What To Do First When You Move into a New House

Moving Into Your New Home? Here's Why Professional Facilities Management Is the First Call You Should Make

Finally — you’ve secured your property. Now comes the part most buyers and renters don't talk about enough: making sure that property is genuinely ready to live in, and keeping it that way.

Whether you're moving into a brand-new unit or taking over from a previous tenant, the condition of a property goes far beyond fresh paint and working taps. Cleanliness, pest-free environments, reliable security, and having the right people to manage day-to-day operations are what separate a house from a home — or a smart investment from a costly headache.

This is where professional facilities management comes in. Bestcare Facilities Management is a Nairobi-based company that has built its reputation around exactly these concerns, offering a suite of services tailored to homeowners, tenants, landlords, and property managers across Kenya. Here's a look at what they offer and why it matters when you're buying or renting.

1. Professional Cleaning Services — Because "Clean Enough" Isn't Good Enough

The first thing anyone does when moving into a new property is clean it. But there's a significant difference between a surface wipe-down and a thorough, professional deep clean.

• Move-in/move-out deep cleaning — removing dust, grime, and residue left by previous occupants from every surface, corner, and fixture
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning — using hot water extraction and specialist solutions to lift embedded dirt and allergens
• Kitchen and bathroom sanitation — descaling, disinfecting, and degreasing areas where hygiene matters most
• Window and façade cleaning — interior and exterior glass cleaning for apartments and standalone homes
• Post-construction cleaning — clearing dust, debris, and construction residue from newly built or renovated units before occupation

For landlords managing multiple units, scheduled cleaning contracts ensure that properties stay in top condition between tenancies, protecting long-term asset value and reducing vacancy periods. A well-maintained property photographs better, commands better rental rates, and attracts higher-quality tenants.

For buyers taking over a property, a professional clean before moving furniture in is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make — and Bestcare handles it efficiently, so you can focus on settling in. Their services cover residential and commercial properties with trained personnel and industry-grade equipment.

2. Pest Control and Fumigation — The Hidden Problem in Too Many Properties

Here's an uncomfortable truth about the Kenyan property market: pest infestations are far more common than listings let on. Cockroaches, rodents, bedbugs, termites, ants, and mosquitoes don't disappear on their own — and a new coat of paint certainly won't stop them.

Why this matters when buying or renting:

• Before occupation — A pre-occupation fumigation ensures you're not inheriting someone else's pest problem. Termites in particular can cause structural damage that goes undetected for years; catching them early protects your investment.
• Recurring treatment programs — Pests return if conditions allow it. Bestcare offers scheduled treatment programs (monthly, quarterly) that maintain a pest-free environment without requiring emergency callouts.
• Bedbugs and rodents — These are especially prevalent in furnished rentals or older properties with many previous occupants. Professional heat treatment and chemical interventions are far more effective than over-the-counter products.
• Mosquito control — In many Kenyan estates, standing water and vegetation create ideal breeding conditions. Larviciding and fogging programs significantly reduce mosquito populations, improving comfort and reducing disease risk.
• Snake removal — Properties bordering green spaces, undeveloped land, or drainage areas are at risk of snake intrusion. Bestcare's technicians safely identify and remove snakes and advise on deterrent measures to prevent recurrence.
• Bat control — Bats roosting in roof spaces, ceilings, or eaves can cause significant damage and pose health risks through their droppings. Bestcare provides humane exclusion and sealing services to remove colonies and prevent re-entry.

For landlords and property managers, offering fumigation as part of a tenancy handover is both a practical necessity and a strong selling point. It also protects against damage claims from tenants who discover infestations after moving in.

Bestcare uses products that are safe for families and pets when applied correctly, and their technicians provide clear guidance on re-entry times and follow-up care. They use licensed technicians, approved chemicals, and targeted treatment methods for different infestation types.

3. Manpower and Recruitment Services — The Right People Make a Property Run

A property is only as well-managed as the people running it. Whether you're a homeowner looking for a reliable housekeeper, a landlord needing a caretaker for your apartment block, or a property management company scaling your team, finding trustworthy, trained personnel is one of the biggest operational challenges in real estate.

What this covers:

• Domestic workers — Housekeepers, cooks, nannies, and general household staff, sourced and vetted for residential placements
• Caretakers and building managers — Reliable personnel to oversee day-to-day operations in apartment complexes, gated communities, and commercial properties
• Cleaners and maintenance staff — For ongoing or contract-based facility upkeep
• Grounds and garden staff — Landscaping and compound maintenance personnel for estates and standalone properties

Bestcare handles the vetting, background checks, and initial screening process, connecting property owners with candidates who have verifiable references and relevant experience. This is particularly valuable in a market where finding reliable domestic staff through informal channels often leads to high turnover and security concerns. Their manpower and recruitment services takes this burden off your hands.

Why this matters for property buyers and renters:

If you've purchased a property as an investment and need someone to manage it while you're not there, or if you've just moved into a large home and need household help, having a professional agency handle recruitment means fewer risks and faster placement. It also means accountability — Bestcare stands behind the personnel they place.

4. Security Services — Protecting What You've Invested In

In Kenya's residential property market, security is not an afterthought — it is a primary decision factor. Buyers and renters consistently rank neighbourhood security and on-site security provision among their top priorities, and rightfully so.

Key service components:

• Static guarding — Trained security officers stationed at entry points, perimeter gates, and access-controlled areas
• Mobile patrols — Regular patrols within a compound or estate, deterring unauthorized entry and ensuring visibility across the property
• Access control management — Monitoring and controlling who enters and exits a premises, logging visitor records, and managing contractor access
• Night security — Dedicated overnight coverage during the highest-risk hours
• Event security — Temporary security provision for property handover events, open days, or on-site construction
• CCTV surveillance and monitoring — Supply, installation, and monitoring of CCTV systems for residential homes, apartment blocks, and gated estates, providing round-the-clock visual coverage and recorded footage for incident review

Bestcare's security personnel undergo training in physical security protocols, emergency response, customer service, and conflict de-escalation. This matters because security guards interact daily with residents and their guests — professionalism is as important as vigilance.

For landlords and developers: Providing professional security is one of the most direct ways to justify premium rental pricing and attract long-term, quality tenants. Gated estates and apartment complexes with reliable, uniformed security command higher occupancy rates and lower vacancy periods.

5. Moving Services — A Stress-Free Start to Your New Chapter

Moving house is consistently ranked among life's most stressful experiences — and in Kenya's urban centres, navigating traffic, coordinating logistics, and protecting your belongings while doing it all yourself only adds to the pressure. Bestcare's moving services are designed to take that weight off your shoulders entirely.

What's included:

• Residential relocation — Full end-to-end moving services for apartments, townhouses, and standalone homes, including packing, loading, transport, and unpacking at your new property
• Office and commercial moves — Coordinated relocation of office equipment, furniture, and files with minimal disruption to operations
• Packing and wrapping — Professional packing using appropriate materials to protect fragile items, electronics, artwork, and furniture during transit
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly — Large items are safely dismantled for transport and reassembled in your new space exactly as needed
• Storage solutions — Short-term storage for items that aren't immediately needed at your new property, providing flexibility during the transition

For buyers moving into a newly purchased home and tenants relocating between rentals, having a professional moving team handle logistics means your belongings arrive safely and your move-in day runs smoothly. Combined with Bestcare's cleaning and fumigation services, it's possible to move into a property that is freshly cleaned, pest-free, and fully set up — all coordinated through a single provider.

6. Appliance Installation — Getting Your Home Fully Operational

Moving in is about more than getting your furniture through the door. A modern home depends on properly installed appliances and systems — and incorrect installation not only creates inconvenience but can also void warranties, cause damage, or create safety hazards.

Bestcare's appliance installation services ensure that everything in your new home is set up correctly from the start.

Key installations covered:

• Air conditioning (AC) installation — Split unit, cassette, and ducted AC systems installed by trained technicians, including wall mounting, refrigerant connection, drainage routing, and electrical hookup
• Water heaters and geysers — Safe installation of electric and solar water heating systems with correct plumbing and pressure valve configurations
• Kitchen appliances — Built-in ovens, cooktops, dishwashers, and extractor fans fitted and tested to manufacturer specifications
• Home automation and smart systems — Smart doorbells, intercom systems, and automated gate controls installed and configured for residential properties
• TV mounting and home entertainment — Wall mounting of flat-screen TVs with cable management for a clean, professional finish

For new homeowners, getting appliances installed properly at the point of occupation saves money and frustration down the line. For landlords furnishing rental units, professional installation ensures that appliances are safe, functional, and unlikely to generate maintenance complaints from tenants.

Making Your Property Investment Work From Day One

Buying or renting a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people make. But the transaction itself is only the beginning. The ongoing quality of your living environment — how clean it is, whether it's free of pests, how securely it's managed, and who's looking after it — determines whether that investment holds its value and whether that house truly becomes a home.

Bestcare Facilities Management brings together all of these services under one roof, offering Kenyan property owners, tenants, and managers a reliable, professional partner for the full lifecycle of property care.

Whether you've just taken possession of a new unit and need a deep clean and fumigation before moving in, you're relocating and need a trusted moving team, you're a landlord looking to staff your estate with trained security and caretakers, or you need appliances properly installed before your family settles in — Bestcare has the expertise, personnel, and track record to deliver.

Learn more or get a quote at bestcare.co.ke

Bestcare Facilities Management is a Nairobi-based company offering professional cleaning, pest control and fumigation, manpower and recruitment, security services, moving services, and appliance installation to residential and commercial property clients across Kenya.