A move-in checklist for your new or resale home

Why the first weeks matter

The first weeks in a new home are a good time to learn how it works. Boxes are still being unpacked, furniture is not yet in every corner and you can reach places that will be hard to get to later. It is also when small defects are easiest to spot and raise with the seller, developer or contractor.

This checklist covers the checks that cut across trades: electrical, plumbing, aircon, fire safety and cleaning. It works for a new flat, a resale flat or a condominium. Where a topic has its own guide, this article links to it rather than repeating the detail.

Before you move in: clean first

It is far easier to clean an empty home than one full of furniture. If there has been any renovation, fine dust settles on every surface, inside cabinets and in window tracks, and it keeps reappearing for weeks unless it is removed properly.

• Clean inside cabinets, wardrobes and drawers before you fill them.
• Wipe window tracks, grilles and sills.
• Clean the floor traps and check that they drain.
• Wipe light switches, power points and door handles.
• Check behind and under built-in fixtures for leftover debris.

The post-renovation cleaning guide explains what a professional clean usually covers and how it differs from a regular visit.

Find the DB box and water valves

Two things everyone in the home should be able to find quickly: the DB box, which controls the electrical supply, and the main water valve.

The DB box

Find the DB box and open the cover. Check whether the circuit breakers are labelled. If they are not, switch off one at a time with someone checking which rooms lose power, and label each one. Note where the main switch is, so you can cut power quickly in an emergency.

The electrician guide for HDB flats covers common electrical questions for flats, and the power trip guide explains what to do if a breaker trips.

Water valves

Find the main water valve and the smaller isolation valves under the basins and near the toilet cistern and water heater. Turn each one gently to check that it moves. A valve that will not turn is better found now than during a leak.

Test taps, drains and the water heater

Run every tap for a short while, hot and cold, and check under the basin for drips. Fill and drain each sink and basin to make sure the water runs away quickly. Flush every toilet and check that the cistern stops filling.

• Look for damp patches or stains on ceilings and walls, especially under bathrooms.
• Check the sealant around basins, showers and kitchen tops for gaps or mould.
• Run the shower and check the floor trap drains without pooling.
• Turn on the water heater and check that it heats and does not leak or trip.

If you find a slow drain or a dripping fitting, the choked drain guide and the leak repair guide explain the next steps. For anything that needs fixing, you can compare plumbing companies on HomezyPro.

Book the first aircon service

Unless the seller or developer can show you a recent service record, it is sensible to book an aircon service soon after you move in. Units in empty homes can collect dust and dirt in the drain pipe, and a service gives you a clean starting point and an early check for problems such as leaks or weak cooling.

Ask the company to tell you the model of each unit and anything they notice. It also helps to check that the outdoor units are reachable for future servicing and that the drain pipes are not blocked by items left behind by the previous owner or the renovation team. The guide to how often to service aircon helps you plan the routine after that.

Fire safety and renovation rules

Fire safety is easy to put off in a busy move. Check whether the home has a smoke detector and test it. Keep a fire extinguisher where you can reach it in the kitchen area, and make sure everyone knows how to get out of the home quickly. SCDF's fire safety and emergency advisories are a good place to read more about keeping a home safe.

If you plan any renovation in an HDB flat, read HDB's important information on renovations before you book contractors. Condominium residents should check the management office's rules as well.

Questions

What should I check first when I move into a resale flat?

Find the DB box and label the breakers, locate the main water valve and the isolation valves, and test every tap, drain and toilet. Then book a clean, an aircon service and test the smoke detector.

Should I clean before or after moving in?

Before, if you can. Cleaning an empty home is much easier, and it lets you clear renovation dust from cabinets, window tracks and floor traps before furniture and belongings go in.

Do I need to service the aircon in a new home?

It is sensible to book a service soon after moving in, unless the seller or developer can show a recent service record. It gives you a clean starting point and an early check for leaks or weak cooling.