First flat checklist UK: from viewing to your first month

A good first flat checklist UK renters can rely on covers five stages: what to check at the viewing, the paperwork to get before and after you sign, what to do on move-in day, the bills and accounts to set up in the first week, and the things you'll actually need to buy. Most first-flat lists stop at kettles and cushions. The bits that cause trouble later are the deposit, the meter readings, the council tax and the date your rent leaves your account, so those are here too.

Work through it in order and tick things off as you go. If you're sharing the jobs with a flatmate, put a name next to each one.

At the viewing: what to look at properly

A viewing goes quickly, and it's easy to fall for the light in the living room and miss the damp in the bathroom. Take your time and take photos.

• Damp and mould. Look at window frames, ceiling corners, behind furniture and inside wardrobes. A musty smell is a clue.
• Water pressure and hot water. Run the shower and the kitchen tap.
• Heating. Ask what type it is and whether it's gas, electric or something else. It makes a real difference to your bills.
• Windows and locks. Do they open, close and lock properly?
• Phone signal and broadband. Check your signal in each room, and ask what broadband the building can get.
• Storage. Where will your bike, your suitcase and your laundry go?
• Appliances. Which ones come with the flat, and do they work?
• Noise. If you can, walk past in the evening as well.

Questions to ask the landlord or agent

1. What's included in the rent, and which bills will I pay myself?
2. How much is the deposit, and which scheme will it be protected in?
3. What's the council tax band?
4. When is rent due, and how do you want it paid?
5. Who do I contact for repairs, and how quickly do they usually respond?
6. Can I see the gas safety record?

The paperwork: what to get and keep

Before you sign anything, read the whole tenancy agreement, not just the first page. Note the rent, the due date, the notice rules and what you're responsible for. If anything isn't clear, ask before you sign. For advice on your rights as a renter, a local advice service can help.

Keep each of these somewhere you can find them:

• The signed tenancy agreement, with the start date.
• Deposit protection details. In England and Wales, if you pay a deposit on a standard private tenancy, the landlord or agent must put it in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. Check which scheme it's in, so you know where to go at the end.
• The gas safety record. In England, your landlord must give you a copy of the gas safety check record before you move in, or within 28 days of the check.
• The inventory, which lists the condition of everything in the flat.
• Receipts for your deposit and first month's rent.
• Contact details for the landlord or agent, and for emergency repairs.

Tenancy rules in England changed in 2026, and the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are different again, so check the current guidance on GOV.UK (or your nation's official renting pages) for your own tenancy.

Move-in day

Move-in day is when you protect your deposit, so slow down for the first hour.

1. Go through the inventory room by room. Note anything that's wrong or missing, and send your comments to the landlord or agent in writing.
2. Photograph everything: walls, carpets, the oven, the bathroom, any marks or damage. Keep the photos with the date on.
3. Read the meters. Photograph the gas and electricity meters (and water, if there's one) before you use anything.
4. Find the stopcock, fuse box and boiler, and check how to turn things off in an emergency.
5. Test the smoke alarms. In England, your landlord must provide a smoke alarm on each storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance such as a wood burner.
6. Check the keys work, including any window locks and post box.

The first week: bills and accounts to set up

Unless the rent includes them, these will be yours. For the detail on each one and how to budget for them, the guide on what bills you pay when renting goes further.

• Gas and electricity. Find out who supplies the flat, give them your move-in readings and set up an account in your name.
• Water. Set up an account with the water company for your area.
• Council tax. Tell the council you've moved in. If you live on your own, you can usually get a 25% single person discount, but you need to apply for it. If everyone living in the home is a full-time student, it's usually exempt.
• TV Licence. You need one to watch or record live TV on any channel, or to use BBC iPlayer, on any device.
• Broadband. Book it as early as you can, as installation can take a while.
• Contents insurance. This covers your own belongings. Decide whether you want it, and compare a few policies if you do.
• Address changes. Update your bank, employer, the DVLA if you drive, and the electoral register. The guide on who to tell when you move house has the full list.
• A GP. Register with a surgery near your new flat. You don't need ID or proof of address to do it.

First flat checklist UK: the things you'll actually need to buy

Furnished flats vary a lot, so check the inventory before you buy. This is the first-week list, not the dream flat list.

Kitchen

• a pan, a frying pan and a baking tray
• a sharp knife, chopping board, wooden spoon and a tin opener
• plates, bowls, mugs, glasses and cutlery
• tea towels, washing-up liquid and a sponge
• bin bags and food storage tubs

Bathroom and cleaning

• loo roll, hand soap and a towel or two
• a toilet brush, plunger and bathroom cleaner
• a mop or a vacuum, depending on the floors
• multi-surface spray and cloths

Bedroom and the rest

• bedding, pillows and a mattress protector
• hangers and a laundry basket
• extension leads and spare light bulbs
• a basic toolkit, a torch and a first aid kit

Buy the rest over the first month, once you know how you use the space.

Your first month: a simple money routine

The first month is when rent day, payday and a pile of new direct debits all collide. A short routine stops it getting away from you.

• Write down every bill with who it's with, the amount, the date and how often it repeats.
• Line up the dates. If rent goes out before you're paid, ask whether the date can move, or keep a buffer in your account.
• Add it all up. Rent plus every bill is your real monthly cost of living there. Knowing that number makes everything else easier.
• Check your statements once a week for the first month. New accounts sometimes start with an estimated bill.
• Note the end dates of any broadband deal and any key dates in your tenancy agreement.

If money feels tight, MoneyHelper has free, impartial guidance on budgeting and dealing with bills.

How mylife/ helps with a first flat

mylife/ keeps a first home's admin together: your tenancy dates in the home ledger, and each bill with who it's with, the amount, the due date and how often it repeats. A monthly total shows what you're really paying, and you get a nudge before anything is due. You can also keep a shared shopping list for the flat. See how mylife/ works, or try mylife/ free for 3 days.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for my first flat?

Start with the essentials for the first week: bedding, a towel, basic kitchen kit, cleaning things and a toolkit. Then sort the paperwork, the bills and your address changes. Check the inventory before you buy, as a furnished flat may already have more than you expect.

How much deposit will I have to pay?

It depends on the landlord and the rent, so ask before you apply and check the current rules on GOV.UK. Whatever you pay, in England and Wales it should be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. Keep the details safe for when you move out.

Do I have to pay council tax in my first flat?

Usually, yes, if you're 18 or over and not exempt. If you live alone you can usually get a 25% single person discount, and homes where everyone is a full-time student are usually exempt, but you need to apply. Ask your council for your band and payment dates.

What should I check before signing a tenancy agreement?

Check the rent, when it's due, what's included, the deposit and where it'll be protected, and who handles repairs. Read the whole agreement and ask about anything you don't understand. Keep a copy once it's signed.