30 specific maintenance and safety tasks to do when you buy a house: locks, shutoffs, alarms, filters, and the small fixes new owners overlook.
Key takeaways
- This is a 30-item punch list, not a narrative overview—each item is a single task you can check off in the first month.
- Five tasks belong in the first 48 hours: alarms, locks, shutoffs, HVAC filter, and confirming no active leaks.
- Reverse ceiling fans, flip the water heater to 120°F, and test every GFCI outlet—three commonly skipped items that cost nothing to fix.
- Rekeying locks runs about $50–$160 versus $60–$350 to fully replace them—see item 6 for the decision.
- Locate your water, gas, and electrical shutoffs before you need them in an emergency, not during one.
Buying a house comes with a maintenance to-do list most closing paperwork doesn’t mention. Here are 30 specific tasks—not a general overview, a punch list you can work through and check off—covering the safety, security, and small-fix items that matter in the first month of owning a house.
The 30 tasks
| # | Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Test every smoke alarm | The USFA recommends monthly testing; check now that they’re present and working |
| 2 | Check smoke alarm manufacture dates | Replace any alarm 10+ years from its manufacture date |
| 3 | Test every carbon monoxide alarm | Same monthly cadence; CO alarms typically need replacement every 5–7 years per manufacturer |
| 4 | Rekey or replace exterior locks | You don’t know how many keys exist for a home you didn’t build—see the full lock guide |
| 5 | Locate the main water shutoff | You want to find it before a pipe bursts, not during one—see the shutoff valve guide |
| 6 | Locate the gas shutoff | Usually at the meter; know it, don’t need to use it unless there’s a leak |
| 7 | Locate the electrical panel and label breakers | Confirm the main breaker and label any unlabeled circuits |
| 8 | Check the HVAC filter and note its size | Replace now if you don’t know its age |
| 9 | Set the water heater to 120°F | The Department of Energy’s Energy Saver guide recommends 120°F as the balance of scald safety and energy use |
| 10 | Run every faucet and check for leaks | Confirm supply lines and shutoffs under each sink work |
| 11 | Flush every toilet and check the shutoff valve | A stuck toilet shutoff is common in older homes |
| 12 | Test every GFCI outlet (kitchen, bath, garage, exterior) | Press “test,” confirm it trips and resets |
| 13 | Check every window and door for smooth operation | Sticking can signal settling or humidity issues worth watching |
| 14 | Change all exterior door locks’ batteries if smart locks are installed | A dead battery on a smart lock can lock you out |
| 15 | Reverse ceiling fans for the season | Counterclockwise pushes air down for cooling; clockwise for winter |
| 16 | Locate the sump pump (if present) and test it | Pour a bucket of water in the pit and confirm it activates |
| 17 | Check the dryer vent for airflow | Weak airflow or long cycle times signal a blocked vent |
| 18 | Inspect the attic for insulation, moisture, or pests | A quick flashlight check catches issues early |
| 19 | Check the crawlspace or basement for moisture | Efflorescence (white mineral crust) or a musty smell needs follow-up |
| 20 | Confirm exterior grading slopes away from the foundation | Water pooling at the foundation is a slow, expensive problem |
| 21 | Test the garage door opener’s auto-reverse safety feature | Place a 2x4 in the door’s path; it should reverse on contact |
| 22 | Locate the irrigation system shutoff (if present) | Prevents a stuck valve from flooding the yard |
| 23 | Check exterior caulk and weatherstripping | Gaps here are the cheapest energy leak to fix |
| 24 | Update your address with USPS, banks, and insurance | Not maintenance, but it protects mail and coverage continuity |
| 25 | Set up your homeowners insurance and confirm coverage start date | Verify the policy is active before, not after, move-in day |
| 26 | Photograph each room and major appliance | Start your home inventory before you unpack around everything |
| 27 | Find the age and model of the water heater | Check the manufacture date to estimate remaining life |
| 28 | Find the age and model of the HVAC system | Same logic—helps you budget for eventual replacement |
| 29 | Confirm mailbox lock and key (if a locking mailbox) | Mail theft is a real first-week risk in unfamiliar neighborhoods |
| 30 | Set a recurring maintenance calendar | Turns this list into a habit instead of a one-time scramble—see the month-by-month calendar |
When to call a professional
| Situation | Why it’s not DIY |
|---|---|
| Electrical panel interior needs inspection or unlabeled breakers you can’t safely trace | A licensed electrician should open and label the panel |
| Gas line, water heater gas valve, or a suspected leak | Your gas utility or a licensed plumber, not a homeowner fix |
| Roof or gutter areas beyond a stable low ladder | A roofing contractor—falls are the most common home-maintenance injury |
| Foundation cracks or grading issues that look significant | A foundation specialist or structural engineer for an evaluation |
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between this list and a general new-homeowner checklist?
This is a fast, numbered punch list focused specifically on maintenance and safety tasks—30 concrete items you can check off. The general new-homeowner checklist is a narrative overview of the whole first year, including budgeting, paperwork, and links to deeper guides on each topic.
How many of these 30 tasks need a professional?
About four or five of the thirty—anything involving the electrical panel’s interior, gas line work, roof access beyond a stable ladder, or sealed HVAC components. The rest are homeowner-level: testing, visual checks, filter changes, and simple adjustments.
How long should it take to get through all 30 items?
Most homeowners can knock out the first-week items (alarms, locks, shutoffs, leak check) in a single afternoon. The full 30-item list, spread across the first month at a relaxed pace, is realistic without treating it as a second job.
Do I need to do these in order?
No, but the first five—smoke/CO alarms, locks, shutoff locations, HVAC filter, and a leak check—matter most for safety and should come first. The remaining 25 can be done in any order based on what your specific house needs.