Autumn and Winter Property Checklist – Tenant’s Guide

Making sure your property is ready for winter means you’ll be able to keep the warmth in, save money and protect your home too. When the autumn months roll by, make sure you prepare for the colder months with this helpful checklist.

Heating

You can do some simple checks to make sure your heating is ready for winter. This includes radiators and fireplaces.

• Check the pilot light for your boiler is on.
• Your gas safety certificate should be valid and updated annually. Make sure to check with your Property Manager if the certificate has expired.
• Fireplaces and chimneys should have been cleaned before you moved in. But if you are resident for an extended period of time, please check if they are clean and clear.
• Check radiators are working correctly. If you need to bleed radiators you can either do this yourself or request a professional to do it for you.

Plumbing

Keeping the water flowing is even more important in the winter months. These quick checks will make sure you’re ready.

• Make sure pipes are insulated, especially pipes in the loft or outside the premises
• Check the stopcock is working
• Make sure pipes are clear

Insulation

Your insulation needs to be efficient to enable you to keep the heat in. Inefficient insulation means lost heat and lost money.

• Check draught proof covers around letterboxes and keyholes
• Check door and window frames for damage and arrange repair if necessary

Gardens and outside areas

In the winter months, your garden or outside area tends to become neglected. To minimise damage to the property, the garden and the equipment, you should:

• Trim bushes and prune trees
• Rake up any fallen leaves
• If you want to plant shrubs and trees, autumn is the ideal time to do so
• Put away any equipment or outside furniture

Property Exterior

The autumn months are a good opportunity to check the property before the wet or cold weather sets in.

• Check for peeling paint, which can be a sign of moisture penetrating the building
• Check pipes, drains and guttering to make sure they’re clear and properly affixed
• Autumn is a good time to clean windows, once again you might need to hire someone to do this
• Make sure vents are not obstructed
• Check exterior lights are working correctly