Feeling Safe In Your New Home
How do you overcome those first night nerves in your new property? Make sure your new home is as safe and secure as possible. Here are a few tips to alleviate some of those nerves.
We've put together 5 headlines for your to review when moving into your new home, just a few simple steps to allow you to both enjoy your new home and more importantly feel safe in your new surroundings.
#2 Security During Your Home Move
#3 On Arrival At Your New Home
#4 The First Night In Your New Home
“Try to resist the temptation of posting all your worldly possessions and your short term chaos all over the internet via your socials. Until such time as you feel safe and secure in your new surroundings, then feel free to post away”
Online Safety
As tempting as it might be to pose in front of your new property, depending on your security settings you could be giving people an uncomfortable amount of information.
The same goes for using check-ins or location markers. Just as it’s unwise to post online that you’re on holiday and away from your property, letting people know where you’re moving means someone can take advantage of the chaos of the move. So until you are confident with your surroundings and more importantly you feel safe and secure, just hold off from notifying the world where you are.
Security During Your Home Move
Moving day can be well organised and on a strict schedule, but it’s often the case that security can be compromised. Whether that’s boxes being left outside the property, back doors being left open whilst movers are lifting heavy items to the van, or leaving items in your car overnight before the move – there are moments opportunists canand more often than not will take advantage of, if given the opportunity.
In many ways, knowing your removal company before they arrive, and taking note of how many movers there are and if they’re wearing a uniform, will make it easier to identify anyone hanging around who shouldn’t be there.
Ensuring a parking permit is available or clearing the entrance to your property means that the van will be closer to the house and in sight at all times. Even see if traffic cones can be used to mark out specific areas.
Any particularly valuable, delicate or sentimental items, like jewellery or heirlooms may be best travelling with you to your new home. This is typically the case when using removals companies as they are normally restricted on moving certain items on your behalf.
See our previous Blog 'How to Pack and Move Items Your Removal Company Can’t' for further guidance on this.
Bear in mind that whilst most removals firms with offer a form of Goods in Transit insurance, often if damage occurs and you did the packing yourself, the removals team will not be liable. Even if they are, the cover often has a limit per item, so if you’re transporting some high value items, it’s worth increasing the cover you have. Your removals team will probably be able to provide you with options. When leaving your old property, double check all doors and windows when you do a final check. Make sure you’ve forwarded your post to your new address. Royal Mail offer this as a service. Ensuring the people in your previous property don’t have access to post with your details on can cut down on identify fraud.
See our previous Blog 'Moving House: Your Change Of Address Checklist' for further guidance on this.
On Arrival At Your New Home
It’s both exciting and daunting arriving at your new property. You’ll probably want to get going with unloading the van, but it’s important to take the time to check all of the keys you’ve been given and where they connect to. Finding you can’t open your windows or get into certain rooms is not ideal! You may want to label some of the keys at the beginning so you know which is which. When it comes to security, most people call out a locksmith to change the locks immediately. Whilst some view this as an extra expense, it really depends on how concerned you are about security. The last owners will have endeavoured to collect all of the keys they’ve given to family, friends and neighbours over the years, but how can you be certain? If you are concerned about security, getting a brand new lock will put your mind at ease. When unloading the van, apply the same mentality as when you were packing up – try to limit the open doors and windows so you know which access points are being used by the team. Be aware of keeping the van in sight, and don’t leave any boxes on the street.
See our previous Blog 'What To Check When You Move Into Your New Home' for further guidance on this.
The First Night In Your New Home
Your first night in a new home can be a little nerve-racking. The house will make noises you’re not used to, or perhaps the surrounding sounds might keep you awake. Even silence can be surprising if you’re used to a more noisy area! Even if you lived alone in your last property, you may feel a little nervous on your first night as you acclimatise. Why not have a friend or family member stay the night with you, and celebrate your new home with dinner? You may even be able to rope them in for some unpacking too!
Assess Security Weaknesses
Your new property is going to have different access points and weaknesses to your old one.
It’s worth having a dedicated stroll around your property to consider any alternative points of entry.
Check the fencing around gardens, any side doors, back doors and have a look at what your property backs on to.
Nowadays the age of technology is allowing greater flexability for security, whether this is simply buying and installing your own security cameras or alarm systems OR maybe have a reputable alarm installation company to assess your new property and advise on security measures for you. In most cases there are many options now to allow you to feel safe and secure in your own home without ridiculous expense.