What this guide covers
- Receiving keys does not settle every delivery issue; check against the tenancy inventory.
- Photograph meter readings, existing damage and the agreed handover record on move-in day.
- Handle utilities, internet, bank and government address changes separately.
Coordinate appointments a week ahead
Before moving, compare the tenancy start date, actual key handover and the movers' booking, then arrange the handover with the landlord, agent or management office. The building may have moving hours, lift-protection rules, parking arrangements or works-registration requirements. Check these and pass them to the movers. Also establish whether water, electricity and gas are already supplied. Reconnection or inspection may need booking in advance; receiving keys does not guarantee that every service is ready the same day.
- Prepare the agreement, inventory, identification and property contacts.
- Keep essential medication, chargers, lighting and simple food accessible for the first night rather than packed away.
Inspect each area while the home is empty
- Check ceilings, window edges, wall bases and cupboards for leaks, mould, cracks and pests.
- With permission, test taps, toilets, floor drains, hot water and drainage.
- Check doors, windows, locks, guards, balcony safety and clear escape routes.
- Test included air conditioners, refrigerator, washing machine and other appliances, recording models.
- Take overview and close-up damage photographs labelled with room, date and explanation.
Inspecting the home does not mean taking equipment apart yourself. Electrical wiring, gas pipes and dangerous heights call for qualified help. Stop using anything suspicious and ask the landlord to arrange the appropriate inspection. Organise handover photographs with their dates and send them to the other party for acknowledgement. Pictures left only in a phone album, without the related correspondence, may be less useful when explaining the condition in which the flat was delivered.
Complete a jointly confirmed handover record
Count the furniture, fittings, remote controls, keys and access cards together, and ask how the mailbox, refuse area and shared facilities work. Where the tenancy promises a repair or replacement, record who will do it, by when and how they will gain access. “To be dealt with later” leaves too much unclear. If the property does not match the agreed condition, record the differences and discuss a remedy before signing a statement that everything is satisfactory or that no claims remain.
| Handover item | How to record it |
|---|---|
| Utility readings | Photograph meter numbers and readings and confirm the date together |
| Keys and cards | Count each type and identify any other holders |
| Unfinished repairs | Photographs, agreed work and completion date |
| Payments | Official receipts matching rent, deposit and other sums |
Handle each utility account separately
For each utility, confirm the registered customer, when your responsibility begins and when the old account closes. The Water Supplies Department has a taking-up procedure; an active supply is different from one requiring restoration. Outstanding charges from the previous customer may also prompt a request for evidence of your takeover date. Follow the relevant electricity and gas supplier's procedures and retain deposits and confirmations. Where gas needs an on-site connection, arrange it through the company rather than operating pipes or valves yourself.
- Use the same complete building and unit address as the agreement.
- Compare the first bill with opening readings and query discrepancies promptly.
Track each address update
An address change usually needs more than one notification. Banks, employers, schools, insurers, healthcare contacts and government accounts generally require separate updates, and mail forwarding does not replace them. Ask which evidence is accepted, whether an electronic bill will do, and record both submission and confirmation dates. Different family members' accounts may have separate requirements too. For internet installation, check the broadband agreement, ownership of the router and any consent required for the work.
- Use an appropriate mailbox name label and confirm reliable delivery.
- File important documents so they can be retrieved, without leaving identity copies on shared devices.
Recheck in the first week and retain evidence
After living there for a few days, look again for things a viewing may not reveal, such as evening noise, air-conditioning drainage or an intermittent leak. Report new findings promptly in writing and keep repair discussions, invoices and approvals, seeking consent before major changes. Store the tenancy, stamp certificate, handover photographs, payments and utility records together. Returning to that same file when leaving makes comparisons easier, may reduce deposit disputes and helps another family member take over the administration.
Frequently asked questions
What if I discover old damage only after handover?
Photograph it promptly and notify the landlord in writing, noting when and how it was found and asking about repair and responsibility. Do not leave it until departure.
Can I keep using the previous tenant's utility accounts?
Clarify registration and settlement through the agreement and supplier procedures so liability is clear. An appropriate transfer or new account will generally be needed.
Can I change the locks myself?
Check the tenancy and obtain any required consent, including management and emergency-access arrangements. Do not alter communal access systems without authority.
Official sources and further reading
This guide draws on the sources below, last checked on 2026-11-13. Before acting, recheck the relevant authority’s current eligibility, fees and annual arrangements.
Estate Agents AuthorityRenting, step seven: signing the tenancy agreementChecked 2026-11-13 · Open official sourceWater Supplies DepartmentMoving in: taking up a water accountChecked 2026-11-13 · Open official sourceCLP Power Hong Kong LimitedOpening a residential electricity accountChecked 2026-11-13 · Open official sourceThe Hong Kong and China Gas Company LimitedOpening and closing a gas accountChecked 2026-11-13 · Open official sourceCheck whether each item is an official requirement, case-specific evidence or an editorial suggestion. Other people’s experiences may help, but decisions on your case remain with Immigration or the relevant authority.
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