Moving into a new rental in London is exciting, but the first week comes with a to-do list. This simple guide walks you through utilities, meter readings, your inventory, and repairs, so you settle into your London home without the stress.
Moving into a new rental is one of life's busier weeks, and renting in London moves fast. You have boxes to unpack, a new area to learn, and a handful of jobs that are easy to forget in the rush. Miss a few of them, though, and you can end up overpaying on bills or losing part of your deposit later.
The good news is that none of it is hard. Most of these tasks take minutes, as long as you do them in the right order and early. So we have laid them out as a clear first-week checklist you can work through.
Below, you will find exactly what to do on day one, what to sort within the first week, and how to protect yourself from the common pitfalls. Follow it, and your new home will feel settled in no time.
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Your first-week checklist
1. Take your meter readings on day one
This is the first job when moving into a new rental, and it is the one people forget most. Find your gas, electricity, and water meters, then take a clear photo of each reading. Do this on the day you get the keys, before you switch much on.
These readings mark the start of your tenancy. As a result, you only pay for the energy you actually use, not the last tenant's bill. Keep the photos safe, because they settle any dispute in seconds.
2. Set up your utilities and broadband
Next, sort out who supplies your energy, water, and internet. Your tenancy agreement or inventory often names the current energy supplier. If not, you can find it quickly through the free online supplier lookup tools.
Contact each supplier to open an account in your name, and give them your day-one meter readings. Then set up your water account with the local supplier, and book your broadband early, since installation can take a week or two. Sorting these first avoids a cold, disconnected start.
3. Register for council tax
Council tax is easy to overlook, yet the bill lands all the same. Tell your local London council that you have moved in, and give them your tenancy start date. In Hackney, for example, you can register through Hackney Council's council tax pages in a few minutes. Each London borough has its own online form.
Register early, and you avoid a backdated bill landing weeks later. If you live alone, remember to claim the 25% single-person discount, because it is not applied automatically.
4. Check and sign your inventory
Your landlord or agent should give you a check-in inventory. This document records the property's condition and contents at the start of your tenancy. In short, it is your proof of how you found the place.
Go through it room by room within your first week. Photograph any marks, wear, or faults, and add written notes where the inventory is wrong. Then sign and return it with your comments. This simple step protects your deposit when you eventually move out.
5. Know how to report repairs
Something will always need attention in a new home, from a dripping tap to a faulty radiator. Report it to your landlord or managing agent as soon as you spot it. Above all, do it in writing, by email or through their app, so there is a clear record.
A good agent will respond quickly and arrange the fix. Keep a note of what you reported and when, just as you would with your inventory. If you rent through a managed service, repairs are usually logged and handled for you, which takes the worry away.
6. Confirm your deposit is protected
By law, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. The three schemes are the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This rule applies to every assured shorthold tenancy in England.
You should receive the scheme details and "prescribed information" in that window. If you do not, ask your landlord or agent. You can also check the status directly with the scheme, and the government deposit protection guide explains your rights in full.
7. Other essentials when moving into a new rental
A few smaller jobs round off your move. None takes long, yet each one saves hassle down the line.
Locate the safety basics
Find your stopcock, fuse box, and thermostat. Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms too, and tell your agent at once if any are missing or silent.
Check your paperwork
You should have been given the government How to Rent guide, a gas safety certificate, and an energy performance certificate. Keep them with your tenancy agreement in one folder.
Update your address and cover your things
Redirect your post, and update your bank, employer, and the electoral roll. Finally, consider contents insurance, because your landlord's policy does not cover your belongings.
Your checklist for moving into a new rental
Here is the whole checklist in one place. Work down it in order, and you will have everything covered.
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Photograph all meter readings and the property's condition |
| Day 1–2 | Contact energy and water suppliers; book broadband |
| Day 1–3 | Register for council tax; claim any single-person discount |
| Within 7 days | Check, annotate, and sign your inventory |
| As needed | Report any repairs in writing |
| Within 30 days | Confirm your deposit is protected and prescribed information received |
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Frequently asked questions
Your first days moving into a new rental
What should I do first when moving into a new rental?
Take photos of every meter reading and the general condition of the property on day one. This protects you from paying for the last tenant's energy and gives you clear evidence for your deposit later.
How do I set up utilities when moving into a rental in London?
Find out who supplies the energy and water, then contact each one to open an account in your name and give them your meter readings. In London, Thames Water usually supplies water. Book broadband early, as installation can take one to two weeks.
Do I need to take meter readings when I move in?
Yes. Readings taken on day one mark the start of your tenancy, so you only pay for the energy you use. A dated photo of each meter is the simplest proof.
Protecting yourself as a tenant
How long does a landlord have to protect my deposit?
Your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and give you the prescribed information. If you have not received it, ask your landlord or agent.
How do I report repairs to my landlord?
Report any repair in writing, by email or through your agent's app, as soon as you notice it. Keep a record of what you reported and when, so there is clear evidence if you need it.
Who do I need to tell when I move into a rented flat?
Tell your energy and water suppliers, the local council for council tax, and your bank and employer for your change of address. Add yourself to the electoral roll and redirect your post too.