Winter Home Safety Tips For Tenants

As the chilly winter weather takes hold and storm season starts, it's crucial to take proactive steps to protect your home and ensure a cosy and safe environment. Here are some essential tips to help you safeguard your property during the winter months.

Heating System Check-Up

At this time of year, even the most hardy Scots find that putting on another jumper is not enough and they need to switch their central heating on for at least part of the day. It is a good idea to check that your heating is working as effectively as possible on a regular basis so that you keep warm without wasting money.

• Radiator Inspection: Regularly check all radiators for any signs of air pockets. Bleeding the radiators can improve their efficiency and ensure even heat distribution.
• Boiler Servicing: Your landlord or property manager should arrange for the boiler to be serviced annually to ensure that it is working efficiently and safely. We recently had a tenant who said that they had to keep ‘topping up’ their boiler but hadn’t reported it to us. This is a sure sign that there is a leak somewhere. If this is happening to you – please tell us!
• Boiler Timer: We have met some complicated timers over the years, so there is no shame in not having a clue how to work yours. If you can’t figure it out, ask for a demonstration. Having a timer set to heat the property at set times makes sure you stay warm without wasting money heating the place when you are out.

Top Tip – If you have a leak from above, and you’re not on the top floor, go and let the residents in the flat above know. We recently had a tenant wait until Monday morning to tell us that a drip had started in their kitchen on Saturday, but they hadn’t told the upstairs neighbour. It turned out that it was the neighbour's washing machine hose connection and they tightened it there and then as they weren’t aware of it leaking. 

Winterproofing Your Home

Electricity and gas are expensive enough without pumping heat out into the street. Traditional Edinburgh flats can be beautiful, but those classic sash windows can slip, making your rooms more than a little draughty. Closing the shutters and curtains as soon as it starts getting dark can help keep the room cosy and rugs can help if you have wooden floors.

• Window and Door Seals: Inspect all windows and doors for any gaps or cracks. Use weatherstripping or draft excluders to seal these openings and reduce heat loss.
• Insulation: If you have access to the loft, check that there is sufficient insulation in place. The government recommends a depth of at least 270mm. If you can’t see, you can check the property’s EPC to find out what insulation is in place.
• Prompt Reporting: If you notice any significant gaps or damage, report the issue to your property manager as soon as possible so that they can arrange repairs.
• Mice: Four legged beasties also like to stay cosy at this time of year, so watch out for mouse droppings near walls or in cupboards and contact pest control or your property manager immediately before any of your belongings get damaged. Please don’t leave food cartons or empty pizza boxes lying around in the kitchen as these will attract mice.

At a recent inspection, a tenant’s room was cold even though the heating was on and she had a scarf along the bottom of the window. A closer look showed that the top sash (upper window) in this older Victorian flat in Marchmont was actually open and a gap could be seen along the top edge. We pushed the upper sash up with a window pole (a broom handle will work too) so there was no longer a gap and then the two windows could be locked with the fastener. She later reported how warmer her room was and had turned down the radiator. 

Top Tip – if the window fastener can’t close because its not level, then either the upper or lower sash isn’t properly closed and it will be draughty.

Preparing for Winter Emergencies

Even if you follow these tips, disasters can happen and you need to know exactly what to do if your heating breaks down, your pipes leak or if you have a power cut.

• Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of emergency contact numbers handy, including your property manager, plumber, and electrician.
• Emergency Procedures: Familiarise yourself with the location of the main stopcock. In case of a burst pipe or leak, promptly shutting off the water supply can prevent further damage.
• Emergency Plan: Develop a basic emergency plan outlining steps to take in case of power cuts, extreme weather, or other unforeseen events.
• Emergency Kit: Keep a torch, drinking water, non-perishable food, spare batteries, a portable charger and a first-aid kit somewhere easily accessible. Consider investing in a wind-up or battery powered radio too so that you can keep up with local bulletins if your phone signal fails.

Regular Maintenance and Reporting

We recommend that you regularly inspect your home for potential issues, such as water damage, mould, mildew or electrical problems. Some of these can be avoided quite simply by remembering to follow this advice.

• Ventilation: Open windows or use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to prevent condensation.
• Heating: Maintain a baseline level of warmth throughout your home to reduce dampness.
• Dehumidifiers: Use a dehumidifier in problem areas to minimise moisture buildup.

We often have reports at this time of year that there is mould starting in bedrooms. On inspection, we often find that the tenant is putting wet towels or washing on the radiator, or has the trickle vent closed on the window, or has the windows all closed and the bedroom door closed and wet washing on a drying frame in the room.

Top Tip – try and ensure that clothes have space and an air flow around them rather than in a closed cold room.

Top Tip – don’t put wardrobes, boxes, or other large objects against cold north facing outer walls.  These create a cold surface and lack of airflow allowing condensation to form and then mouldy areas to gain a foothold.  Make sure these cold outside wall are receiving some air circulation. Mould is more often than not due to lifestyle and use of the room rather than a leak or actual fault with the property. If you do see some mould starting to appear, don’t just leave it – clean it off with an anti-bacterial cleaner which will help prevent it recurring.

Reporting Issues

If you see any issues it’s important to report them to your landlord or property manager as soon as possible. Addressing problems early can prevent them from escalating and causing more significant damage.

If your property is going to be empty for more than a day or two, you should advise your landlord or property manager, so that they can let you know what they want you to do about the heating while you are away, They may also want to schedule extra inspections during that time to avoid the horror of burst pipes.

By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of winter-related damage to your home and ensure a comfortable and safe living environment.