As we reach the beginning of winter and head towards the coldest weeks of the year, there are many things both landlords and tenants can do to ensure properties stay warm, dry and comfortable during the chilly season. Your tenancy agreement should stipulate what’s what in regard to responsibility for certain aspects of caring for the home, but here we cover some of the worst wintry offenders. Tenants, make sure to update your managing agent or landlord with any issues, so these can be actioned as soon as possible. And landlords, keeping on top of any repairs and maintenance is crucial. It’s sensible for everyone to have a list of emergency contacts at hand, such as plumbers, electricians, handymen and of course, your agent.

Heating

Heating is particularly difficult with the cost of living hitting a high. To keep the cold at bay, use draught excluders for doors, thick curtains at windows, and rugs on wooden floors. Bleeding radiators helps them run more efficiently. That being said, heating the home for an hour each day will make a huge difference. Even when away, we recommend leaving the heating on a timer to avoid frozen pipes.

For landlords, make sure to regularly service the boiler, and insulate, insulate, insulate. If the property has a fireplace, organise a proper sweep of the chimney.

Plumbing

There’s never a good time to have a leak. As a tenant, do you know where the stopcock is in case of emergency? Locate it, and familiarise yourself with how to turn it off, so a leak can be stemmed immediately. Also fix dripping taps, partly because they’re so annoying, but also to evade plumbing problems later down the line.

Laundry

At this time of year, it’s impossible to dry your clothes outside. However, when drying clothes inside, it’s all about ventilation. Crack windows a little to allow damp air to escape, and/or keep extractor fans on if you have them, clearing any dust and grease so they’re running as well as they can be. Of course having the heating on will speed up the drying process.

Condensation

Following laundry advice, this leads straight onto condensation, which can often morph into mould. If your home is prone to this, use a proven mould and mildew remover to stay on top of it. Wipe windows and frames in the mornings, where moisture builds up overnight. If mould is a regular and insistent issue, more serious measures such as damp proofing may be required.

Outside

If you have a home with a garden or outdoor space, this comes with a category of things to take care of. Lag the pipes and cover outside taps, and clear gutters as well as remove any overhanging branches. Rake leaves to stop them blocking drains, and block any holes so pests like mice don’t seek shelter indoors. With windier, stormier weather ahead, fences need to be secure. Roofs need to be checked for any broken or missing tiles, to avoid leaks, damp, and structural problems in the long run.

Security

With the nights drawing in so early, we recommend leaving small signs that the property is occupied. These include timed lighting if possible, or leaving the bathroom light on. A video doorbell helps too. It’s common sense to lock all doors and windows, including sheds, garages, etc, and also spray with lubricant to prevent sticking in the cold. Make sure to regularly test all your alarms, such as smoke and carbon monoxide.

Adam Barker, Director, advises further on how to keep your property warm and well this winter:

“We cannot recommend highly enough the recommendations within this blog. Obviously the winter months do bring worries and issues, but by following these recommendations, you’ll dramatically reduce these concerns. If a property is sitting empty for a long period, landlords can take further measures, including the complete draining of a property’s water system. However, ensuring the property is heated and lagged where appropriate would be best practice in these situations.”

For any advice on letting out your property, or for renting a home in the area, contact us on 01525 40 22 66 or email ampthill@orchards.co.uk