Looking after your home through the seasons

A few simple habits, done at the right time, keep your home comfortable and prevent most breakdowns. Here is the calendar we recommend to our tenants.

Autumn: getting the heating ready

• Book the boiler service before the first cold days: technicians are far more available in September than in December.
• Bleed radiators that stay cold at the top and check the system pressure, usually between 1 and 2 bar.
• Replace the thermostat batteries.
• If you have a garden, clear the leaves blocking drains and gratings.

Winter: keeping damp under control

• Air each room for ten minutes a day, even in cold weather, especially after a shower or cooking.
• Keep the window trickle vents open and unobstructed.
• Move furniture slightly away from outside walls so air can circulate.
• If frost is forecast and you will be away for a while, leave the heating on frost-protection mode.

Spring: a general check

• Dust the smoke detectors and test them with their button.
• Descale taps and shower heads, and clean the dishwasher filter.
• Clean the traps under basins and the shower before they block.
• Check the silicone seals around the bath and shower: a loose seal lets water through to the floor below.

Summer: before going on holiday

• Turn off the water supply if you will be away for more than a week.
• If you switch off the fridge, empty it and leave the door ajar to avoid mould.
• Leave a key with someone you trust and let your manager know about any long absence.

All year round

An unusual noise, a damp patch, a socket that gets warm: reported early, these small signs are fixed quickly and cheaply. The reporting form in the tenant portal lets you send them to us in a few minutes, photos included.