Property Care
the boiler
You should regularly check the boiler’s pressure gauge, to ensure it does not drop below 1.5 bars. If they do find themselves with no hot water or heating, this should be the first step. If this does not fix the issue, you should contact us ASAP.
blockages
You should attempt to unblock sinks, toilets and external drains using bleach or specific products like a plunger in the event of a blockage. You should also dispose of sanitary products, food or hairs correctly and not in sinks, down the toilet or external drains.
lighting
It is a your responsibility to change light bulbs, including fluorescent strip style lights.
Also be aware oven clocks are not battery operated so if there is a loss of power they will need to be set again to allow the oven to function. You can look online for your particular oven model on how to do this
security
According to National Home Security Month research, around 5% of burglaries involve an unlocked door. But even locked doors can fail to keep the wrong people out.
Recent statistics have shown that around 76% of domestic burglaries are made via a door, with a forced lock and an unlocked door being the top two most common methods of door entry. Tenants are responsible for locking up and securing the property when they’re out or at night.
roofs and gutterings
In terms of general prevention, roofs, guttering and drains must all be kept in good working order, particularly after heavy rain, storms or snow.
Landlords are responsible for the repair and maintenance of a property’s structure and interior but tenants, if they have responsibility for the garden, should be mindful of leaf fall clogging up drains and guttering in autumn. If there are leaks or obvious water escape, it is important the tenant flags this to us as soon as possible.
how to deal with damp and mould
Damp and mould can be a serious health concern and it us as landlord’s legal responsibility to ensure it is dealt with.
But there are also ways tenants can prevent and manage mould and damp issues
Condensation is the most common form of damp in rented properties. It is often worse in winter when excess moisture in the air comes into contact with a cold surface, such as a window or a wall, which can then cause mould growth. The most common cause of condensation and mould growth is poor ventilation or heating, or inadequate insulation. Please try to avoid having your bed against an outside wall in your bedroom this can cause an issue with mould in certain cases. Also drying clothes in your rooms should be avoided if possible and if this is unavoidable a window should be opened at all times or a powered dehumidifer should be purchased to use in your bedroom.
Penetrating damp is caused by water coming through external walls or the roof, or if there is an internal leak or a plumbing problem.