Moving into a new home: the appliance & document checklist

Moving into a new home is the ideal moment to start your appliance and document records properly — while everything is fresh, the seller is still reachable, and you haven't yet forgotten what came with the property.

This guide covers what to request from the seller before completion, what to check on arrival, and how to set yourself up so that a warranty claim or a breakdown never catches you unprepared.

Before completion: what to ask the seller for

Your solicitor will handle the legal transfer, but there are practical documents you should request directly:

Appliance documents

• Manuals for every included appliance (boiler, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, extractor hood)
• Warranty cards and any manufacturer guarantee documents
• Proof of purchase for appliances that might still be under warranty
• Model and serial numbers if manuals aren't available

Building and compliance documents

• Boiler service history — when was it last serviced, and by whom? Request all service certificates.
• FENSA certificates for any replacement windows and doors fitted since 2002.
• Building Regulations certificates for any notifiable work (extensions, electrical work, new boiler installation).
• Guarantees for damp-proofing, roofing, timber treatment, underpinning — these are sometimes transferable to a new owner and can have significant remaining value.
• Planning permissions for any additions or alterations.

Not all sellers will have everything — but asking costs nothing and establishes what exists.

On arrival: the first-day checklist

Meters and utilities

• Photograph all meter readings immediately (gas, electricity, water) — this is your baseline for billing disputes.
• Note the locations of the gas emergency isolation valve, the stopcock (water main shut-off), and the consumer unit (fuse box).
• Check that the previous occupant has transferred utilities — if not, take over the accounts promptly to avoid billing gaps.

The boiler

• Locate it and note the make and model.
• Check the pressure gauge — normal cold pressure is usually marked on the dial or in the manual, typically around 1–1.5 bar.
• Run the heating and hot water and confirm both work.
• Find out when it was last serviced. If it's been more than a year, book a service promptly.

All included appliances

Run every included appliance through a basic test:

• Oven and hob: all rings and elements working.
• Dishwasher: run a cycle.
• Washing machine: run a short cycle.
• Fridge and freezer: confirm temperature controls work.
• Extractor hood: all speeds.

Note any issues immediately and raise them with your solicitor if significant — this is much easier before completion is completely settled.

Safety checks

• Test every smoke alarm. Replace batteries if any are low.
• If there's a CO detector, test it.
• Locate the fire extinguisher if one is included.
• Check any gas hob for the flame safety device — each burner should cut gas if the flame goes out (turn on, then hold the igniter for a few seconds).

Setting up appliance records from scratch

Move-in day is the best possible time to document everything — the seller may have details you'll never be able to get later, and the appliances are all accessible. For each included appliance, record:

Information	Where to find it
Make and model	Front panel or rating plate
Serial number	Rating plate (back, side, or inside door)
Installation date	Boiler: commissioning certificate or service history; others: approximate from age
Warranty status	Warranty card or manufacturer's website (register by model number)
Next service due	Boiler: from last service certificate; others: manufacturer recommendation
Manual location	Physical copy if received; or find it online — see where to find appliance manuals

See how to find any appliance's model and serial number if you're not sure where to look.

A note on warranties

Most manufacturer warranties don't automatically transfer when you buy a property — they're a relationship between the manufacturer and the original purchaser. Your Consumer Rights Act 2015 protections against the retailer also belong to the original buyer.

That said, some warranties explicitly do transfer — roofing guarantees and damp-proofing guarantees are often designed to be transferable precisely because they're relevant to future owners. Check each document. For the full detail, see transferring appliance warranties when you buy or sell a house.

How JustTaggit helps

After move-in, tag each appliance with a QR code and store all the information you've gathered against it. Scan the boiler code in six months and you'll see the last service date, the model number, and a reminder for the next one. Scan the washing machine code if it starts making a noise and pull up the manual. It takes about ten minutes to set up, and it pays off every time something needs fixing or claiming.

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Set up your home records properly, once. Tag your first appliance free →