On D-day, take a photo of the water and electricity numbers. It prevents paying for the previous tenant's showers.

Locate the Shut-off Valves

Knowing where to cut off water and gas in case of trouble is the tip that can save your deposit (and your apartment).

First Apartment: The Complete Checklist 2026

It's the big day. You finally have the keys in hand, the smell of fresh paint (or old parquet) hits your nose, and you're already visualizing the sofa's spot. But before ordering a pizza and sitting on the floor to celebrate amidst the boxes, there's a slightly less fun reality to face: contracts, meters, and the inventory of teaspoons.

Moving into your first "home" is often 20% regained freedom and 80% logistics. Don't panic! At Homebro, we've all been there. To save you the stress of the first night without electricity or toilet paper, we've crafted the perfect tenant's survival checklist.

Summary

D-7: Contracts to Tame

Before even carrying the first box, make sure these three points are checked. Otherwise, it's a cold shower (literally).

Home Insurance
It's mandatory. Without a certificate, your landlord can legally refuse you the keys. Get an online contract, it takes 5 minutes and is active immediately.
Electricity and Gas
Call a supplier 10 days before. Give them the name of the previous tenant or the PDL/PCE number on the meter to avoid everything being cut off upon your arrival.
Internet Box
If you work or study from home, it's the priority. Connection times can be long, so don't wait.

Inventory: Don't Sign Blindly!

It's the most important document of your tenant life. Take photos of every small defect (scratches on the floor, marks on the walls, sticking locks). If you see something 2 days after moving in, report it immediately by email to your landlord via Homebro to keep a dated record and avoid losing your deposit when leaving.

The "Starter Pack" to Avoid Struggling

The Kitchen

A pack of water, coffee, scissors, garbage bags, a sponge and... toilet paper.

The Toolbox

A screwdriver, a hammer, adhesive tape and especially a tape measure to check if your furniture really fits.

Day 1 Essentials

A power strip, your phone chargers, a spare bulb and clean sheets.

Plan Ahead for Your Wallet

The first month always costs more. Here are the expenses to anticipate to avoid ending up in the red by the 15th of the month:

Expense Item	When to Pay?	Estimate
Security Deposit	Upon lease signing	1 month (unfurnished) or 2 (furnished)
First Rent	On move-in day	Pro rata of remaining days
Agency Fees	Upon move-in	If not renting directly from an individual
Meter Activation	On the 1st bill	Around €20-30 per energy

Simplify Your Life with Homebro

Once settled, you don't want to dig through your boxes to find your paper lease. By using the Homebro app with your landlord, everything is centralized: your contract, your receipts, and even your repair requests if the tap leaks. It's the essential tool to keep your first apartment a pure pleasure, not an administrative chore.