First-Time Buyer's First Year: The Home Maintenance Checklist That Saves You Thousands
Buying your first home is exciting, but the responsibility does not end when you collect the keys. Unlike renting, there is no landlord or letting agent to call when a gutter overflows, a radiator stops working or a small leak appears under the sink.
The good news is that most expensive home repairs do not begin as major disasters. They often start with a loose tile, failed sealant, blocked gutter or small plumbing leak that goes unnoticed. A simple first-year maintenance plan helps you spot issues early, organise repairs and protect the value of your property.
This UK-focused checklist takes you through the first 12 months, including urgent move-in checks, seasonal tasks, routine inspections and guidance on when to book professional property maintenance services.
Important: Never attempt gas, complex electrical, structural or specialist damp work unless you have the appropriate qualifications. Use a qualified professional for safety-critical repairs.
Move-in day: complete these urgent checks first
Before unpacking every box, walk through the property and make a note of anything that could create an immediate safety or damage risk.
Your move-in day checklist
Locate and test the stopcock, fuse box, gas meter and boiler controls.
Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are present and working.
Look underneath sinks, around toilets and near appliances for active leaks.
Check ceilings, window reveals and external walls for damp patches or water staining.
Test taps, toilets, showers and radiators.
Check that external doors and accessible windows lock securely.
Photograph existing damage, stains, cracks and defects.
Record meter readings and keep copies of guarantees, manuals and certificates.
Find out when the boiler was last serviced.
Check loft access, visible pipework and insulation where it is safe to do so.
If there is an active leak, exposed wiring, flooding or a strong smell of gas, treat it as an emergency. Turn off the water or electricity only if it is safe, leave the property if necessary and contact the appropriate emergency service or qualified professional. If you smell gas in Great Britain, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Month 1: create your home maintenance file
During your first month, organise the information you will need throughout the year. Create a digital folder or notebook containing:
The property survey and completion documents
Boiler and appliance manuals
Warranty information
Electrical installation paperwork
Gas safety records, if available
Details of previous repairs
Photographs of the property’s condition
A list of trusted tradespeople and emergency contacts
Add a recurring reminder to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly. Check expiry dates on alarms and replace any that fail their test or appear outdated.
This is also the right time to make a snagging list. Include sticking doors, loose handles, cracked sealant, damaged skirting, small plaster holes, dripping taps and fittings that need securing. Grouping smaller jobs together can make local handyman services more efficient and reduce the temptation to ignore them.
Month 2: inspect plumbing, ventilation and moisture
Small water problems can quickly damage flooring, plaster, cabinets and timber. Spend 20 minutes checking:
Pipe joints beneath sinks
The area around the washing machine and dishwasher
Toilet bases and cistern connections
Bath and shower sealant
Radiator valves
Boiler pipework
Window frames and sills
Corners behind large furniture
Use extractor fans when cooking or showering, keep trickle vents open where appropriate and wipe condensation from windows. Persistent mould, bubbling paint, crumbling plaster or a musty smell needs more than a coat of paint. The underlying source of moisture should be identified first.
Read our guide to the signs your home needs professional property maintenance services if a leak or damp patch keeps returning.
Month 3: complete an exterior and drainage check
Your home’s exterior protects everything inside it. From ground level, inspect the roofline, brickwork, windows, doors, gutters and downpipes.
Look for:
Slipped or damaged roof tiles
Cracked or missing pointing
Gaps around windows and doors
Sagging or leaking gutters
Loose downpipes
Water pooling near external walls
Damaged fencing or gates
Vegetation touching walls or rooflines
Gutters should generally be cleared at least once a year and often twice, particularly after autumn leaf fall. Blocked gutters can overflow onto walls, windows and foundations, causing damp and deterioration.
Do not climb onto a roof or use an unstable ladder. Arrange a suitable professional if access is difficult or you suspect roof damage.
Month 4: review heating and energy efficiency
Before the coldest part of the year, check how efficiently your home is using energy.
Arrange an annual boiler service with a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Check boiler pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Bleed radiators if they are cold at the top.
Check that thermostats and heating controls work correctly.
Look for draughts around doors, windows and loft hatches.
Check that exposed pipes are properly insulated.
Make sure vents and radiators are not blocked by furniture.
You can verify gas engineers through the official Gas Safe Register. A general handyman should not service or alter a boiler, gas appliance, flue or gas pipework.
Month 5: deal with small repairs before they spread
By now, your snagging list will probably have grown. Review it and separate jobs into three categories:
Do now: leaks, unsafe fittings, security issues and anything getting worse.
Book soon: failed sealant, damaged flooring, loose fixtures and exterior defects.
Monitor: minor cosmetic marks that are stable and not linked to damp or movement.
Suitable handyman tasks may include adjusting internal doors, replacing handles, repairing small areas of plaster, resealing a bath, fitting shelves or making good after removing fixtures.
If cracks are widening, doors are suddenly sticking throughout the home or floors appear to slope, arrange a professional assessment rather than repeatedly patching the symptoms.
Month 6: carry out a mid-year safety review
At the halfway point, repeat the key checks from move-in day.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Check the stopcock turns and is accessible.
Inspect under-sink plumbing.
Look for mould behind furniture.
Test windows and external locks.
Check for new cracks, damp patches or peeling finishes.
Review your maintenance file and update service dates.
If you are planning alterations, check whether building regulations approval may be required. The GOV.UK guidance on Building Regulations approval is a useful starting point.
Months 7–8: use summer for preventative work
Summer is often the best time to complete jobs that are difficult during wet or cold weather.
Consider:
Replacing failed external sealant
Repairing pointing or minor render damage
Painting exposed woodwork
Cleaning or improving extractor fans
Trimming plants away from walls and gutters
Repairing fencing, gates and decking
Improving loft insulation or draught-proofing
Investigating any damp noticed during winter
Do not assume a dry surface means a damp problem has disappeared. If stains, mould or musty smells return, book a qualified assessment.
Month 9: prepare for autumn and winter
Before heavy rain and colder nights arrive, complete a seasonal reset:
Clear gutters and downpipes.
Check external drains and gullies.
Inspect rooflines from ground level.
Test heating controls.
Arrange any overdue boiler service.
Check pipe insulation in lofts, garages and external areas.
Replace worn door seals.
Confirm you know where the stopcock is.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms again.
This is one of the most valuable points in the year to book general building maintenance. Several small exterior jobs can often be assessed together before they become winter emergencies.
Months 10–11: monitor condensation, pipes and storm damage
During colder months, keep rooms ventilated and remove condensation from windows and frames. Pay particular attention to bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and corners behind wardrobes.
After periods of high wind or heavy rain, inspect the property for:
New ceiling or wall stains
Overflowing gutters
Loose roof tiles visible from the ground
Water pooling near walls
Damaged fences or external fixtures
Cracked or frozen pipework
If a pipe bursts, turn off the stopcock if safe, switch off nearby electrical equipment and contact a qualified plumber. Do not wait for a small leak to become an emergency.
Month 12: complete your annual review
At the end of the first year, review what you have learned about the property.
Record:
Boiler service date
Alarm test and replacement dates
Gutter cleaning dates
Repairs completed
Recurring issues
Areas requiring monitoring
Future improvement projects
Trusted professional contacts
Set reminders for the next 12 months. A maintenance calendar turns home care into manageable routine tasks rather than expensive surprises.
When should you book a professional?
Book property maintenance services or reliable local handyman services when several small, non-specialist jobs have accumulated or when a problem is beyond your tools and experience.
Seek a qualified specialist for:
Gas appliances or pipework
Significant electrical faults or new circuits
Structural cracks or alterations
Serious or recurring damp
Roof repairs requiring specialist access
Asbestos or hazardous materials
Work requiring certification or building control approval
Electrical work should be completed by a suitably qualified electrician. GOV.UK provides guidance on domestic electrical safety in Approved Document P.
For urgent situations involving flooding, a suspected gas leak, exposed live wiring, severe storm damage or loss of essential heating in vulnerable conditions, seek emergency home repairs immediately.
Your first-year home maintenance checklist
Every month
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Check for leaks and damp
Inspect boiler pressure according to the manual
Look for new cracks, peeling paint or mould
Add minor repairs to your snagging list
Every season
Clear gutters and check downpipes
Inspect rooflines and external walls
Check ventilation and extractor fans
Review draught-proofing and pipe insulation
Test heating and controls before cold weather
Once a year
Arrange a boiler service with a Gas Safe engineer
Replace alarm batteries where required
Review warranties and maintenance records
Complete an exterior inspection
Plan professional repairs before defects worsen
A little attention each month can prevent water damage, heating failures, unsafe electrics and costly structural deterioration. If your list is growing, visit Holmes Living Company Ltd or book online to discuss suitable property services.
For more advice on organising repairs, read our guide to what a local handyman can usually do.
The aim is not to spend every weekend maintaining your home. It is to notice small problems early, use the right professional when needed and protect the investment you have worked hard to make.
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