The Next Checklist

First-Time Homeowner Checklist

Introduction

Owning a home means the repairs, safety, and upkeep are now yours. That is less overwhelming when you handle it in order: make the home safe first, get your documents and coverage straight, then settle into simple maintenance habits.

This page covers the first days, the first weeks, and the first year. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax, or insurance advice. Your closing documents, mortgage terms, warranty, and local codes govern your specific situation.

Start here

10 Minute Version

If you can only do a few things after moving in, start here.

  • Find and label the main water shutoff, electrical panel, and gas shutoff.
  • Change or rekey every exterior lock and update garage and gate codes.
  • Test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm and replace old batteries.
  • Confirm your homeowners insurance is active as of your closing date.
  • Save your closing documents, deed, warranty, and inspection report in one place.
  • Locate the HVAC filter and note its size so you can replace it on schedule.

First Days: Safety And Access

Before anything else, make sure you can control the home and get out safely.

Locks and entry

  • Rekey or replace all exterior door locks — you do not know who has old keys.
  • Change garage door codes, gate codes, and any smart-lock or alarm passwords.
  • Check that windows and doors lock, and note any that do not.

Shutoffs and alarms

  • Locate and label the main water shutoff so you can stop a leak fast.
  • Find the electrical panel and label the breakers as you test them.
  • Find the gas shutoff and the water heater and furnace shutoffs.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, replace batteries, and add alarms where they are missing.
  • Confirm you have a working fire extinguisher and know where it is.

First Weeks: Documents, Money, And Utilities

Get the paperwork and accounts in order while the closing is fresh.

Documents and insurance

  • Store your closing packet, deed, title insurance, survey, and inspection report together.
  • Confirm homeowners insurance is in force and understand what it does and does not cover.
  • Check whether you are in a flood zone; flood damage is usually not covered by standard policies.
  • Understand your mortgage: whether taxes and insurance are escrowed, and when payments are due.
  • Set up a home file for warranties, manuals, receipts, and permits.

Utilities and services

  • Confirm all utilities are in your name: electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash, and internet.
  • Learn trash and recycling days and any local rules.
  • Find or request the location of the sewer cleanout or septic system details.
  • Program the thermostat and locate the HVAC filter, noting its size.

First Year: Maintenance And Reserves

A little routine upkeep prevents the expensive surprises.

Seasonal maintenance

  • Replace HVAC filters on schedule, often every one to three months.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms twice a year.
  • Clean gutters, check the roof from the ground, and clear drainage away from the foundation.
  • Service heating and cooling systems before each season.
  • Check for leaks under sinks, around the water heater, and near toilets.
  • Winterize outdoor faucets and sprinklers if you have freezing weather.

Money and records

  • Start a repair and maintenance fund; major systems eventually need replacing.
  • Keep receipts for improvements, which can matter for taxes when you sell.
  • Review your insurance coverage yearly as you make improvements.
  • Learn about any homeowner tax deductions you may qualify for.

Printable Homeowner Checklist

Use this condensed list as a working page. Post it inside a cabinet door.

First days

  • Rekey or change all exterior locks and codes.
  • Label the main water, electrical, and gas shutoffs.
  • Test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.
  • Confirm homeowners insurance is active.

First weeks

  • File closing documents, deed, warranty, and inspection report together.
  • Put all utilities in your name.
  • Note the HVAC filter size and thermostat settings.
  • Check flood risk and mortgage escrow details.

First year

  • Replace HVAC filters on schedule.
  • Clean gutters and check drainage and the roof.
  • Service heating and cooling each season.
  • Build a repair and maintenance fund.

Common Mistakes

  • Not knowing where the main water shutoff is until there is a flood.
  • Skipping a lock change and assuming no one else has a key.
  • Letting HVAC filters clog, which strains the system and raises bills.
  • Assuming standard insurance covers flood or sewer backup.
  • Having no reserve fund when a water heater or roof fails.
  • Starting a major renovation without checking whether a permit is required.
  • Ignoring small leaks and drainage problems until they cause damage.

Extra support

When To Call A Professional

Bring in a licensed professional or your local building department when:

  • You smell gas, see scorched outlets, or suspect an electrical or gas hazard — leave and call for help first.
  • You have a major water leak, sewer backup, or standing water.
  • You are planning structural, electrical, plumbing, or roofing work that may need a permit.
  • An inspection flagged an issue you do not fully understand.
  • You are unsure whether a repair is safe to do yourself.

Last Reviewed

Last reviewed: July 5, 2026

This page is reviewed periodically. Codes, insurance rules, and tax guidance may change.

Sources And Further Help

These official resources can help with specific parts of owning a home.