Being a homeowner or landlord isn’t always a glamour task. To safeguard your family and tenants, it is important you get down to the nitty-gritty and take good care of your property. Here is part one of our guide to looking after your property.
Roof
Regular inspections of your roof are essential and should take place at least once a year.
• Guttering on the roof is susceptible to blockages from debris such as leaves and moss from roof tiles and should be cleared regularly.
• Roof flashing, connections and joints should be maintained and inspected regularly.
• Check blockage of rain water pipes
• Look for holes, broken, cracked, loose or missing tiles.
• All roofs should be checked regularly for signs of ‘wear and tear’. Some roofs, such thatched or timber one, are more susceptible to this than others.
• Flats roofs are particularly vulnerable to leaks and even total collapse. It is recommended that you get a professional inspection once every 3 years.
Walls
Damp stains, rising damp, flaky paintwork and mould are all signs that the property needs some care and attention.
• Check for dampness in walls, mould, condensation in the air and smells of dampness.
• Should cracks appear in the mortar/brick joints or anywhere across the walls, this might indicate subsidence, and you should speak to your insurer or contact a surveyor immediately.
• Look out for lines or damp stains along the skirting board, rising damp and paintwork that is crunchy flaky.
Doors & Windows
• Rotting wooden doorframes, door edges and windows are all common problems of traditional timber doors and wooden sash windows and you should be sure to check these at least once a year for signs of damage from the elements
• Damaged doors and windows are also an open invitation for vermin – and nobody wants that!
• You should also make sure all hinges are secured tightly on all frames.
• Rotting wooden doorframes, door edges and windows are all common problems of traditional timber doors and wooden sash windows and you should be sure to check these at least once a year for signs of damage from the elements
• Damaged doors and windows are also an open invitation for vermin – and nobody wants that!
• You should also make sure all hinges are secured tightly on all frames.
Bathroom
• Always check for leaks and water seepage in the bathroom fixtures, such as shower heads, cracked shower trays, toilets, cisterns and washbasins.
• Tiles in the bathroom can give a clear indication if there is too much moisture and the bathroom is not ventilated properly.
• Toilet bowls and tanks are susceptible to slow on going leaks, which if undetected can cause serious damage to floors and ceilings, as well as huge water bills!
• Always check for leaks and water seepage in the bathroom fixtures, such as shower heads, cracked shower trays, toilets, cisterns and washbasins.
• Tiles in the bathroom can give a clear indication if there is too much moisture and the bathroom is not ventilated properly.
• Toilet bowls and tanks are susceptible to slow on going leaks, which if undetected can cause serious damage to floors and ceilings, as well as huge water bills!
The Kitchen
The most common problems affecting the kitchen and utility areas are fire, gas leaks and escape of water.
• When gas is used in the property, you should always make sure that the gas knbs work properly.
• Make sure smoke alarms are working (not just in the kitchen, but throughout the rest of the house as well). Also ensure that you provide fire prevention kits and fire blankets.
• Regularly check the plumbing system and drainage from sinks and basins. If you are a landlord, you should also encourage your tenants to do the same.
The most common problems affecting the kitchen and utility areas are fire, gas leaks and escape of water.
• When gas is used in the property, you should always make sure that the gas knbs work properly.
• Make sure smoke alarms are working (not just in the kitchen, but throughout the rest of the house as well). Also ensure that you provide fire prevention kits and fire blankets.
• Regularly check the plumbing system and drainage from sinks and basins. If you are a landlord, you should also encourage your tenants to do the same.
Attic & loft
You must ensure that your attic is well ventilated to prevent the appearance of mould, fungus, moisture and dampness.
• Look out for condensation on the roof in the attic, this can be a sign of poor ventilation.
• Ventilation for your loft is all about being able to draw in warm air from your living spaces below, and allowing this air to pass out through the attic. Vents from living spaces (other than that of the kitchen or bathroom) will help to provide your attic from getting damp.
• Rats and other vermin are a common problem in loft spaces, always inspect the loft regularly and look out for droppings, smells, and evidence of any gnawing of furnishings or cables.
Stayed tuned for part two of our guide to looking after your property.
Richard Anthony
www.discoutnlandlord.co.uk
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