The first week in a new rental is the best time to document the condition of the property, organize important records, test basic systems, and learn how the building or property works. Doing these tasks early can prevent small questions from becoming larger problems later and gives you a clearer starting record for the tenancy.
You do not need to complete everything in one day. A short checklist spread across the first week is usually easier and gives you time to notice issues that are not obvious during the initial move-in.
Day One: Record the Condition of the Property
Before furniture and boxes cover the rooms, take clear photos or video of floors, walls, doors, windows, counters, fixtures, appliances, and any existing marks or damage. If the property uses a move-in inspection form, complete it carefully and return it through the required method. Keep your own copy together with the original media files.
Confirm Keys, Access, and Important Contacts
Check that you have the correct keys, access cards, gate codes, mailbox information, parking details, and instructions for shared areas. Save the contact information for the landlord, property manager, maintenance team, emergency line, and any building office you may need later.
Test Essential Fixtures and Appliances
Run taps, check hot water, flush toilets, test lights and electrical outlets you plan to use, open and close windows, and check the basic operation of supplied appliances. Look for leaks, unusual smells, loose fittings, or visible damage. Report significant problems promptly and keep the message in writing.
Set Up Utilities and Accounts
Confirm which utilities are already active and which accounts need to be placed in your name. Record account numbers, activation dates, meter readings where relevant, and any setup confirmation. Save the first bill so you can compare future charges and understand the normal billing cycle.
Learn the Property’s Everyday Rules
Review information about trash collection, recycling, package delivery, laundry, parking, guest access, quiet hours, common areas, maintenance entry, and any booking system for shared facilities. Knowing these details early makes daily routines much easier.
Organize Rental Documents in One Place
Create one folder—digital, physical, or both—for the lease, receipts, deposit records, move-in photos, inspection forms, maintenance messages, utility details, and important contact information. Use filenames or labels with dates so documents remain easy to find months later.
Check Basic Home Safety
Make sure doors and windows close and lock properly, understand the main exit routes, locate any provided alarms or safety equipment, and note where important utility controls are located if that information is available to tenants. If something appears damaged or unsafe, report it through the appropriate maintenance channel.
Build a Small First-Week Shopping List
Focus on essentials before decorative purchases. Cleaning supplies, basic tools, light bulbs where tenants are responsible, food storage, shower or kitchen basics, and a few replacement items are usually more useful than buying everything at once. A staged approach also protects your move-in budget.
Review Your First Month’s Housing Budget
Update your budget with real costs: rent, utilities, internet, transport, parking, building charges, and any one-time setup expenses. Note which costs were higher or lower than expected. This gives you a better estimate for the following month and helps separate recurring costs from move-in-only spending.
First-Week Checklist
- Photograph and document the property condition
- Confirm keys, codes, parking, and mailbox access
- Test essential fixtures and supplied appliances
- Report important maintenance issues in writing
- Set up required utilities and save account details
- Learn building and property rules
- Store lease, receipts, and inspection records together
- Check basic safety and access points
- Update your housing budget with actual costs
After the First Week
Once the essentials are organized, keep using the same record-keeping habits throughout the tenancy. Save important messages, payment confirmations, repair requests, and notices. A well-documented first week gives you a strong baseline and makes the rest of the tenancy easier to manage.