Condensation can be a big problem for many properties as warm air created in the property from everyday activities, such as cooking and showering, meets cooler surfaces such as a window or wall. It is therefore extremely common during cool winter months. Unless properly ventilated, this build-up of moisture in your property can lead to […]
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Wildlife such as birds and squirrels have a habit of displacing insulation in roofs over time, especially if they have found a way to make a nest. Similar problems can also incur from using loft space. It is a good idea to make sure that all of your insulation is in the correct place and […]
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A standard landlord insurance policy may not cover things like maintenance callouts, so it could be worth considering a review of your policy to add covers like landlord home emergency or landlord boiler breakdown. It’s also a good idea to make sure your property’s in good shape to survive the winter without any issues. If you check everything’s […]
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Maintaining a good relationship with your tenants means they’ll be more likely to help you keep your property in good condition, and let you know if anything’s wrong. Make sure they have all the details they need about the property, including the location of the stopcock in case they need to turn the water supply […]
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Winter is also a good time to check the roof of your rental property, looking out for broken tiles, issues with pointing and rendering, and cracks in the chimney if you have one. If you spot anything wrong you’ll need to get it fixed, as otherwise water may come in during heavy rains, or weak […]
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It’s good practice to get your boiler serviced once a year – this should highlight any issues that may have gone undetected when the heating hasn’t been needed during the warmer months. Also, as everyone begins to switch on their central heating as the weather gets colder, the surge in gas consumption can lead to […]
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It may seem simple, but one reason a property may be cold is that the radiators don’t work properly. This is often because they need to be ‘bled’. The process involves releasing any trapped air from the system, allowing hot water to fill every part of the radiator and warm the property more efficiently.
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We all know pipes can freeze in the winter, but it’s easy to forget about them – and before you know it, there’s a cold snap and you’re dealing with the repair bill for split pipes. If your property’s going to be empty for a while, you can reduce the risk of this happening by […]
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Leaving a property empty can also increase the risk of theft – another reason to visit regularly. Even if you have tenants in the property, there may still be periods where it’s empty due to the occupants going away for a while – for example, around Christmas. You might want to consider chatting to your […]
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Leaving your rental property without tenants living in it may not seem like much of an issue, but a lot can go wrong when a property is left unattended. From an insurer’s point of view, things like water leaks, fire, and burglary are more likely to happen the longer a property’s unoccupied. That’s why they […]
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