- Arrange contents insurance

- Check that all the doors and windows lock securely

- Check that the property has working smoke alarms

- Make sure you know how to contact your landlord in an emergency

- Take meter readings and register with electricity, gas and water companies. Click here for more information on paying bills

- Get the telephone re-connected in your name

- Register for council tax

- Get on the electoral register. Click here for details of how to go about this

- Inform people of your change of address. This should include: - your utility providers (gas, water, electricity) - your telephone company - your bank or building society - your credit card company - your insurers - the DVLA

- Redirect your post. You can set up automatic mail redirection to your new address on the Royal Mail website

- Register with a doctor and dentist

- Obtain a TV licence

- To find out about rubbish collection and recycling schemes in your neighbourhood click here.