Spring into maintenance mode

Winter can be hard on everyone’s portfolio of properties.  Storms can expose weak points in the roofs, and frost can cause foundations to heave, not even thinking about what’s going on inside.  This is why spring property maintenance is critical for UK landlords to safeguard compliance, tenant retention, and long-term value – repairing potential winter damage before it starts to become a problem. Delaying risks increasing costs – what might have once been a £200 gutter fix could balloon into a £10,000 damp claim under Awaab’s Law – and voids (in both the property and your pocket).

Start with the outside – it’s where the weather hits, and probably has the most chance of needing your attention.  Look at the roof – check for dislodged tiles, cracked ridges, or slipped flashing.  This is where leaks can start, and they cause issues in habitability standards. Whilst you’re up there, clear the gutters and downpipes of leaves and moss – blocked pipes cause water overflow; water overflows eats into walls and can be the start of internal damp. Repoint mortar cracks wider than 3mm on brickwork, and ensure damp-proof courses and air bricks remain unobstructed to prevent rising damp. Test the window and door seals to keep out draughts (and draughts will hit your EPC ratings ahead of 2030s EPC C rules). Treat the fascias and soffits against rot, and make sure you check all the voids for birds and other critters making their home.

Test electrical immersion heaters and RCDs at fuse boards, refresh the EICRs every five years, and immediately fix and report Category 1 hazards to the local authorities. Clean kitchen and bathroom extractor fans thoroughly to help maintain good airflow and reduce the chance of condensation and mould.

Safety gear is next and needs your attention. Make sure you test all the smoke alarms on every storey and the carbon monoxide detectors in fuel-heated rooms.  Replace the batteries or 10-year units without fail – remember, that for every breach, there’s a £5,000 penalty. For HMOs or multi-level lets, check that the self-closing fire doors with gaps under 3mm and unobstructed escape routes are still compliant. It’s worth deep-cleaning beneath sinks and appliances to make sure they’re not attracting pests, and whilst you’re down there, seal entry holes you might see. In lofts, check that your insulation is still dry and uncompressed.

Gardens and grounds often get forgotten about, however, they are not only the ‘first impressions’, but they can also be a mighty anchor for tenants to stay in your property and,on the other side of the coin, they can be a potential liability. Mow the lawns and weed borders to make it an inviting space. Repair damaged fencing and treat any timber rot. If there’s a patio, you should jet wash it to remove slippery algae, and consider using a treatment like ‘Wet and Forget’ to deter its return.  One other point that’s often forgotten is that if there are any outbuildings, these fall under your main property obligations under tenancy laws, so make sure they’re all compliant too.

If you want to go the whole hog, consider refreshing living spaces too. Speaking to a number of cleaning companies who work with proactive landlords, they’re regularly asked to steam-clean carpets and treat stains, descale taps and showers, re-silicone baths, and replace cracked tiles.  Why?  The research points to a 20-30% reduction in turnover, and happier tenants lead to wealthier landlords!

Obviously, there will be a cost to the spring refresh.  Realistically, you can expect to be investing between £150 and £ 400 per property for professional input.  This might seem a lot, however, consider the cost if you had extended void periods, or emergency callouts for issues which could have been nipped in the bud?

One final point is to remember to keep a record of everything with dated photos and certificates.  This can feed into the upcoming PRS Database for transparency.

In this brave new world of a regulated landscape – the Renters’ Rights Act and EPC C by 2030 –  maintenance isn’t optional upkeep; it’s a strategic defence. Properties left unchecked and unloved erode yields and invite scrutiny. Act now, methodically, and your portfolio will weather the weather successfully. 

If you wish to talk to us about the maintenance of your portfolios, please get in contact