As the winter months approach, here are some important home care tips for tenants from the Howard Maintenance Team!
Check the location of your stopcock…
Do you know the location of the stopcock? Water freezing in pipes during cold weather can cause burst pipes so you’ll need to know how to turn the water supply off in the event of an emergency. When it comes to leaks these must always be reported to your agent or your landlord, as small problems can quickly escalate into big and expensive problems.
Maintain your property’s temperature....
Get to grips with how the boiler and thermostat work. Most instruction manuals can also now be found online. If you are going away over the festive period it is best to leave the heating on low or to set a timer so that the heating continues to come on regularly. This will help reduce the likelihood of condensation and burst pipes.
Keep condensation at bay…
In the winter any condensation problems tend to get worse and can cause mould to form. It's important to maintain an even temperature throughout the property, allowing heat to circulate by keeping internal doors open and using draft excluders where necessary to improve insulation and reduce condensation.
Keep your gutters clear....
Heavy rainfall and overflow from blocked gutters can cause damage to a property, so it is particularly important at this time of year to keep an eye on your gutters. If you are unable to keep them clear (for example, if you live in a flat in a tall converted building!) then you'll need to advise your landlord or your agent immediately if you think there is an issue.
Keep your property secure….
It might be a good idea to use lighting timers during the dark winter days and particularly if you are going to be absent from the property for longer periods. These are inexpensive and can be purchased online (eg Amazon, Argos), in hardware shops (like Screwfix) and even in some supermarkets, and can be taken with you when you leave at the end of your tenancy. They are a good way of deterring burglars when the property is vacant.
Test your smoke detector batteries – ideally each month (and not just in winter!)….
Recent statistics show only 26 per cent of people who have a smoke alarm test it at least once a month. This is despite experts confirming in the event of a fire there are less fatalities with a working fire alarm. It is a tenants responsibility to test and replace batteries where able and report any issues to their landlord or agent immediately.
If you have replaced the batteries and the smoke detector still does not work, you will need to notify your landlord or agent immediately so they can arrange for a replacement.
If you are a Howard Tenant please visit https://howard.fixflo.com to report any maintenance issues.
Wishing you all a safe and cosy winter!
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