First Apartment Checklist: What You Need

What to get first

Day oneBefore you sleep there

Toilet paper
Sheets and a pillow
Towel and soap
Phone charger
Light bulbs
Snacks and water

First weekAs you settle in

Pots, plates and cutlery
Cleaning supplies
Trash can and bags
Shower curtain
Plunger
Renters insurance

Can waitOnce you know the place

Sofa and rugs
Desk
Decor and art
Extra kitchen gadgets
Spare bedding
Plants

Before you move in

0/6

Read the lease. When rent is due and how to pay it, the rules on guests and pets, and who fixes what.
Renters insurance. The landlord’s policy covers the building, not your things. Some leases ask for it.
Electric and gas in your name. Starting the day you move in. Ask the landlord which ones you pay.
Book the internet. Installs can take a while, so book it first.
Change your address. At usps.com/move, then your bank, your job and anything that comes by mail.
Do a move-in inspection. Walk through with the landlord, note any damage in writing, and photograph every room, so you aren’t charged for it later.

Kitchen

0/9

A frying pan and a pot. Two is enough to start.
A good knife and a cutting board
Plates, bowls, mugs and glasses. Four of each covers you and a guest or two.
Forks, knives and spoons
Cooking tools. A spatula, a wooden spoon, tongs, a can opener and a colander.
Dish soap, a sponge and dish towels
Food storage containers. For leftovers and lunches.
A trash can and bags
Pantry basics. Salt, pepper, oil and a few things you like to cook.

Bathroom

0/6

Toilet paper. Before anything else.
A plunger and a toilet brush. Buy the plunger before you need it.
Towels. Two bath towels, hand towels and washcloths.
Shower curtain, liner and rings
A bath mat
A first aid kit. Bandages, pain relief and any medicines you take.

Bedroom

0/6

A mattress and bed frame
Two sets of sheets. One on the bed, one in the wash.
Pillows and a comforter
Hangers and a laundry basket
A bedside lamp
Curtains or blinds. If the windows have none.

Living room

0/4

Somewhere to sit
A table to eat at or work on
A floor or table lamp. Many apartments have no ceiling light in the living room.
Power strips and extension cords

Cleaning and laundry

0/4

All-purpose cleaner and paper towels
A vacuum, or a broom and dustpan
A mop or floor wipes
Laundry detergent. And quarters or a card, if the machines take them.

Tools and safety

0/5

Test the smoke alarms. If one doesn’t work, tell the landlord.
A flashlight and batteries
A small tool kit. Screwdrivers, a hammer, a tape measure and picture hooks.
Spare light bulbs
A small fire extinguisher for the kitchen

Ask Pax

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Questions

What do I need for my first apartment?

The basics for each room: a pan, a pot, plates and cutlery in the kitchen; toilet paper, a plunger, towels and a shower curtain in the bathroom; a bed, two sets of sheets and a lamp in the bedroom; and cleaning supplies, a small tool kit and spare bulbs. Tick them off on the list above.

What should I buy first for a new apartment?

What you need the first night: toilet paper, sheets and a pillow, a towel and soap, a phone charger and light bulbs. Kitchen things and cleaning supplies come in the first week. Furniture and decor can wait until you know the space.

Do I need renters insurance?

It isn’t required by law, but some leases ask for it. The landlord’s insurance covers the building, not your things, so renters insurance is what pays if they’re stolen or damaged, and it usually includes liability cover too.

What should I check on move-in day?

Walk through with the landlord and write down any damage: marks on the walls and floors, appliances that don’t work, leaks. Photograph every room, and keep a copy of the move-in checklist. It’s what keeps you from paying for that damage when you move out.

How can I keep track of what I own?

Photograph your things as you unpack, with roughly what each cost. If you ever claim on renters insurance, that list is what the insurer asks for. BoxTrack keeps it on your phone: a box for each room or closet, and a photo, a value and the date for each thing.

More help: What to unpack first after a move, room by room · Home inventory for insurance: what makes a claim easier

Sources: USPS: Change of address

First apartment checklist