Three things you should get sorted when you’re moving into a new home

Found a new home? No doubt you’ve spent long hours culling, packing and cleaning and you’ve got the all-important essentials boxed up, ready for day one in your new abode. But in all the excitement of moving – whether as an owner or a renter – it’s easy to overlook some of the most important steps along the way. 

Here are three things that should rank close to the top of your to-do list when you’re moving into a new home.

Insurance

For renters and owners alike, you’ll want to protect your home against the kind of damage that can be caused by extreme weather events, accidents or vandalism. The great news is you can get immediate cover over the phone or online.

You’ll also want to make sure you have funds to replace your belongings should they be damaged or stolen. And don’t wait until you’ve moved in – it’s prudent to get covered when contracts exchange.

Home buildings and contents insurance like that provided by NRMA Insurance will cover you for theft and vandalism, damage from floods and fire, and emergency repairs. 

And if your home needs to be rebuilt, NRMA Insurance will pay for the build, up to the insured amount.

Alex Dunn, executive manager of property claims at NRMA Insurance, says when you’re buying a home, you’ll want to get insurance as soon as you have a financial interest in the property, which is generally when contracts are exchanged.

She says that, as a renter, you can take out a contents insurance policy or opt for single-item insurance for valuables like laptops or jewellery. This means if your home is broken into, you’re covered with NRMA Insurance, even if you accidentally leave a window or door unlocked.

“A good place to start is online, but you can also get insurance over the phone,” she says. 

“You can get immediate cover with no immediate paperwork required, and there’s a cooling-off period of 21 days.”

Connect utilities

No hot water for showering is uncomfortable and no gas for cooking is frustrating. And if you don’t have access to the internet there’s no telling what kind of domino effect that might have on work and family life.

Danielle Johnson, director of movinghouse.com.au, says clients frequently underestimate how long the NBN or a changeover of internet service providers will take. 

“People get stressed that it won’t be changed over in time and that’s unnecessary stress if you can start counting down to your move from four weeks.”

Johnson says this will give you enough time to contact utility providers and arrange for connections at your new abode by your move-in date. It can also be a good opportunity to get a better deal on your energy, gas and internet bills.

Safety and security

Before the removalist truck arrives it’s a good idea to do a complete walk-through of your new home and check for any safety or security issues. 

Are any repairs required? Do doors lock and unlock successfully? Are there any water leaks? Have restrictors been installed on upper-level windows? Are the smoke detectors working? Where is the electric switchboard and does the circuit breaker work? Where is your water meter and how do you turn it off? This initial check might help avoid unexpected problems after you’ve settled in. 

Johnson also recommends a thorough property handover from your agent or builder, so that you understand how everything works.

“Many times we hear from clients saying, ‘We still can’t work out how to use the heater’, or ‘We can’t work out how to lock this door properly,’” she says.

“You need to know how to operate what’s in the house, whether you are the tenant or the new homeowner.”