Congratulations on the new place. The hard part is over: the furniture is in, the beds are set up and the new year is about to start. Now comes the list of little things that are easy to forget until one of them becomes a problem.
Here is your first-week checklist, with the Florida-specific deadlines highlighted.
Day 1: safety and the basics
Do these first
- Change or rekey the locks
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Find the main water shut-off valve
- Find the breaker panel and label it
- Replace the A/C filter
- Check that the water heater is working
Why the A/C filter matters in Florida
Your A/C runs most of the year here. A fresh filter on day one helps it run efficiently and keeps dust from the move out of the air.
Week 1: update your address
- Mail: file a change of address with USPS if you have not already.
- Driver license and ID: Florida gives you 30 days after you move to update the address on your driver license or ID card. You can do it online through FLHSMV.
- Vehicle registration: update the address on your registration too.
- Voter registration: update your address at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.
- Banks, employer, doctors and subscriptions: update them in one sitting so nothing gets lost.
Just bought a home? Mark March 1 on your calendar
If you own the home and it is your permanent residence as of January 1, you may qualify for Florida's homestead exemption, which can lower your property taxes. The application is due to your county property appraiser by March 1.
Closing and moving in before the end of December can make a difference for the coming year, so check the details with your county property appraiser. The Florida Department of Revenue explains how the exemption works.
Get to know your new area
- Trash and recycling days: check your city or county website so you are not the house with the full bin on the wrong day.
- HOA rules: read them before you put up a fence, paint the door or park a work truck.
- Utilities: make sure power, water and internet are in your name, not the previous owner's.
- Schools, doctors and a vet: find them now, not when you need them.
- Meet the neighbors: a quick hello goes a long way, and they know which streets flood in heavy rain.
Finish the unpacking
The last ten boxes are always the hardest. Pick one room a day and finish it completely. Flatten boxes as you go and recycle them, or give them to a neighbor who is moving.
Need a hand? Our crew can unpack for you, and our handy work service takes care of furniture assembly, TV mounting and light installs. Leftover furniture that did not fit? Junk removal can haul it away.
Moving in the new year?
January and February are some of the most comfortable months to move in Central Florida. Our 2-mover crew is $129/hr with no travel fee. Request a free quote and start the year in your new home.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to change my address on my Florida driver license?
Florida gives you 30 days after you move to update the address on your driver license or ID card. You can do it online through FLHSMV.
When is the Florida homestead exemption deadline?
Applications are due to your county property appraiser by March 1. You generally need to own the home and make it your permanent residence as of January 1 of that year.
What should I do first after moving into a new house?
Change the locks, test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, find the water shut-off and breaker panel, and replace the A/C filter. Then update your address.