Moving to a new apartment or home is an exciting time. You’ve been out hunting for months (or even years) and you’ve finally found the perfect place to settle down. But before you start nesting, there are a few household chores that you need to take care of. Most people know they need to change the locks or move the breakers to a new location. But you should also consider other important introductory measures, especially if you plan to stay for a while.
Change the toilet seat
Unless you’re moving to a place that’s been newly built or remodeled, your toilet seat has definitely been used. At least give a good cleanse. But going to the hardware store isn’t a good investment either take a new one before celebrating your new digs. Even if kept clean, toilet seats can often be included unsightly hard water stainsSo you might as well treat yourself to a fresh start.
Check the air filters
If you move into a house or apartment where they are accessible, check that the home ventilation system air filters are properly installed. If the filters look like they haven’t been changed, You replace. Your landlord, if you have one, will let you know if this is your responsibility in the future. In general, air filters should be changed at least every three months.
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Document everything
For those moving into an apartment, the first thing you’ll want to do is create your own Condition reportif your landlord hasn’t asked you to. Make a note of any damage or changes made to the home before you moved in. Provide a detailed description and take some photos. You don’t want to be held responsible for any problems caused by the previous owners. By documenting these issues now, you will save yourself a lot of hassle (and possibly even your security deposit) when you move out.
Make a contingency plan
Having a contingency plan, whether you are in a house or an apartment, is essential. If something should happen, you need to know which exits or stairwells are safe to use and where to go after leaving the house. Establish a meeting point so everyone in your household knows where to meet.
Real estate agent Sarah Darrow advises that an emergency plan should include the collection of supplies. “Order devices like an escape ladder, fire extinguisher, and smoke / CO2 alarm,” she advises. Renters should also immediately check the batteries in all existing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
Darrow says it’s also a good idea to “call the fire department if they need gate codes or other specific instructions in an emergency.”
Get a toolbox
I love doing DIY jobs around my apartment, but replacing sink taps or doorknobs requires a good tool tool to do the job properly – and you never know when you might need to fix some things yourself (especially if your building is awesome or the management company is slow to respond to minor repairs. So bring some tools with you – I took a small kit with essentials like a screwdriver, nails, and Allan wrench, and also grabbed an electric drill and drill. Don’t bother yourself Worry about buying expensive high-end products when all you can do is take care of the simple things spend about $ 40 and get everything you need.
Get to know the rules and observe the state of the country
If your new home is governed by a homeowners association or list of building codes, make a list of all of the rules you need to follow, from how often you need to cut the grass, to where and how They do it, dispose of garbage. Make a note of the dates and times for the garbage and recycling collection, street cleaning, and see where the deliveries are going in your building.
Mark the locations of the water stops and gas pipes, and locate the breaker box so you know where to go the first time you find that you can’t run the microwave and coffee maker at the same time. Darrow reminds renters and homeowners to also familiarize themselves with city ordinances, including parking regulations and pet registration procedures. And make sure you track down your local first responders: They want to know where the nearest hospitals, police stations and other emergency services are and the quickest way to get to them in the event of a disaster.
