Advice for moving into your new home

When you leave Halls and move out in to the community, there's some big differences to consider. If you want to make sure your tenancy runs as smoothly as possible - start as you mean to go on. Make sure you have followed all of the below steps when moving in to your new home.

Say Hello

Your neighbours could be students like you but they could also be young professionals managing a 9 - 5, ill or elderly people or a family with young children. When you first move in be sure to follow the social distancing guidelines at all times, but where safe and appropriate we would recommend introducing yourself. You’ll be living next to each other for a year, and community is more important now than ever before, so you might as well say hello! Ask questions about the street and the area, in particular practical things you might need to know like when the bins go out or if there is anything you need to be aware of now you live there.

Take your first meter readings

You don’t want to be paying the previous tenants’ bill! Supply the reading to your landlord, agent or energy supplier (if you are paying your bills directly). It’s a good idea to take meter readings every month to make sure your bills are accurate and not estimated, which can be higher than expected.

Check the inventory

This should be supplied by the landlord or agent and details the condition of the property, fixtures and fittings at the start of your tenancy. Have a good look through it, check there are no missing items, that all appliances work properly and make a note on the inventory of any damage or broken items (take pictures). Once complete, return it to your landlord and request repairs. The inventory will be checked again at the end of your tenancy. If your landlord does not supply one, you can produce one of your own and (we can’t stress this enough) take pictures!

Find out how to switch off the gas, electricity and water

This is important in an emergency! Your mains water tap, or stopcock, is the off-switch for all the water in your home. Hopefully you'll never need to use it but if you don't know where it is and a pipe bursts, you'll be powerless to stop it flooding your home. Your landlord or agent will be able to show you if you’re unsure.

Check the appliance manuals

You don’t want to break something and end up having to pay for a replacement, so make sure you know how to use everything correctly – in particular the boiler. Ask the landlord for manuals and get them off the internet if they don’t provide them

Does the property have a TV licence?

Check your tenancy agreement to see if your landlord has provided a TV licence for the property. You will need one to watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service. This could be on any device. More details can be found on the TV Licensing website. 

Get Insured

It's important to have contents insurance in place for when you move into your new property to ensure that your possessions are protected. Comparethemarket.com have put together this guide that explains what to look for when purchasing a policy. 

Check you have the right bins 

It's important to keep on top of household waste. Bins need to be put out at the right time and place, and stored away between collection days to ensure they don't get lost or stolen. Click here for more information about bins and recycling.

Fire Safety - know your escape route

Make sure you are prepared should an emergency arise and make sure all exits are kept clear.

Get registered

If you haven't already done so, make sure you register with a local GP and also register to vote if you want to change this from your home address.

Click here to access Liverpool Student Homes FactSheet to further prepare you for moving into your new home.