First Apartment Checklist
Moving into your first apartment is exciting — until you realise you have no can opener, no toilet brush and no idea when the internet gets connected. This checklist covers what you’ll actually need room by room, plus the admin that is easy to forget, a move-in inspection sheet to protect your deposit and an Excel budget that shows what you still need to buy and what it will cost.
- Instant download
- Editable Word & Excel
- Print-ready PDF
- 7-day refund
9 files · PDF, DOCX, XLSX
First Apartment Checklist Pack
Printable room-by-room first apartment checklists, a moving-in admin checklist, a move-in inspection sheet and an Excel setup budget with totals.
- Kitchen checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Bathroom checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Bedroom checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- + 6 more
$5.00 USD, one-time 9 files · about $0.56 each
- Instant download
- 7-day refund
- Secure checkout by Stripe
7-day money-back guarantee. Full refund within 7 days of purchase, even after you download.
Free sample: First Apartment Kitchen (PDF, 57 KB)






First Apartment Checklist Pack
Printable room-by-room first apartment checklists, a moving-in admin checklist, a move-in inspection sheet and an Excel setup budget with totals.
- Kitchen checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Bathroom checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Bedroom checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Living room checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Cleaning checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Tools & safety checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Admin & moving in checklist (PDF/DOCX)
- Inspection sheet (DOCX/PDF)
- Budget (XLSX)
Formats: PDF, DOCX, XLSX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out before publishing.
$5.00 USD, one-time 9 files · about $0.56 each
- Instant download
- 7-day refund
- Secure checkout by Stripe
7-day money-back guarantee. Full refund within 7 days of purchase, even after you download.
Free sample: First Apartment Kitchen (PDF, 57 KB)
Full refund within 7 days — see the refund policy and license.
Free printables
Single sheets you can print right now, no sign-up. The full pack adds every sheet in one download plus the editable files.
Printable First Apartment Kitchen Checklist1 page · free PDF
First Apartment Bathroom Checklist1 page · free PDF
Printable First Apartment Bedroom Checklist1 page · free PDF
Printable Living Room Checklist1 page · free PDF
Printable First Apartment Cleaning Checklist1 page · free PDF
Printable First Apartment Tools and Safety Checklist1 page · free PDF
First Apartment Admin and Moving In Checklist1 page · free PDF
Printable Move-In Inspection Sheet1 page · free PDFKitchen checklist
- Pots: small and large saucepan
- Frying pan / skillet
- Baking tray and ovenproof dish
- Chef’s knife and paring knife
- Chopping board
- Wooden spoon, spatula, tongs, ladle
- Can opener and peeler
- Colander / strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Plates, bowls, mugs and glasses (4 each)
- Cutlery set
- Food storage containers
- Kettle or coffee maker
- Oven mitts and tea towels
- Dish soap, sponge and drying rack
- Bin and bin bags
- Aluminium foil, cling film, baking paper
Bathroom checklist
- Shower curtain and rings (if needed)
- Bath mat
- Towels: 2 bath, 2 hand, washcloths
- Toilet brush and plunger
- Toilet paper
- Small bin
- Soap dispenser
- First aid kit
- Basic medicines and plasters
- Shelf or caddy for toiletries
Bedroom checklist
- Mattress and bed frame
- Mattress protector
- Sheets (2 sets) and pillowcases
- Duvet or comforter
- Pillows
- Hangers
- Laundry basket
- Bedside lamp
- Curtains or blinds
- Alarm clock or phone stand
Living room checklist
- Sofa or chairs
- Coffee table or side table
- Lamp
- Extension leads / power strips
- Rug (optional)
- Wi-Fi router (from provider)
Cleaning checklist
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Microfibre cloths
- Broom and dustpan
- Mop and bucket or vacuum
- Rubber gloves
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwasher tablets (if you have one)
Tools & safety checklist
- Screwdriver set
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Picture hooks / removable hooks
- Torch / flashlight
- Batteries
- Light bulbs
- Smoke and CO alarm check
- Fire extinguisher (small)
- Duct tape and scissors
Admin & moving in checklist
- Read and keep a copy of the lease
- Pay deposit and first rent; get receipts
- Renter’s insurance
- Set up electricity, gas, water (if applicable)
- Set up internet
- Update your address (bank, employer, post)
- Move-in inspection with photos
- Find the water shut-off and fuse box
- Get spare keys cut
- Note landlord / manager contact for repairs
Buy now, later or never?
| Buy before move-in | Buy in the first month | Wait and see |
|---|---|---|
| Bedding and towels | Extra storage | Decorative items |
| Toilet paper, soap, cleaning basics | Rug and curtains upgrade | Specialist kitchen gadgets |
| A pan, a pot, a knife, plates and cutlery | Sofa (if not ready day one) | A second set of dishes |
| Bin bags and a first aid kit | Tools you find you need | Furniture for rooms you rarely use |
Living in the space for a few weeks shows what you really need. Hand-me-downs, charity shops and local marketplace listings are good sources for furniture and kitchen basics.
Move-in inspection
- Walk through every room with the landlord or agent if possible.
- Photograph walls, floors, carpets, appliances, windows and fixtures, with dates.
- Test taps, toilet, shower, heating, lights, sockets, locks and smoke alarms.
- Note any damage on the inspection sheet and get it signed or emailed to the landlord.
- Keep a copy — it helps you get your deposit back when you move out.
First apartment budget
Setting up a home from scratch adds up quickly even with second-hand finds. The Excel budget lists every item from the checklist with a column for what you already have, what you need, an estimated price and the total still to buy, so you can see the full cost and spread purchases over the first few months. Don’t forget one-off costs: deposit, first month’s rent, moving van, connection fees and renter’s insurance.
Worked example
| Category | Items still needed | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | 12 | $180 |
| Bathroom | 6 | $75 |
| Bedroom | 5 | $320 |
| Cleaning | 8 | $60 |
| Tools & safety | 6 | $55 |
| Total | 37 | $690 |
These are example figures for someone who already has a bed frame and sofa from family; your own totals will depend on what you have and where you shop. The spreadsheet adds them up for you.
Formats and printing
Checklists print on US Letter and A4 as PDFs and editable Word files; the budget is an Excel workbook that also opens in Google Sheets.
AI-assisted content
Checklists were drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before publishing. Example costs are illustrations, not price data.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for my first apartment?
Kitchen basics, bedding and towels, cleaning supplies, a few tools and safety items — see the room-by-room list.
What should I buy first?
Bedding, toilet paper, cleaning basics, a pan, plates and cutlery, and bin bags.
How do I protect my deposit?
Do a move-in inspection with dated photos and keep a signed copy.
Is there a budget sheet?
Yes, an Excel budget that totals what you still need to buy.
Can I edit the checklist?
Yes, Word and Excel versions are included.
Is this a subscription?
No, it is a one-time download.
