Most expensive repairs start as small problems that were easy to miss. A short seasonal check around the property catches them early. This list is a starting point rather than a substitute for professional inspection where you have concerns.
Outside
- Clear gutters and check downpipes are discharging properly, especially after autumn leaf fall.
- Look for cracked or loose render on bays, sills and mouldings; water gets behind damaged render and causes further deterioration.
- Check pointing on brickwork and the condition of any painted timber such as window frames and fascias.
- Make sure ground levels and paving slope away from the house and air bricks are not blocked.
Inside
- Look for staining or bubbling paint on ceilings and walls, particularly below bathrooms and around chimney breasts.
- Check sealant around baths, showers and kitchen worktops and replace it when it starts to lift or discolour.
- Ease and adjust doors and windows that have started to stick; it is usually a minor carpentry job.
- Note any new cracks in plaster. Fine cracks are common in older properties, but anything that widens over time is worth having looked at.
Keeping records
Landlords in particular benefit from keeping a simple log of inspections and repairs. It makes it easier to spot patterns and to brief a tradesperson accurately when work is needed.
If your checklist turns up jobs you would rather hand to someone else, our general repairs and handyman services cover most of them.