Congratulations. You did it. After months of inspections, paperwork, and probably more stress than you ever anticipated, you finally have the keys to your first home. The excitement is real, but so is the slight panic of wondering what happens next.
Here's the thing most people don't tell you: buying the house is just the beginning. There's a whole list of tasks waiting for you before you can truly settle in. Some are obvious, others catch first home buyers completely off guard. This checklist covers everything you need to tackle in those first few weeks, from security basics to setting up utilities and building your emergency contact list. Print it out, work through it systematically, and you'll avoid the common headaches that trip up so many new homeowners.
Change the Locks and Secure Your Property
Your first job before you unpack a single box is changing the locks. You have no idea how many copies of your keys are floating around out there. Previous owners, their family members, real estate agents, tradies who worked on the property, old tenants if it was a rental. The list goes on.
Call a locksmith or head to your local hardware store and get new locks installed on every external door. While you're at it, check that all windows lock properly and consider upgrading to smart locks if it fits your budget. This small investment gives you peace of mind from day one.
Set Up Your Essential Utilities
Nothing ruins move-in day quite like discovering you have no electricity or hot water. Ideally, you want utilities connected before you arrive with the moving truck. Contact providers at least two weeks before settlement to arrange connections.
Most utility companies let you set everything up online these days. Below is a quick reference for what you need to organise and when to do it.
Conduct a Thorough Property Inspection
Before the furniture arrives and boxes pile up everywhere, walk through every room with fresh eyes. This is your chance to document the property's condition while it's completely empty. Take photos and videos of walls, floors, ceilings, and any existing damage.
Check for things that might have been missed during the pre-purchase inspection. Look for water stains, cracks, mould in corners, and test all the light switches and power points. If you find issues, you'll want evidence of what was there before you moved in. This documentation can be valuable if you need to make insurance claims or dispute bond returns down the track.
Know Where Your Emergency Shut-Offs Are Located
This one catches so many first home buyers off guard. Imagine waking up at 2am to water pouring through your ceiling, and you have absolutely no idea how to stop it. Not a great scenario.
Find your water main shut-off valve immediately. It's usually near your water meter at the front of the property or in the garage. Locate your electrical switchboard too, typically in the garage, laundry, or on an external wall. If you have gas, know where the gas shut-off valve is. Knowing these locations could save you thousands in water damage or prevent a dangerous situation. Burst pipes and major leaks rarely happen at convenient times, and that's where an emergency plumber comes in handy. Having a reliable plumber's number saved in your phone means you can get professional help fast while you manage the shut-off to minimise damage. Test each shut-off valve so you know they work properly and aren't seized up from lack of use.
Update Your Address Everywhere
Changing your address sounds simple enough, but the list of places that need your new details is surprisingly long. Miss one and you might have important mail going to your old address for months.
Start with the essentials like the ATO, Medicare, and your driver's licence. Then work through banks, superannuation funds, and insurance providers. Don't forget subscriptions, online shopping accounts, and anywhere you receive deliveries. Here's a breakdown to help you stay organised.
Meet Your Neighbours and Learn the Area
It might feel a bit awkward, but introducing yourself to neighbours is worth the effort. A quick hello and a wave goes a long way. Good neighbour relationships make life easier in countless small ways, from collecting parcels when you're away to keeping an eye on things while you're on holiday.
Take some time to explore your new neighbourhood on foot. Find your nearest supermarket, pharmacy, medical centre, and petrol station. Work out the best routes for your commute. Join local community Facebook groups to stay informed about what's happening in your area. The sooner you feel connected to your neighbourhood, the sooner your new house starts to feel like home.
Create a Home Maintenance Schedule
Owning a home means you're responsible for everything that breaks, wears out, or needs attention. Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than emergency repairs, so get into good habits early.
Set calendar reminders for seasonal tasks. Clean gutters before winter, service your air conditioning before summer, test smoke alarm batteries every six months. Keep a simple log of when you complete maintenance tasks and any issues you notice. This record becomes invaluable when you eventually sell or need to make warranty claims on appliances.
Build Your Emergency Fund and Tradie Contact List
Here's the reality of home ownership that nobody enjoys talking about: things break at the worst possible times. Hot water systems fail on Friday nights. Toilets block on public holidays. Roofs leak during storms. Having money set aside specifically for home emergencies takes the panic out of these situations.
Aim to build up a buffer of at least $5,000 to $10,000 over time. Beyond money, start collecting recommendations for reliable tradies now, before you need them urgently. Ask neighbours, friends, and family for their go-to plumbers, electricians, and handypeople. Save these contacts in your phone so you're not frantically Googling at midnight when something goes wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Change all locks immediately after settlement for security and peace of mind
- Set up utilities at least two weeks before your move-in date to avoid delays
- Document the property's condition with photos and videos while it's empty
- Locate your water, gas, and electrical shut-offs before an emergency happens
- Update your address with government agencies, financial institutions, and subscriptions
- Build relationships with neighbours and get to know your local area
- Create a maintenance schedule to prevent costly emergency repairs
- Start an emergency fund and compile a list of trusted tradies