Boiler

Is your boiler fit for winter?

Posted by cristina on

Whether you are a homeowner, property manager or landlord now is the time to starting thinking about the health of your boiler.

So what is the condition of your heating system?

Did you know over 50% of domestic boiler breakdowns occur between November and February, so consumers need to plan ahead to ensure that their heating systems are ready for the cold weather.

For boilers that are already suffering from wear and tear, the increased strain of daily use can cause components to fail and breakdown. 

The warning came from consumer advice firm, The Heating Hub.

Jo Alsop, founder of The Heating Hub, said: “It’s no great surprise that boiler breakdowns rise during the winter months when we rely on our heating systems more frequently, but faulty boilers can leave households without heating or hot water when they need it most.  

Most people are also spending much more time at home now due to lockdown and this in turns puts extra strain on the hating and hot water systems.

Boilers can be repaired of course but the inconvenience of having no heating or hot water for a few days, especially during a cold snap could cause all manner of problems. For you as a homeowner or landlord and of course to any tenants.

Regularly servicing or managing your boiler can save all manner of costs from spiralling. New boilers are expensive though that investment could be worth it if you could consider the scenario of the damage burst pipes can cause a property – commercial of domestic.

Don’t forget winter proofing your property all round. We have had our first cold snap of the year but post December the cold weather will move in as usual.

If you would like to hear more about our property maintenance services call one of the friendly team today. We can take care of your property so you can relax and enjoy the festive season.

Preparing your property for winter

Posted by cristina on

As we switch shoes for boots and reach for the central heating dial it is the time of year to do a few checks on your property just to make sure it is winter ready. If you are a landlord this applies to all of your properties. Not checking some of these things could result in costly repairs. Ensuring correct property maintenance throughout the year means that your property remains in optimal health.
Clear the guttersAt this time of year gutters need to be cleared to be effective. Leaves are falling and often block the gutters. This will stop them being effective in draining and could cause damp in the home and overflowing dripping gutters if not looked after.
Check the roofMost homes are ok in this department but some of the older houses may need a little work come autumn. Take a look to see if there are any loose tiles and get any repaired before stormy and frosty winter hits.
Check the boilerThe good old boiler is something you rely on for heating and hot water but many forget it goes from ticking along to full speed in a matter of days when it gets colder. Like a car it needs to be maintained to ensure it operates optimally so get gas safe engineer to give it a thorough check before it needs to power those radiators throughout winter.
Test the heatingYes, it’s almost time if you haven’t weakened already…switching the heating on is something most of us try to stave off but check everything works after many months of non-use. Once the system is on make sure each one of the radiators works as they should and if not you may need to bleed them. Tenants with heating problems tend to pick up the phone rather than do these things so it is best to make sure yourself.
Sweep the chimneyIf you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful real fire in your home then now is the time to get those chimneys swept. Just in time for some of the first cosy log fires of the season.
OutsideIt is just about time for the last grass cut of the season. Trim back shrubs near path ways so that on damp dark nights it is easy to get to your front door. Check the bulbs in outdoor lighting and add a little decorative lighting to highlight pathways. If working on your outside space is something you don’t fancy, then our team is happy to help

Property Management – the hassle-free way to manage your rental property

Posted by cristina on

When you step into the world of becoming a landlord it can be an exciting venture, however your rental property needs to be run like a business as there are plenty of rules, regulations and legislation to ensure your tenant is housed in a fully compliant and safe home. The Right to Rent Immigration Checks, CP12 Gas Safety Checks, Legionella, Smoke and Fire Alarm Legislation to name but a few, means not doing these things correctly and on time could be costly.
As experienced property managers, we know that apart from the safety of the home, the day to day administration, sorting out problems and dealing with tenants professionally and in a timely manager can be very time consuming. When you add property maintenance into that mix your time is just taken over. This is where we come in with skilled trades and handymen at our disposal to deal with problems quickly.
As part of the service we make periodic visits to ensure your property is being looked after by the tenants. Keeping this good working relationship with the tenants is an important part of our service so when we get problems they can be sorted out quickly with minimum fuss. We have an in-house property maintenance service that means dealing with property problems can be done efficiently and effectively within a budget agreed by yourself as the landlord.
The aim of our service is to manage, maintain & protect what is normally your biggest financial asset.
Should your new asset need some superficial work to get it ready to receive tenants, we can make sure it has a deep clean with any other waste removed. A quick coat of paint and some new flooring can transform a shabby property into a desirable one in an instant. If the property needs more work like a like bathroom or kitchen, we can provide a cost-effective quote to ensure you get new tenants in there quickly for a ROI. Property maintenance is paramount as a landlord.
If you are thinking of investing in a buy to let property or you already have one or more properties then talk to us to see how our Property Services could benefit you.