Even as you heave a sigh of relief as you’re stepping into your new home, you must feel that the move won’t be really over until you take care of the most pressing post-relocation tasks, one by one.
The very first thing to do when moving into a new apartment will definitely depend on a number of variables, including the time of your arrival. Whether you make it to the new place before your movers arrive will also play a major role in determining the exact order of what you do and when you do it.
You can’t really inspect the boxes if those containers have not been delivered yet, can you?
Some post-move tasks will always be more important than others, and that’s why you should focus on the chores that have high-priority labels attached to them.
Here’s what to do first when moving into a new apartment:
Make sure your children are OK
When moving with children, the very first thing to do when moving into a new apartment is to make sure they are just fine – nothing is more important than their safety and well-being.
Of course, your kids’ needs will be different depending on their respective age. If they are too young to help you settle into the new home, then you must have somebody you trust to look after them in a safe room while you tend to all the immediate post-move tasks.
Also, find some time in your busy schedule to baby-proof the new apartment so that your baby or toddler is perfectly safe in the new environment.
On the other hand, if your children are old enough, they should definitely help you unpack the essentials boxes and set up the priority rooms.
Related: How to baby-proof your home after moving
Take care of your pets as well
When you move into a new apartment with a pet – a dog, a cat, or a bird, then you’re going to have to tend to their specific needs as well.
Most pets will require time to acclimate to the new place, and the immediate post-relocation period is especially crucial simple because they are likely to be scared, disoriented, and stressed out all because of the move. And that’s why, to avoid trouble, it’s best to spend as much time with them as possible so that they are not left on their own, alone and scared.
It’s important to make your dog or cat comfortable in the new apartment, so that they remain calm and safe.
Dog lovers: How to make a dog comfortable in a new home
Cat lovers: How to make a cat comfortable in a new home
Also, be sure to pet-proof the new place to prevent injuries or accidents to your lovely pet animal.
See also: How to pet-proof a home after moving
When moving with a bird, place the cage in a safe and quiet room away from the noisy unpacking action. Provide favorite treats and fresh water to your pet bird and arrange the cage the way it was in the old home.
Note the condition of the apartment
If you’re renting the apartment you just moved into, then a priority task is to fill in a condition report that your landlord or property manager must have provided to you in advance. But even if nobody has asked you to complete such a report, then you should still document the current condition of the apartment in case of any disputes later on – usually in connection to the security deposit.
Take a tour around the new place, take detailed notes whenever necessary and take plenty of photos as proof of the apartment’s condition the day you moved into it. If you happen to notice any pre-existing damage or any problems whatsoever, photograph them closely and turn on the date stamp function on the camera.
Read also: What to do the first night in a new home
Unpack the essentials boxes
After moving into a new apartment, your things may yet to be delivered by the moving company you’ve hired. And if that’s the case, then one of the very first things you need to do is to unpack the essentials boxes so that you can survive the time until you get your household items delivered to the new place.
The moment you move into the new apartment, open up those survival kits and get out those essential items – kitchen items, toiletries and other bathroom items, bedding, change of clothes, medicines, children’s items, pet’s items, basic tools, and other stuff, including some cleaning supplies to clean some of the more crucial areas in the apartment – the bathroom, for example.
See also: How to pack an essentials box
Check the boxes on your moving inventory list
If your apartment movers just delivered your stuff, then one of the things to do after moving into an apartment is to check all household items against the inventory list that you created before the move.
All inventoried boxes and furniture items have to be present in the new apartment, delivered in the exact condition they left the old place. So, inspect them closely to make sure everything is as it should be.
If an item is damaged or missing altogether though, you must make a note in the inventory list and inform the moving company immediately so that the issue can be resolved quickly and more importantly – peacefully, that is without any unnecessary drama.
Related: How to make a moving inventory
Set up the three most important rooms
In most cases, what you need to do first when moving into a new apartment will come naturally to you.
For example, you are likely to be extremely tired after a tough Moving day, so what do you do? You set up the bedroom, of course, so that you can have a well-deserved rest. Also, after a day of hard manual labor, you’ll be longing to take a refreshing shower as well, so you’ll also need to set up the bathroom.
In fact, which rooms you unpack first will also depend on the time of your arrival in the new apartment – whether it’s noon or early afternoon, or most likely – late afternoon, evening, or even night. Nevertheless, regardless of the exact order, the three most important rooms to unpack first are: BATHROOM, BEDROOM, and KITCHEN.
Useful info: What to unpack first when you move into a new home
Reassemble the essential furniture
If you happen to be moving into an apartment that’s not furnished, then you may have decided to move some furniture pieces with you to the new place. Should that be the case, then you’re going to have to put back those furniture items with priority.
The bed and sofa should be reassembled first, with your dresser coming right after them. Luckily, some furniture units won’t need to be put back together again – chairs, (coffee tables), night stands, and so on.
Provided that you’re paying your apartment movers for the extra service of furniture disassembly, then they should reassemble the furniture items to their original condition. If you’re doing it by yourself, however, make sure you know how to complete that post-move task without professional assistance.
Must-read: Do you need furniture movers?
