First-Time Homeowner Maintenance Checklist: Your First 90 Days
Getting the keys is the easy part. The harder part is learning the little details no one hands you in a single folder: where the water shuts off, which filter fits the furnace, when the roof was last repaired, and whether the dryer vent was ever cleaned. You do not need to learn everything the first weekend. You need a starting system and a sensible order.
This checklist is designed for U.S. homeowners moving into a single-family house, townhome, or condo. Adapt it to your property, local climate, inspection report, HOA responsibilities, and equipment manuals. For hazardous conditions, stop and contact a qualified professional.
Before move-in or during your first weekend: learn the safety basics
Find and label critical shutoffs. Locate the main water shutoff, electrical panel, and any accessible appliance shutoff valves. Find out whether the house has natural gas or propane and learn the utility's emergency instructions. Do not operate gas equipment or valves you do not understand. Take a photo of the locations and share them with adults in the household. Keep access clear.
Check your alarms. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms using the manufacturer's instructions. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends monthly smoke-alarm testing and replacing conventional smoke alarms after 10 years. Check the installation date or date of manufacture, and follow device-specific replacement guidance. Install or repair missing alarms in accordance with local requirements; CO alarms are especially important around fuel-burning equipment and attached garages. Make a family escape plan.
Review the inspection report as a task list. Separate observations into three groups: urgent safety or water-intrusion concerns; repairs that need estimates; and routine maintenance. An inspection report is a snapshot, not a guarantee that every condition was found. If it flags damaged wiring, possible gas leaks, active water intrusion, or structural concerns, involve an appropriate licensed specialist.
Look for active water problems. Check under sinks, around toilets, near water heaters, behind accessible appliances, and at basement or crawlspace edges. Look for puddles, staining, swelling, musty smells, or a water meter that moves when nobody is using water. The EPA's WaterSense leak guidance explains simple checks that can catch otherwise invisible waste. For detailed leak detection, read our guide on how to find hidden water leaks.
Days 1–30: make a basic home record
Create one record for each major system and appliance, even when some fields are unknown. Prioritize the furnace or heat pump, air conditioner, water heater, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer, roof, and any sump pump.
Record these details as you find them:
| What to record | Why you'll want it later |
|---|---|
| Make, model, and serial number | Finding exact manuals, filters, parts, and service information |
| Installation or approximate purchase year | Planning repairs and eventual replacement |
| Filter size or consumables | Buying the correct replacement the next time |
| Warranty and receipt | Checking coverage and purchase dates |
| Previous service company | Finding someone familiar with your equipment |
| Last service date and issue | Avoiding repeated troubleshooting |
Start with photographs of equipment labels and receipts rather than trying to type everything from memory. The FTC recommends keeping the product warranty and receipt together, because proof of purchase may matter for a claim. See our guide on how to organize home repairs and warranties for a practical filing workflow.
Also collect available closing documents, permits, inspection reports, contractor records, and manufacturer manuals. Store important originals securely and keep digital backups with sensible access controls. Don't expose door codes, security credentials, or account passwords in publicly shared files.
Days 30–60: create your maintenance schedule
Turn recurring work into reminders based on the home you actually own, not a universal checklist.
- HVAC filters: Check monthly when the system is in heavy use. ENERGY STAR recommends changing dirty filters and, for typical systems, at least every three months; follow your equipment's requirements for filter type and interval. See our HVAC maintenance guide.
- Smoke and CO alarms: Test monthly. Add dates for battery changes and entire-unit replacement according to the manufacturer.
- Heating and cooling: Schedule professional maintenance ahead of the season of use. ENERGY STAR recommends annual equipment tune-ups; some system types need different service plans.
- Dryer: Clean the lint screen before each load; arrange for vent cleaning according to the appliance instructions and conditions, commonly at least annually. See our dryer vent cleaning guide.
- Gutters and drainage: Inspect from a safe location around spring and fall and after major storms, adjusting for trees and weather. Follow our gutter cleaning schedule.
- Leaks and moisture: Check obvious plumbing trouble spots periodically and after extreme weather.
Your personalized schedule may also need septic service, well-water testing, radon follow-up, sump pump checks, pool maintenance, irrigation winterization, or chimney service. No single checklist can know which equipment your home has.
Days 60–90: plan your first year of ownership
Start an estimate for predictable costs: filters, annual service, minor repairs, and larger items nearing replacement. Fannie Mae offers a broad maintenance savings rule of thumb of 1%–4% of home value per year, but your actual goal should reflect the home's condition, region, and finances. Do not mistake this savings target for a quote. Learn how to calculate your numbers in our guide on how much to budget for home maintenance.
Compare the age and service history of big-ticket systems. One aging appliance isn't an emergency, but a water heater with a recurring leak needs immediate attention. Save contractor proposals and final invoices so you can distinguish what was recommended from what was completed. Check our appliance lifespan guide to plan ahead for future replacements.
If you have a condo or townhome, verify which components belong to your HOA and which are your responsibility. A roof or exterior wall may be maintained by the association even though equipment inside your unit is not.
When to call a professional now, not later
Treat the following as urgent: suspected gas leaks; repeated breaker trips, sparking, or hot outlets; signs of serious structural movement; water near electrical equipment; sewage backups; persistent unexplained moisture; and nonworking essential alarms. Leave dangerous areas and contact emergency services or the utility when appropriate. Do not attempt electrical, gas, roof, or high-ladder work just to complete a checklist.
A manageable first-week checklist
- Locate the main water shutoff and electrical panel.
- Test smoke and CO alarms; note replacement dates.
- Read the inspection report and flag urgent items.
- Photograph labels on the HVAC system, water heater, and major appliances.
- Check visible plumbing for active leaks.
- Save warranties, receipts, and contractor information.
- Set the first reminders for filters, alarms, and seasonal work.
Make the list personal to your house
A thirty-year-old home with a sump pump needs a different schedule from a new condo. Build a free, personalized CasaKeepr maintenance plan, then add the systems you know and fill in the missing records later. CasaKeepr can help track dates, service history, manuals, warranties, and future reminders without forcing you to memorize everything on moving day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to finish this checklist in 90 days?
No. The 90-day framework helps prioritize; safety and active damage come first, and routine documentation can happen gradually.
Should I replace every filter and alarm immediately?
Inspect the actual equipment and dates first. Replace dirty or incompatible filters and expired or malfunctioning alarms; follow manufacturer and local requirements.
Is this a home inspection?
No. It is a homeowner organization and maintenance checklist, not a substitute for professional inspections or repair advice.