Kevin Shaw, national sales managing director, Romans (an LRG company)
When it comes to property maintenance, prevention is the best cure. So, whether you’re a homeowner or landlord, you should have an inspection and maintenance schedule to ensure your property remains in good condition and you don’t end up with a sudden huge repair bill.
Making checks on the property inside and out just a couple of times a year should be enough to catch any problems early, before they become bigger and more expensive to fix, and could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
In terms of the cost of annual maintenance, budget to spend around 1% of the value of your property. So, if your home is worth £350,000, you should expect maintenance and repairs to average around £3,500 each year. Of course, not everything will need doing every year, but putting that amount of money aside should give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to afford the bigger jobs when they come up.
To keep on top of things, here is a to-do list for each year:
January/February
As soon as the worst of the winter weather is over:
- Check roof tiles, guttering, perimeter fences and any external structures haven’t been damaged over the winter
- Check the internal walls – particularly at the top and bottom – for any signs of damp or surface mould
- Consider whether any redecoration or upgrading of fittings is needed – and plan to do that in the warmer weather.
May to August
If there are storms through the spring and summer, check the outside of the property and the garden for any damage after each event- Experts say that as the climate continues to change, we will see heavy storms and significant rainfall become more frequent and intense, so it’s well worth considering whether the drainage systems on your property could do with increasing/upgrading to ensure water doesn’t pool and cause flooding.
September/October
Towards the end of each year, before winter fully hits, it’s well worth taking a few hours to check that the property is wind and watertight, and the heating system is working properly. That should ensure you don’t end up with expensive callout charges for repairs, or big bills for damage from things like damp and flooding.
- Clear the guttering and drains of leaves and other debris so water can escape
- Make sure the guttering and downpipes are in good condition
- Check the roof for any cracked or missing tiles and ensure flashing is secure
- Make sure window and door seals and locks are in good condition
- Check pipework is properly lagged to prevent freezing
- Have the boiler serviced and a gas safety check carried out (annual legal requirement for landlords)
- Have the heating system flushed every couple of years to make sure there’s no build-up and water can flow freely
- Make sure any fencing is secure
- Cut back excessive shrub/tree growth and get rid of any loose or broken branches
- Secure or put away garden furniture so it doesn’t get damaged by storms, frost, etc.
It’s worth remembering that even if you have insurance, if any damage was caused or exacerbated by poor maintenance of the property, your insurer may not pay out in full and might reject your claim entirely. So, keep records of checks and receipts for any work that’s carried out.
If you have tenants
If you’re a landlord, either you or your managing agent should be making regular property inspections, but renters can also help by taking care of the property and letting you know about any issues as soon as they arise. Fixing hazards and avoiding damp and mould is going to become particularly important once the Renters’ Rights Bill passes in England and the new Decent Homes Standard comes into force.
Make sure the people renting your property have a list of maintenance contacts and know what to do if there’s an emergency – e.g. where and how to turn off the stopcock and mains electricity.
Remind them, or ask their managing agent to:
- Ventilate the bathroom and kitchen, as well as any areas where they’re drying washing, to let water vapour escape so mould doesn’t form
- Wipe any condensation and pooled water off windowsills
- Heat the property during the winter to help avoid damp and mould
- Ask them to let you know if they’re going away for more than a week, so you can check on the property in case of bad weather.