Whether you're moving into a flat in London, Manchester, or anywhere else, a solid first flat checklist is essential. This guide covers everything you need — and warns you about what landlords often don't provide.
What's Usually Included in a Flat
In most furnished flats, expect:
- Bed frame (sometimes with mattress)
- Wardrobe
- Sofa
- Dining table + chairs
- Fridge/freezer + cooker
- Washing machine
In unfurnished flats, you get the appliances and that's it. Plan accordingly.
The Day-One First Flat Checklist
- Bedding (duvet, duvet cover, pillow, pillowcases, fitted sheet)
- Towels (bath + hand)
- Toilet roll
- Shower curtain (if shower-over-bath)
- Tea kettle (essential in the UK!)
- Mugs + tea + milk
- One pan, one pot
- Plate, bowl, cup, cutlery
- Washing-up liquid + sponge
- Bin bags
- Loo brush
Week-One First Flat Additions
- Iron + ironing board
- Hoover (vacuum)
- Cleaning spray + cloths
- Laundry detergent
- Drying rack (most UK flats don't have dryers)
- Hangers
- Hairdryer
- Extension lead
What Landlords Often DON'T Provide
These often catch new renters off-guard:
- Light bulbs (always check on move-in day)
- Loo brush + plunger
- Shower curtain
- Curtains or blinds (some only have rails)
- Bin (kitchen and bathroom)
- Cleaning supplies
- Bedding of any kind
- Cookware
Utility Setup Checklist
Don't forget the admin side:
- Council tax (register within 2 weeks)
- Electricity + gas (take meter readings on day one)
- Water (in some areas, you set this up)
- Broadband (book 2 weeks before you move)
- TV licence (if you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer)
- Contents insurance (£5–£15/month)
Smart Money Tips for Your First Flat
- Buy second-hand — Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, charity shops
- Visit IKEA, Wilko, Dunelm, B&M, Poundland for affordable basics
- Ask the previous tenant if they're selling anything
- Check the meter readings on move-in day to avoid being billed for someone else's usage
- Take photos of every room and any damage on move-in
The Mental Checklist
- Register with a local GP
- Update your address on your driving licence
- Update your bank, employer, and HMRC
- Find the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, and bin collection day
A first flat checklist isn't just about stuff — it's about setting up your life in a new place. Use our free interactive checklist to build your custom version.
UK-Specific Setup Tasks Most Lists Miss
Beyond the standard flat checklist, UK renters have admin tasks that are easy to overlook and expensive to skip:
- Tenancy deposit protection — your deposit must be in a government-backed scheme (TDS, MyDeposits, DPS) within 30 days of payment. Get the certificate in writing.
- Right to Rent check — landlord must verify your immigration status; keep a copy of what you provided
- Council tax registration — register with the local council within 14 days; students need exemption forms
- Electoral roll — register at your new address; affects credit score
- GP and NHS dentist — register quickly; many practices have waitlists
- TV Licence — required if you watch any live TV or BBC iPlayer (£169.50/year as of 2026)
- Update HMRC, DVLA, employer, bank, insurance with new address
Reading Meters on Move-In Day
This single 5-minute task can save you £100+:
- Find both meters — gas and electric. Often in a cupboard, under the stairs, or in an outdoor box.
- Photograph the readings with a timestamp visible (use your phone's camera, not a dedicated meter app)
- Photograph the meter serial number as well
- Email the photos to yourself and to the previous supplier within 24 hours
- Submit the readings to your new supplier when you set up your account
Without this, you can be billed for the previous tenant's usage and spend weeks disputing it.
Choosing a Tariff (Not as Complicated as It Looks)
UK energy is sold by suppliers competing on tariffs. Two key choices:
- Fixed vs. variable — fixed locks your unit rate for 12–24 months (predictable bills); variable moves with the market (potentially cheaper, potentially much worse).
- Dual fuel vs. separate — bundling gas + electric with one supplier usually saves £30–£60/year and gives you one bill.
Use Uswitch or MoneySavingExpert's Cheap Energy Club to compare in 5 minutes. Switch every 12 months — loyalty pricing is consistently worse.
What "Furnished" Actually Means in the UK
Furnished is not a standardized term. Always confirm in writing what's included before signing. Typical interpretations:
- Furnished: bed, wardrobe, sofa, dining table + chairs, fridge/freezer, oven, washing machine
- Part-furnished: appliances and major items, no soft furnishings
- Unfurnished: appliances only — sometimes not even those
If anything in the listing photos is unclear, ask the agent to confirm by email what's staying.
Damp, Mould, and Condensation: Day-One Checks
UK flats — especially older buildings and ground-floor units — are prone to damp issues that cause health problems and can void your deposit:
- Look for staining or peeling at the top of walls, around windows, and behind furniture
- Test extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom
- Open trickle vents on windows (small slots at the top of the frame)
- Run a dehumidifier in problematic rooms — even a £30 small one helps
- Don't dry clothes on radiators — main cause of condensation; use a drying rack near a vented window
Document any existing damp on day one with photographs and written notice to the landlord.
Where to Buy Cheap in the UK
- IKEA, Wilko, Dunelm, B&M, Argos, Wayfair UK — affordable basics
- Marks & Spencer Outlet, John Lewis Clearance — quality basics at discount
- Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Vinted — secondhand
- Charity shops — particularly for kitchenware, books, decor
- Freecycle, Olio — free items being given away locally
- Ikea Family card — free, gets price drops on many items
Council Tax Bands and Reductions
Council tax depends on your property band, not your income, but you may qualify for reductions:
- Single person discount — 25% off if you live alone
- Full-time student exemption — 100% off if all occupants are students
- Low income / Universal Credit — varies by council
- Disability reduction — varies by council
Apply directly with your local council; reductions are not automatic and can be backdated.
Choosing a Broadband Provider in the UK
Internet is one of the most-overpaid bills for new UK renters. A quick guide:
- Compare on Uswitch or MoneySavingExpert — same package, often £10–£15/month cheaper than going direct
- Avoid 24-month contracts unless the deal is significantly better — life changes fast at this stage
- Fibre 67 Mbps is enough for one or two people streaming and working from home
- Check Openreach availability at your address before signing — many providers (Sky, BT, TalkTalk, Vodafone) use the same Openreach lines, but Virgin Media uses its own network and is often the only true gigabit option
- Switching is free and easy at the end of your contract — never auto-renew
Typical good price for fibre broadband in 2026: £25–£32/month.
Understanding the Tenancy Types
UK tenancies vary, and the type affects your rights:
- Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST): standard for most rentals; usually 6–12 months
- Assured Tenancy: less common; longer-term protection
- Lodger agreement: if you're renting a room in the landlord's home — fewer protections
- Joint vs. sole tenancy: in a joint tenancy with flatmates, each person is liable for the full rent if others default
Read the agreement carefully and confirm which type you're signing. Citizens Advice has free tenancy reviews.
Inventory Reports: Why They Matter Before You Sign Anything
Most UK landlords provide an inventory report on move-in. Treat this seriously:
- Read it room-by-room with the report in hand
- Note any discrepancy in writing within 7 days (most inventory companies allow this)
- Take dated photos and video of every existing mark or stain
- Get the landlord or agent to sign any amendments
- Keep a copy of the final agreed report
This is your single best protection against deposit deductions at the end of the tenancy.
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Want to go deeper? Read our guide on The Ultimate First Apartment Checklist: Everything You Actually Need for more tips.