Protecting your rented home this winter

During the winter months we would like to draw your attention to the following steps you need to take to protect your home specifically if you are away for any length of time over this period.

Heating

Please ensure all heating is left on a low continuous setting (60F/15C minimum), this will help prevent frozen pipes which can burst and cause serious damage to your property.

If there is a loft space the hatch should be left open to enable warm air to circulate in to the loft.

Please also turn off and drain any outside water taps.

If your property has oil or LPG please ensure that you have adequate levels and that you have arranged a top-up service with your provider by the beginning of December, well in advance of the Christmas break.

Security

Please ensure that all windows and doors are firmly locked and if there is a security alarm please check that it is working and ensure that it is set.

If you are going to be away for more than 7 days please make us aware in writing and we would suggest that you arrange for the property to be visited by a responsible person whilst you are away. Please do not turn off the utility supplies (gas, water, electricity etc) while you are away.

Emergencies Out of Hours Service - Please be advised that our 24 hour emergency cover is for genuine and real emergencies only

Over the Christmas period we will endeavour to deal with emergencies as quickly as possible, however, please bear in mind that there will be a limited number of Contractors working, particularly on Bank Holidays. If your property has a British Gas Homecare service contact / other service agreements please call them directly.

We would be grateful if you could familiarise yourself with the location of the stopcock, fuse box and circuit breakers at your property.

Before contacting the emergency call-out engineer please ensure that you have checked all obvious solutions such as a blown fuse, tripped circuit breaker, a blown light bulb and check through the manuals for any appliances first as a call-out fee will be charged for any call-out where the engineer cannot find a fault. Please note that domestic appliance engineers do not provide an emergency service.

Loss of keys/lock out by tenants is chargeable and can be more expensive during the Christmas Period, we would therefore suggest that it is advisable to leave a spare key with a neighbour or friend.

If you have any questions about any of the above please do not hesitate to contact us.