The first week in a new home goes better with a short list. Do the essentials first, then the nice-to-haves.
Before you unpack: clean
It is much easier to clean an empty home. Ask for a deep clean before the furniture arrives: kitchen, bathrooms, floors and windows. See home cleaning in Málaga or in Marbella, and give the date of the move in the request.
Security and keys
Change or check the locks, count the keys you received and make spares. If a lock sticks or a key is missing, read our guide on what to do when locked out.
Water and electricity
Run every tap, flush toilets and look under sinks for leaks. Test the lights and sockets, find the main switch and the fuse box and note what each circuit does. If anything looks old or trips repeatedly, ask for an electrician in Fuengirola or elsewhere. Our guide on finding a reliable plumber or electrician helps.
Assemble furniture
Flat-pack furniture takes longer than expected and is easier with two people and the right tools. A professional can assemble it in one visit: see furniture assembly in Torremolinos.
Small repairs and paint
Write a list of small jobs as you notice them: a loose handle, a dripping tap, a crack in the paint. Group them in one request so one visit covers several. For repainting, painting before the furniture goes in is easier: painter in Estepona.
Air conditioning and shutters
Check that the air conditioning works and that shutters open and close before the first hot days. See our guides on air conditioning before summer and keeping your home cool.
Keep it organised
Take photos of what you find on day one. They help if you need to talk to the landlord or the previous owner, and they show what to fix first.