From keys to comfort: the definitive guide to setting up your new home

From your mortgage and Wi-Fi to your insurance and electricity: the experts at Roams explain what steps to take to get everything sorted before you move.

We at Monapart already spoke back then about how to set up electricity or gas in your new flat, but moving house is always much more than just sorting out your energy supply.

Before going in: the essential preparations

Comfort starts before you cross the threshold. To avoid surprises, please bear the following issues in mind. In this guide, prepared with the help of experts from Roams, we'll walk you through the steps to take to enjoy your new home with everything under control from day one.

First the numbers, then the emotions

Buying a home is, almost always, the most important financial decision of a lifetime. That is why Pablo Vega, Roams Finance expert, invites us to look at the figures with the same serenity with which we look, afterwards, at the finished living room.

Banks usually finance up to 80% of the property’s value. The remainder — 20% in savings, plus an additional 10–12% for taxes, notary fees, registration, valuation and administrative costs — should be sorted out in advance. If an estate agent is also involved, their commission – between 3–5 per cent – must also be factored in. All in all, a sensible estimate is around 30–35 per cent of the property’s price.

It is also worth asking whether the home will need renovating, and for how long it will be possible to sustain, in parallel, the current rent and the future mortgage.

Regarding the mortgage itself, three details make the difference between a smooth signing and one full of small print:

Home insurance: peace of mind can also be bought

«A home insurance policy is another essential. It not only protects your property, but also your peace of mind», they state David Salazar, insurance expert en Roams.

A water leak, a short circuit, a broken window: minor household incidents are more frequent than one might think, and sometimes aesthetic damage also weighs heavily on the pocket. Some insurance companies add services that are appreciated in day-to-day life — handyman assistance, emergency locksmith services, keyholding, coverage for theft or card fraud. Salazar advises looking beyond the price and paying attention to the coverages and compensation limits.

A legal nuance worth bearing in mind: with a mortgage, only fire insurance is compulsory, and it does not necessarily have to be taken out with the bank itself. It is also worth considering life insurance linked to the loan, especially if household income depends on two people.

Internet: may the disconnection last only as long as necessary

Moving in without mobile coverage can turn the first few days into an uncomfortable wait. Ana de la Torre, a telecoms expert at Roams, recommends planning ahead.

If the property has not had a previous installation, the operator usually gets in touch within 48 hours and activates the service in less than a week — up to ten days in rural areas. When fibre optic broadband is not available, a 4G/5G router, satellite or mobile data are reasonable alternatives in the meantime.

If an installation already existed, it is possible to request a transfer, although some companies apply charges or a new minimum term contract; sometimes it is even worth connecting a new line if there are no promotions to take advantage of. One detail to bear in mind: to keep the landline number, the transfer must take place within the same municipality. When changing province, there is the option of a fixed-mobile service, although not all operators offer it.

Energy: may the light arrive first

Before moving in, it is advisable to check that the electricity and gas are working properly. «For safety reasons, it is essential to make sure that the gas installation is in good condition,» points out Sergio Soto, an Energy expert at Roams.

If the property has been lived in recently, the utilities are likely still connected, and a change of account holder will suffice. If it is a new-build or has been empty for a long time, it may be necessary to apply for a new connection—a process taking 5 to 7 working days, with its associated costs.

In either case, it is advisable to have to hand your ID document, address, CUPS code and account number; for a new connection, you will also need the first occupancy licence, the Electrical Installation Certificate (or Electrical Bulletin) and the Individual Gas Receiving Installation Certificate.

Two further decisions complete the supply:

Moving day

A smooth relocation is also organised with small gestures:

• Take a final meter reading and save a photo, just in case.

• Confirm that insurance and utilities are already active.

• Have documents, keys, tools and chargers to hand.

• Prepare an emergency kit for the first 48 hours.

The first few days: turning on the comfort

Now installed, the time comes to fine-tune the details: review energy and internet tariffs, set up mortgage or rent payments, and install smoke detectors or some smart device to look after the house when no one is watching.

And finally (last but not least), well-being

A well-designed home is also lived in slowly. Tidying spaces so that they breathe, letting in a plant to purify the air, choosing warm lighting and natural fabrics, setting aside a corner for the routines that help you switch off: these are small gestures, but ultimately, they are the ones that turn a house into a home.