What to expect in the first year as a homeowner

The initial 12 months of owning your first home are often described as a whirlwind of paint testers and weekend trips to B&Q and The Range. However, amongst the standard advice about having a rainy-day fund and settling into mortgage payments, here are some of the first things you can expect in the first year as a homeowner.

Did you know that to build your home, we use approximately 4550 litres of water? This means that an important part of the first year is simply letting the building breathe. As your home settles and starts to dry out, you might notice that cracks appear in the plaster, usually at the tops and corners of walls, or on your joints between boards. Whilst shrinkage can’t always be avoided, it can be easily fixed by using standard filler that you can get from any reputable DIY store.

You may also expect to see condensation pooling on windowsills during the colder months, but this isn't a sign of a leak; it is actually just the building fabric releasing moisture as it cures. At Gleeson, we usually suggest leaving your windows and doors open as much as you can and leaving the trickle vents at the heads of your windows open when you’re out to help the moisture escape.

In your first year, try and be a bit strategic about where you put your heavy furniture. Pushing a huge wardrobe or a thick sofa right up against an external wall can trap moisture and lead to damp patches. So, remember to leave a two to three inch gap between your furniture and walls to allow air to circulate and stop any moisture from being trapped. Plus, in areas where you’ll be producing excess moisture, such as in bathrooms and kitchens, we advise keeping the doors closed and ventilating these rooms as much as you can.  

During your first year of homeownership, keep an eye on the outside of your property, specifically the guttering and roofing. If you’re able to reach them, clean your gutters at least twice in your first year (and continue to do so over the coming years) to prevent leaves and debris from building up. Failing to do so can lead to leaks or build up on the outside of your home. 

While the house itself is new, the paperwork is a standard part of the home-buying experience. You will need to contact the local council to set up your Council Tax as soon as you move in, but don’t be concerned if your property hasn't been "banded" yet. Sometimes it takes the Valuation Office Agency a few months to catch up with a new development, so it is wise to set aside some money each month based on the estimated band, so you aren't hit with a large, backdated bill later.

Similarly, setting up your utilities in a new build can feel slightly different. Your meters will already be installed, and we will set you up with our preferred supplier, but you can also shop around to find a better rate. However, remember to be patient with broadband suppliers as even if the fibre optic cables are in the ground, it can sometimes take a week or two for the exchange to recognise your new postcode. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a backup mobile hotspot or plenty of data on your phone for those first few days of unboxing. 

Your first two years are covered by a two-year Gleeson warranty, which is your safety net for any defects that may occur.

The best approach is to keep a simple note of anything you notice and send it over to our customer service team in batches. This ensures everything is documented before that first-year milestone, protecting your investment and keeping your home in top-tier condition for the future. 

One of the best parts of buying a new build is the social element, as you aren't the "new person" moving onto an old street where everyone has known each other for years. Instead, you are part of a whole wave of people starting over at the exact same time, which often leads to the creation of WhatsApp groups and community forums.

Infrastructure-wise, remember that the roads and street lighting might stay under the developer’s wing for a while before the local council officially takes over. This is perfectly normal and actually means you have a direct point of contact if a streetlamp stops working or a drain gets blocked during later construction phases. Maintaining a good, friendly relationship with your site manager is always a good idea, as they are often the quickest route to getting a small query answered while the team is still nearby. 

For more first-time buyer advice on everything from mortgage applications to choosing the right flooring, you can check out our latest buying guides here.