Maintenance Essentials for Tenants

When you move into a new property, there is always a certain amount of maintenance that will be required by you to carry out in order to meet the terms of your tenancy agreement. If you do these things as you go along, it will take up less time in the long run, reduce the potential for bigger problems to develop and it will make the moving out process a lot more straightforward. 

So here are 6 key things that all tenants should be doing on a regular basis:

  1. Checking the boiler and bleeding radiators

Checking the boiler has the right level of pressure in it, will mean it is less likely to break down and will run more efficiently. The pressure should be between 1 and 1.5 on the pressure gauge. If it is below this level you will need to open up the valve, let the pressure increase to the correct level and close it again. 

Sometimes air gets stuck in radiators meaning they don’t have heat running evenly throughout them,  so you will need to check whether the radiator needs bleeding. If a radiator is warm in one section and cooler in another part, it’s likely that the radiator will need to be bled. You will need a radiator key, which you can buy from the internet. Then turn the radiator valve and you will hear a hissing noise as the air escapes. Be careful not to let water out and as soon as a drip appears, close the valve immediately. The radiator will now be warm throughout the whole surface. Keys can be bought very cheaply online if you can’t find them in local hardware shops.

Always check the boiler again after bleeding a radiator as it can sometimes cause the pressure to drop. If this happens, just increase it to the level between 1 and 1.5 again. 

If you need help with how to do this, then look on Youtube as it is filled with ‘how to’ videos on these topics. 

  1. Reducing mould, damp and condensation

In the UK we tend to spend a lot of time with windows and doors closed, which means that fresh air doesn’t circulate properly which leads to condensation and mould in homes. The areas most prone to it are places in the house that have a lot of water vapour, such as kitchens and bathrooms. It can also occur if you regularly dry clothes indoors, as the water vapour stays in the house. The best thing to do is to make sure rooms always have a window open when cooking, showering or where clothes are drying. We have put together a guide on reducing mould and condensation for more in depth advice. 

(INSERT PDF)

  1. Reporting minor defects and leaks

Reporting minor defects is important as they will often lead to issues being fixed before they become costly repairs. For example, if a tap is leaking you will need to find a container for the water to go into and clear up the excess water. If it is left then it could cause further damage to surrounding areas. It is also important to find out where the stop tap is. In the unlucky event of a severe leak then you will need to turn the water off immediately. 

  1. Changing light bulbs

This may sound like a simple one but all lighting should be in good working order when you move out of a property, so all bulbs that have stopped working will need to be replaced. If you do this as you are going along, it will save a big job at the end of your tenancy.

  1. Cleaning

Cleaning is the tenants responsibility and something that should be done regularly to avoid pests and to maintain a pleasant living environment for everyone in the property. We suggest setting up a cleaning rota or deciding areas of responsibility amongst your co tenants if you live with other people. This will make it fair and you will easily be able to keep on top of the task. We don’t advise leaving it for long periods of time as it becomes a much bigger issue. Little and often is the best way and don’t forget to put your bin bags out regularly! 

  1. Clearing the filter on your washing machine and tumble dryers

Each machine usually has a filter which will need to be emptied regularly. Over time, the filter gets blocked with debris and will need to be emptied and cleaned to keep the machines working optimally. If you are unsure where it is, then make a note of the machine make and model and search online. Doing this regularly will help prevent the machines breaking down. As with other steps, Youtube is full of helpful videos on this topic, so that will be the best  place to start if you’re unsure what to do. 

Popular posts like this