What should you do first after moving into a new home? Walk through the property and photograph any damage, take gas, electricity and water meter readings, test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, find the water stopcock and fuse box, and set up one room for unloading. Within the first weeks, update your address with official bodies such as the DVLA, the council and the electoral register in the UK, or USPS in the US.
Key Takeaways
- Photograph the condition of the property and every meter on the day you arrive; dated photos settle disputes about damage and bills later.
- The Energy Saving Trust advises taking an initial meter reading on the day you move in so your first energy bill is accurate.
- In England, landlords must check that the required smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work on the day a new tenancy begins.
- UK drivers can be fined up to £1,000 for not telling the DVLA about a new address, and the change is free.
- In the US, USPS standard mail forwarding lasts 12 months; filing online costs a $1.25 identity verification fee (as of October 2026).
Moving Tips: Most moving advice focuses on planning: how to pack your belongings properly, how to find the right removal company, and so on. Far less of it covers the actual moving day, specifically the first hours after you arrive at your new location. So what should you do first once you arrive at your new place? Whilst this can be an exciting time for everyone and you are busy unloading and unpacking all your items, there are some things you must take care of upon arriving. Doing so will undoubtedly save you a lot of hassles later on.
What to Do as Soon as You Arrive at Your New Home
Do a thorough inspection for any damage
As soon as you arrive at your new location, the first thing you should do is a thorough check of the place and see if there are any damage or structural issues with the property. Whilst you have surely done an inspection before, it wouldn’t hurt to do another assessment just in case there has been any new damage since you signed the contract. If you find any issues, note them, take dated photographs, and inform the estate agent, letting agent or landlord in writing as soon as possible. Renters should compare what they find against the check-in inventory, if one was provided.
Do a check for any items the previous tenant or owner left behind
If you are moving into a previously occupied building, do a check to see if there is anything the previous tenant or owner left behind. If the building or property is supposed to have fixtures or other elements that are part of the agreement, check that these are in place as well.
Assess prospective dangers or hazards
When you arrive, you should also check the building or property’s surroundings and see if there are any prospective dangers or hazards in the area. For instance, if the property you have bought or leased is on a main road, you have to make sure that everyone is aware of this and will be careful about oncoming traffic.
Pick a room or area for unpacking
It also helps with organization if you pick a particular room or area where your goods and belongings can be unloaded and where items can be stored until you are ready to unpack them. If the property has a spare room or a garage, then you can choose this as your unloading area and keep non-essential items in it for a few days whilst you are in the process of unpacking, so as not to have clutter in other rooms. This will also help you prioritise which boxes need to be unpacked first.
Introduce yourself to the neighbours
Even though you may be busy unloading, unpacking, and assessing your new environment, it wouldn’t hurt to introduce yourself to the neighbours early on as well. This way, you can break the ice as soon as possible and those living or doing business in the immediate vicinity will not be so quick to complain if you make a lot of noise or if your vehicle is in the way.
Whilst moving to a new location has its own difficulties, settling in at your new home or office need not be a challenge. Regardless of whether you live or work in Gloucester, London, or any other town or city in the UK, you need to make sure that your move is as seamless as possible. A reputable, insured removals company can also take much of the physical work off your hands. In Gloucester, Andrews Movers & Storers is one local removals firm readers can compare against others; whichever company you consider, get several written quotes and check what its insurance covers before you book.
First-Day Moving Checklist
The table below groups the most useful arrival tasks by urgency. Each one takes minutes but can save money or a dispute later.
| Task | When | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-through with dated photos | Before unloading | Records existing damage before your furniture goes in |
| Gas, electricity and water meter readings | On arrival | Separates your usage from the previous occupant’s |
| Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms | On arrival | Basic fire and gas safety; a legal duty for landlords in England |
| Find the stopcock, fuse box and gas shut-off | First hour | Lets you act quickly in a leak or electrical fault |
| Check keys and consider changing locks | First day | Previous occupants or contractors may still hold copies |
| Unpack an essentials box | First evening | Bedding, chargers, medicines, toiletries and kettle are ready without searching |
| Update your address with official bodies | First weeks | Avoids fines, missed post and wrong bills |
How Do You Take Meter Readings When You Move In?
Meter readings taken on moving day mean you pay only for the energy you use. The Energy Saving Trust advises giving your energy supplier at least 48 hours’ notice before you move, taking an initial meter reading the day you move into the new house, and comparing tariffs once you have settled in.
- Locate the gas and electricity meters (often in a cupboard under the stairs, an outside box or the hallway) and the water meter, if the property has one.
- Photograph each meter so the reading and the serial number are both visible.
- Find out who supplies the property, then send the readings to that supplier and open an account in your name.
- Keep the photos until your first bill arrives and check that it starts from your reading, not an estimate.
Are Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Required in a Rented Home?
In England, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on 1 October 2022. According to the government’s guidance for landlords and tenants, landlords must ensure at least one smoke alarm is installed on every storey used as living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance, such as a boiler or log burner (gas cookers are excluded).
The same guidance says landlords must check that each required alarm is in proper working order on the day a new tenancy begins, and must repair or replace alarms once told they are faulty. Local authorities enforce the rules and can impose a fine of up to £5,000 where a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules, so tenants there should check local guidance. Homeowners are not covered by these landlord duties, but testing every alarm on moving day is still a sensible first step.
Who Should You Tell About Your New Address?
Updating your address soon after moving prevents fines, missed post and bills sent to the wrong person. The most important organizations depend on where you live.
In the UK
- DVLA: According to GOV.UK, it does not cost anything to change the address on your driving licence, and you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA when your address changes. A new licence should arrive within a week if you apply online.
- Electoral register: GOV.UK says you need to register again if you change address; it usually takes about 5 minutes online, and you will be asked for your National Insurance number (you can still register without one).
- Council Tax: Tell your new local council you have moved in. GOV.UK states you get 25% off your bill if you pay Council Tax and live on your own, or if everyone else in your home is disregarded, but you must apply for the discount.
- GP surgery: If you move out of your surgery’s area, register with a new one. The NHS says everyone in England can register with a GP for free, online through the NHS website, and you do not need ID or proof of address.
- Tenancy deposit: If you rent in England or Wales, your landlord or letting agent must put your deposit in a government-backed protection scheme within 30 days of receiving it, according to GOV.UK. Ask which scheme holds it.
In the US
- USPS: According to USPS, standard mail forwarding lasts 12 months and can be extended for a fee by 6, 12 or 18 more months. Filing a change of address online requires a $1.25 identity verification fee, and forwarding can begin within 3 business days of the request, though USPS suggests allowing up to 2 weeks (as of October 2026).
- Other accounts: Update your address with your bank, employer, insurers, state motor vehicle agency and voter registration office; rules and deadlines vary by state.
Common Mistakes on Moving Day
- Unloading before inspecting. Once furniture is in place, it is harder to show that a scuff or crack was already there.
- Relying on estimated bills. Without your own dated reading, a supplier may estimate and you could pay for the previous occupant’s energy.
- Packing essentials in the van. Keep documents, keys, medicines, chargers and a first night’s supplies with you rather than in the removal vehicle.
- Leaving address changes for months. Some, like the DVLA update, carry fines if ignored; others, such as mail forwarding, take days to start.
For more help settling in, see these mobile apps for moving home, our list of factors that make moving house easier, and practical advice on keeping your house in good condition. If you are still deciding on your next home, compare renting versus owning a house or read the steps in the house buying process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to do when you move into a new house?
The first thing to do is a walk-through inspection before unloading, photographing any damage and taking meter readings. This records the condition of the property and the starting point for your energy bills, which protects you if there is a dispute later.
When should I take meter readings after moving in?
Take meter readings on the day you move in. The Energy Saving Trust recommends an initial reading on moving day so your new supplier can bill you accurately from the start.
Do I have to tell the DVLA I have moved?
Yes. GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA when your address changes, and updating your driving licence address is free.
How long does USPS mail forwarding last?
USPS standard mail forwarding lasts 12 months. It can be extended by 6, 12 or 18 more months for a fee, with 18 months the maximum extension, according to USPS as of October 2026.
Should I change the locks after moving?
Changing or rekeying the locks is a common precaution because previous owners, tenants or contractors may still have keys. Renters should ask the landlord for permission first, as the tenancy agreement may restrict changes to locks.
