Your first 30 days in a new home – HouseFixLibrary.com

Use this as an adaptable first-month plan, not a deadline for completing every repair. Renters should report faults and obtain permission before changing fixtures.

First 48 hours

Locate safe exits and agree a meeting place. Test smoke and CO alarms using their manuals.Locate the household water shutoff and panel from safe access; ask the utility about gas emergencies.Record the landlord/manager, utility and emergency service contacts privately.Check for obvious leaks and immediate hazards. Do not wait for day 30 to report a dangerous condition.

Days 3–7: learn the equipment

Collect HVAC, water-heater, appliance and opener model numbers and manuals.Record filter dimensions and permitted type; inspect rather than replace by guesswork.Review the home inspection report and list unresolved issues.Observe gutters, drainage and visible dampness from safe access. Photograph concerns.

Days 8–14: plan the work

Group issues into immediate danger, professional assessment and routine owner care.Arrange overdue heating/cooling, dryer-vent and other model-specific service.Check your toolkit against the jobs you actually plan. Avoid speculative equipment purchases.Record alarm installation dates and model replacement instructions.

Days 15–30: make it repeatable

Choose a regular monthly check day and download the maintenance calendar.Store service receipts, warranties and safe-access photographs together.Get written quotes for unresolved work, including scope, permits and disposal.Review completed tasks and agree who will handle the next seasonal checks.