New apartment checklist
Moving into a new apartment means a sprint of administrative tasks across the first few days and weeks. This checklist organizes them by urgency — what to handle before you unpack, what to address in the first week, and what can wait until the dust settles.
Do these within the first 24 hours of getting your keys.
Document existing damage
Walk through every room with your phone camera before unpacking. Photograph dents, scuffs, and anything broken. Email photos to your landlord within 24 hours so you're not charged for damage you didn't cause.
Locate the breaker box, water shutoff, and gas shutoff
Know where these are before you need them. The water shutoff is usually under the sink or in a utility closet. The breaker box is often in a hallway or laundry area.
Test all locks and get extra keys made
Test the front door lock, deadbolt, mailbox key, and any storage or parking access. Make copies of anything you'll need to give to a partner, family member, or dog walker.
Set up your intercom phone number← BuzzBot handles this
Your building's intercom system needs a phone number on file for your unit. Most people give their cell — but that means every delivery and visitor calls you directly. Set up a BuzzBot number instead and your intercom will auto-buzz expected deliveries without interrupting you.
Setup guideTransfer utilities to your name
Contact electric, gas, and water providers to transfer service. Some landlords handle water; confirm what's your responsibility. Call or set up online accounts before your move-in date.
Get these done before the initial chaos fades and they slip through the cracks.
Set up internet service
Schedule installation early — ISP appointment windows can be days or weeks out. If you need internet immediately, a mobile hotspot or a neighbor's guest network can bridge the gap.
Forward your mail
Submit a change of address at USPS.com. This redirects first-class mail for 12 months and sends you a Mover's Guide with local coupons. Do this as soon as you know your new address.
Update your address with key accounts
Bank, credit cards, employer, insurance, subscriptions, Amazon, and any delivery services. The USPS forward catches most mail, but it's not reliable for every sender.
Register your vehicles and update your driver's license
Most states require updating your license address within 30–60 days of moving. Vehicle registration timelines vary. Check your state's DMV website for deadlines.
Test your smoke and CO detectors
Press the test button on each detector. Replace batteries if they chirp. If a detector is missing or broken, notify your landlord in writing — you're legally entitled to working detectors.
Learn trash and recycling schedules
Find out which days are pickup days, where bins are stored, and what your building's recycling rules are. Missing the schedule in week one means trash piles up fast.
Figure out package delivery logistics← BuzzBot handles this
Where do packages go when you're not home? Does your building have a package room, lockers, or a doorperson? If deliveries come through the front intercom, this is exactly what BuzzBot handles automatically.
Setup guideSlower burn tasks that matter but won't cause immediate problems if you take a few weeks.
Update voter registration
If you've moved across county or state lines, re-register to vote. Deadlines vary by state — some require 30 days before an election.
Get renter's insurance
Most landlords require it; all renters should have it. A policy typically costs $15–$30/month and covers your belongings and personal liability. Get a quote from your car insurance provider first — bundling usually gets a discount.
Find your nearest urgent care, pharmacy, and grocery store
This sounds obvious but is easy to skip. Bookmark them in Maps before you need them at 11 PM on a Tuesday.
Set up emergency contacts with building management
Provide an emergency contact number to your building. Some buildings also want a key or entry code for emergencies; clarify the policy.
Test your BuzzBot intercom setup← BuzzBot handles this
If you set up BuzzBot when you first moved in, have a friend buzz your unit from the entrance to confirm everything is working. The first successful auto-buzz will make you very glad you set it up.
Setup guideIntroduce yourself to neighbors
Meeting one or two neighbors right away makes everything easier: package pickups when you're out, noise issues handled person-to-person, and someone to call in an emergency.
The intercom setup most people skip
Most people give their personal cell number to their building manager and move on. That works, but it means every delivery and visitor calls your real phone until you answer. Set up BuzzBot instead — it takes 2 minutes and means you never have to manually buzz in a UPS delivery again.