.
Change the locks
Although this is not essential, many people like to change the locks when they move into a new property. Previous owners may have extra keys that they have forgotten to hand in, or they may have given spare keys to family members or neighbors.
It is, of course, highly unlikely that anyone would try to access your property, but if you want additional peace of mind, then new locks could be the way forward.
