First-year homeowner maintenance checklist

Your first week

Make the home easier to understand before filling your calendar.

Gather the inspection report and closing documents.Make a short follow-up list of unresolved items. Give urgent repairs priority over routine upkeep.
Locate essential home controls.Record the main water shutoff and electrical panel locations. Ask a qualified professional to explain anything unfamiliar; locating a control is not an instruction to operate it.
Check smoke alarms.Use the test button as directed by the manufacturer. Note manufacture dates; USFA recommends replacing smoke alarms at 10 years. Ask your local fire department about placement or accessibility needs.
Start an appliance record.Write down model and serial numbers, purchase or installation dates, manual links, and where the receipts are stored. Leave unknown dates blank.
Save useful contacts.Keep your utility contact numbers, a plumber, and heating/cooling service information with your home records.

Set up a routine that fits the equipment you actually own.

Find the HVAC filter instructions.Record the correct size and type. Inspect it monthly; clean or replace it according to the equipment and filter instructions and its condition.
Look for visible plumbing leaks.Check accessible areas beneath sinks and around toilets and appliances for drips or moisture. Record problems and arrange repair.
Read the maintenance sections of your manuals.Add only the tasks that apply to your appliances and systems. Use manufacturer guidance for intervals.
Review warranty paperwork.Copy the stated coverage dates, covered parts, service contact, and any registration requirements. A reminder date is not proof of coverage.
Create a short maintenance calendar.Start with alarm tests, filter inspections, seasonal planning, and any service already due. Set dates you can realistically keep.

Use a repeatable check-in, then record what you did.

Test smoke alarms.Follow each alarm manufacturer's test procedure. Check carbon monoxide alarms on their own recommended schedule.
Inspect the HVAC filter.Check condition and record whether it needs cleaning or replacement under the manufacturer's instructions.
Check for new drips or moisture.Look at accessible plumbing and appliance connections. Arrange help for persistent leaks or unexplained dampness.
Record completed work.Save the actual date, a short note, and any receipt. Reschedule missed work deliberately rather than marking it done.

Make the next plan local to your home.

Plan heating and cooling service.ENERGY STAR recommends annual pre-season contractor check-ups: cooling before hot weather and heating before cold weather.
Review the outside of the home from the ground.Note visible drainage, gutter, or roof concerns for a qualified professional. Do not climb onto a roof to complete this list.
Prepare climate-specific systems.Follow local utility and manufacturer guidance for freeze protection, irrigation, storms, or other conditions that apply.
Review your records before the year ends.Check upcoming warranty dates, update service contacts, and export a backup of digital home records.

Safety and equipment guidance checked September 18, 2026. Organizational prompts are suggestions from HomeKeep.