As well as bringing festive cheer, winter poses a unique set of risks for rental homes that can lead to expensive repairs if left unchecked.

The colder months test the resilience of every property, and our team needs to be extra organised around preventative measures to give our landlords complete peace of mind.

Keeping tenants and properties safe and warm means having trusted contractors on hand for checks and repairs to minimise the costs of emergency call-outs during the holiday season.

So if you’re a landlord doing everything yourself, or you’re wondering how managing agents protect rental homes from the cold, we’ve created this list of essential landlord winter checks, including:

The higher risks of winter

Curbing condensation and mould

Security when tenants go away

Healthy heating and hot water systems

Inspecting roofs and gutters

Preparing for the colder months is about more than just comfort; it’s about legal compliance and asset protection, so let’s see how to keep your rental property safe and sound this winter.

THE HIGHER RISKS OF WINTER

Winter’s trifecta of cold weather, constant central heating use, and tightly closed windows is the perfect storm for damage that can compromise your rental property’s integrity, inside and out.

To avoid unnecessary hassle, a list of landlord winter checks will help you combat winter threats like:

Sub-zero temperatures causing water in pipes to freeze and expand, leading to cracks that only become apparent—and devastating—once the ice thaws.

Winds, rain, and snow dislodging roofing or overwhelming gutters and drainpipes, allowing water to seep into the structure and weaken it with penetrating damp.

Increased humidity from higher differences in temperature between the inside of homes and the weather outside, resulting in condensation and mould from poor ventilation.

Neglecting these seasonal risks can result in significant financial losses and may even invalidate your landlord insurance policy if preventative maintenance wasn't performed.

CURBING CONDENSATION AND MOULD

As tenants seal windows to stay warm in the colder months, moisture from cooking, bathing, and drying clothes becomes trapped, leading to condensation on external walls and windows.

This can quickly develop into black mould, which is both a major health hazard and a frequent cause of tenancy disputes. So it’s essential to minimise the potential for problems and conflict by:

Ensuring all extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms are fully operational, clear of blockages, and powerful enough to clear steam effectively.

Checking that trickle vents on windows are open (or that some windows are locked slightly ajar) to allow a constant, low-level flow of air without causing significant heat loss.

Advising your tenant to keep a consistent ambient temperature throughout the home to prevent cold spots where moisture is most likely to settle.

Winter mid-tenancy inspections are the perfect tool to prevent mould or catch it early, particularly as lettings legislation requires landlords to resolve damp issues swiftly or face hefty fines.

SECURITY WHEN TENANTS GO AWAY

Tenants often travel to visit family or get some winter sun over the holiday period. Unoccupied and unheated homes face multiple risks, so it’s wise to drop your tenants a just-in-case reminder about:

Leaving the heating on a low frost-protection timer setting of at least 12 degrees while they’re away.

Turning off the main stopcock for longer trips to prevent either frozen pipes or leaks that may go unnoticed until the damage becomes significant and expensive.

Using smart plug timers for one or two interior lights to give the appearance of occupancy, deterring potential intruders during the longer and darker evenings.
Locking all windows and doors properly and setting any alarm to ensure your and their insurance policies aren’t invalidated in the event of a burglary.

Communication is key here; a simple message to your tenants with a small checklist of tasks before they depart can prevent a whole lot of time-consuming upset and costs.

HEALTHY HEATING AND HOT WATER SYSTEMS

There is no worse time for a boiler to fail than a freezing January morning, and emergency winter repairs are notoriously difficult to book and exceptionally expensive. So, if you haven’t done so yet:

Book a professional boiler service now to identify failing parts, then schedule future annual checks for the start of autumn.

Give your tenant instructions on bleeding radiators (and supply them with a key) to remove any trapped air and reveal unnoticed leaking pipes or joints.

Check that wall-mounted timers and thermostats are working properly – the batteries can run out – so the heating system operates at maximum efficiency for lower utility bills.

Including these tasks in your annual landlord winter checks will ensure your tenants stay warm and happy while minimising nasty peak-season shocks in your maintenance bill.

INSPECTING ROOFS AND GUTTERS

Late autumn leaves, winter moss, and the Great British Weather can overload drainage systems and roofs, causing significant damage from overflowing and penetrating water. So, ask your tenant to:

Clear any leaves or litter from external drains to prevent water from overflowing and turning into icy slip hazards on paths and driveways.
Look up at the roof throughout the winter to spot any slipped tiles, slates or damaged flashings so you can arrange repairs before they leak.

Check gutters and downpipes for signs of debris, then let you know if you need to get them cleared to ensure rainwater flows immediately away.

Proactive exterior maintenance as part of your landlord winter checks is far cheaper than internal repairs and redecoration: just a few minutes of your tenant’s time could save you a fortune.

Is your rental property prepared for winter?
We’d love to show you how we help landlords navigate these seasonal challenges to keep their tenants and properties safe and warm throughout the coldest season.

To enjoy total peace of mind this winter for your rental home in the Wilton and Salisbury area, call us on 01722 580059 or email us at info@piccoloproperty.co.uk for all the support and security you need.