The first week in a new furnished rental is about locking in the legal paperwork, checking the property matches what you agreed to, and settling in without any nasty surprises later — here's the order that actually matters.
Complete Your Condition Report Immediately
Before you do anything else, complete and sign your property condition report — this document is the single most important piece of paperwork in your entire tenancy, because it's what your bond refund gets measured against when you eventually move out. Walk through every room and note the state of walls, floors, and furnishings, checking for any discrepancies against what the landlord or agent has recorded. Take dated photos of every room, including furniture, appliances, and any existing marks or damage, and send copies to your landlord or agent as your own backup record. If you spot anything wrong with the report, note it directly on the form and raise it before signing off, rather than assuming it will be sorted out later.
Check the Furniture and Appliances Actually Work
Since you're in a furnished property, your condition report should also cover every piece of furniture and appliance included in the agreement, not just the walls and floors. Test major appliances (oven, cooktop, fridge, washing machine, air conditioning) within the first few days so any faults are reported early, while it's still clearly a pre-existing issue rather than something that happened on your watch. Check power points and switches throughout the property, and take rough measurements of rooms if you're planning to bring in any of your own items.
Read Your Tenancy Agreement Properly
It's easy to skim a lease before signing, but the first week is the time to actually sit down and read the agreement in full, so you know exactly what's expected of you and what you're entitled to. Pay attention to clauses covering rent payment methods and due dates, bond amount, and any special conditions specific to the property.
Sort Out Insurance
Your landlord's building insurance does not cover your personal belongings — furniture provided by the landlord is their responsibility, but your own possessions inside the property are not automatically insured. Getting contents insurance sorted in the first week protects you against loss or damage from theft, fire, or water damage while you're settling in.
Locate Key Safety Features
Get to know the practical side of your new home early: locate the fuse box or switchboard, and the water and gas shut-off valves, so you're not searching for them in an emergency. Test smoke alarms to confirm they're working — Australian states require smoke alarms to be installed and properly maintained in rental properties, and tenants should report any that appear faulty to their landlord or agent immediately. Familiarise yourself with the building's emergency exits if you're in an apartment complex, and know your general evacuation options.
Connect Utilities and Services
If gas, electricity, or internet connections aren't already included in your agreement, arrange these as early in the week as possible, since some providers can take several days to activate a service. Confirm with your landlord or agent exactly which utilities are included in rent (common in furnished and short-stay properties) versus which you need to set up yourself.
Update Your Address
Update your address with the essentials early: your bank, Medicare, vehicle registration, and any government agencies you deal with regularly. If you're expecting mail at your old address, arrange redirection so nothing important goes missing during the transition.
Keep Documentation of Everything
Throughout the first week, keep a simple written or photo record of anything you report to your landlord or agent — a leaking tap, a faulty appliance, a mark on a wall you didn't cause. This isn't about anticipating problems; it's simply good practice, and it protects you the same way the condition report does if a question ever comes up later about the property's condition.
Settle In Without the Stress
Once the paperwork and checks are done, the rest of the week is genuinely just about making the space feel liveable — arranging your own belongings around the existing furniture, stocking the kitchen with basics, and getting a feel for the neighbourhood. Since the property is already furnished, this stage tends to be far quicker than a traditional move, with most of the setup effort going into groceries, personal items, and settling routines rather than furniture assembly.
A Simple First-Week Checklist
Complete and sign the condition report, with your own photos as backup
Test all furniture and appliances included in the property
Read the full tenancy agreement, not just the summary
Arrange contents insurance
Locate the fuse box, water shut-off, and test smoke alarms
Connect or confirm utilities and internet
Update your address with key institutions
Keep a written record of anything you report to your landlord or agent
Where EzyFlats Fits In
EzyFlats properties are pre-screened and verified before they're listed, with real photographs only, so what tenants see before booking is what they get on move-in day — reducing the chances of surprises in that first-week condition check. Every stay is also backed by a clear written agreement covering the furniture and inclusions provided, which gives tenants a documented reference point to check against on arrival, rather than relying on memory or a verbal understanding of what was included.