From moving in, looking after your new home and reporting emergencies, to learning about defects, sustainable DIY and lawn care, you'll find lots of useful information below to help you settle in quickly and easily.
Moving in
We try to make sure your home is ready for you to move into and that everything is in good working order. We’ll already have checked to see if anything needs repairing (we call these defects in a new home) but sometimes new homes have defects which only get picked up when someone starts living there.
When you move in, you should check everything works and is fitted properly, including the following.
- Baths, basins and toilets
- Glass (windows, mirrors and shower screens)
- Fireplace surrounds
- Kitchen fittings and appliances
- Wall tiling
- Carpets, floor tiling and laminated flooring
Every new home is individually built and hand-crafted, so it’s normal to find small differences in the appearance of various elements.
You should also check that:
- you’ve been given the correct keys for all locks, and that your windows and doors open, close and lock properly
- all services are connected and in working order.
Emergencies in your home
Find out what to do and who to call in the event of an emergency in your home; such as a burst mains water pipe, power cut, or if you smell gas.
Aftercare in your new-build home
Newly-built homes need time to settle and dry out, so you may have some minor issues in the first year. More major faults with the build or quality are known as defects. Find out more about both.
Looking after your new home
Today’s new homes include lots of improvements in construction but your new home still needs to be run gently for the first few months. Find out how to look after your new home.
Sustainable DIY and responsible purchasing
Should you wish to carry out any home improvements or purchase items for your home, please consider the environmental impact.
Health and Safety on a new-build site
Find out more about living on a new-build site whether you're inside your home, outside, or travelling round the site.
Caring for a new lawn
If you’ve moved into a new home with a garden (or just laid a new lawn in an older home), here are some do’s and dont's to looking after the turf while your lawn establishes itself.