So you’re finally moved and settled into your new place. Congratulations! But before you pop open that bottle of champagne and nuzzle up on your new sectional to binge watch the latest season of Game of Thrones, there are still a few things that need to be checked off of your to-do list.

Check out our moving into a new home checklist to ensure that you dot all of your I’s and cross all of your T’s.

Transfer & set up utilities

If you are renting and you have cool landlords, perhaps they’ve given you a few days grace period to allow you to transfer the utilities into your name. If not, you’ll want to jump on that immediately.

The first few days at your new pad will be a lot more pleasant if you have gas, water, and electricity. Remember to schedule trash pick up, too. Cable and internet are also important (how did people even live a few decades ago without them?!), but those aren’t necessarily a top priority.

Hint: Shop around for local internet and satellite providers as opposed to big-name Companies. These lesser-known businesses provide the same services at a fraction of the cost.

Inspect your place thoroughly

If you’re renting, make sure that your landlord or property manager provides you with a move in / move out checklist. Walk through the house, preferably with an extra set of eyes, and mark down anything you see – chipped door frames, cracked tiles, broken blinds, holes in carpet, etc.

Write down everything! Don’t be shy. It will pay off later when you’re looking to get your security deposit back.

After your checklist is complete, make sure that you and your landlord look it over together to ensure that you’re both on the same page so that you won’t have any problems in the future.

Childproof your home

Obviously, this isn’t an issue if you don’t have kids, but if you do, a new house means tons of exploration for your little ones and a million opportunities to get themselves hurt or into trouble.

If possible, hire a babysitter or someone to distract your mini me’s as you make the home kid-friendly. Children are curious creatures, and if they see you putting outlet plugs in the electrical sockets, they will be more apt to waddle on over when you’re not around and check them out for themselves.

If you have a fireplace hearth with sharp corners and edges, you’ll definitely want to get hearth edge and corner guards so that you can have some peace of mind as your little one explores their new home. And don’t worry, they are a lot more aesthetically appealing once they are installed.

Check with your landlord before you make any holes in the cabinets to install baby latches. If you get a yay, go for it. If it’s a nay, you can always get sliding cabinet locks.

Change your address

First so you’ll want to register that new address with the post office. You can stop by your local post office, or you can do it online. That way, all of your mail will be forwarded to your new place.

Before you start ordering decorations and accessories for your new home, you’ll also want to make sure that you’ve changed your address on Amazon or any other site you regularly order from. You wouldn’t want the new residents at your old place to be getting all your goodies.

Similarly, be sure that if you have magazine subscriptions or monthly subscription boxes that you change the address for those, too. Banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, and the like should likewise be informed of your new address.

If you’re moving to a new city, remember to update your information on your voters’ registration for your local area.

And if you’d like, you can send out little notices to your friends to inform them of your big move and your new address.

Get to know your neighbors

In the movies, the folks next door always come over with a tray of freshly baked pastries to welcome their new neighbors. But even if you don’t have such culinarily skilled neighbors, it’s a good idea to walk on over to let them know who you are. It’s a sign of good manners, and it’s also an excellent opportunity to befriend local people who can help you navigate an unfamiliar part of town (or at least tell you where to get the best slices of pizza during your first week).  

Deep clean your house

No nook should be left un-dusted and no cranny left un-sanitized. There’s no better way to make your new house feel like a home than to clean it to your standards. Not only will you feel more comfortable sitting on a toilet that you just bleached down, but the scent of your own cleaning products can actually make you feel more at home. Also, this is likely your only opportunity to scrub the place in its entirety without being hindered by furniture or other large objects that come with living in a place.

Get organized

It can be tempting just to leave boxes sitting in the dining room for weeks on end, but resist the temptation and put everything in its proper place. Not only will you feel more settled in but you’ll also lower your levels of stress, as research indicates that there is a positive correlation between clutter and stress levels.

Change the locks

Most apartment management companies and landlords change the locks whenever they get new tenants. Ask if the locks have been changed. If not, stop by your local hardware store and purchase a new set of locks, or call a locksmith.

Don’t forget to take time to smell the roses (or even plant some, if that’s your thing). Moving into a new place is an incredible milestone and something to be enjoyed. Don’t get overwhelmed thinking that everything needs to get done right away. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Take a deep breath, plop down, and take time to enjoy this blessing that is your new home. You deserve it.