Christmas can be such a joyous time of year but can soon turn to disaster if you don’t take care of your property and valuables. Here we share a few tips to keep your home & contents safe & well maintained over the festive period.
Tenants Maintenance Tips
- Ensure you know where the stop cock is located in the event of a leak
- Ensure you know where the fuse box is located in the event the electrics trip
- Ensure that the property is sufficiently heated during the colder weather and ventilated, especially if you are away from the property
- If you are aware that you have any emergency cover (boiler breakdown, plumbing, electrics and drainage) on the property e.g. British Gas or Homeserve etc. that you have the contact numbers to hand
- Dropping temperatures raise the risk of pipes freezing, and a cold, unheated, unventilated property can become a breeding ground for damp and mould – not the welcome home gift any one wants.
- If you leave the thermostat on low but consistent temperature it helps prevent the build-up of damp & mould and keeps the pipes from freezing over. This small step can help to prevent significant damage.
- Insulating the pipeson your rental property means they are less likely to freeze over. This preventative measure can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
- You may want to consider switching your water off at the mains if you are going away form the property for a trip as this can prevent leaks.
Beware Of The Intruder
Make sure you are super safety conscious. Unfortunately, the holiday season sees a spike in the number of break-ins and burglaries. Many of us travel to visit friends and family over Christmas, leaving our homes empty and more vulnerable to break-ins. Homes are often laden with gifts during the Christmas period, both before and after and we can forget that burglars may just be more tempted by the empty boxes they spy outside of a property tempting them in.
Tips To Protect Your Property & Valuables
- Do not place Christmas presents or other high-value items in sight of windows. If valuables are visible, then draw the curtains or blinds when the house is empty….or even better put them a way until you return.
- Be wary of how much you share on Social Media- Although it is nice to celebrate and show others what we are up to avoid publicising your movements or photos of any expensive gifts received.. Doing so could inadvertently signal to burglars that the property will be empty or that there’s something worth breaking in for. Your social media may be secure nut are those who can view yours?
- Leave Lights on a Timer –A dark house can clearly indicate that no one is around. If you plan to go on holiday or an extended trip over Christmas, set timers to switch the lights on and off at certain times throughout the day to give the impression that someone is home and deter potential burglars.
- If you plan to be away for an extended period during the holidays ask a trusted person to keep a closer eye on you home, and take any additional security measures. With Belvoir tenants have an obligation to inform us if they are away for period of 30 days or more.
Preventing Fires at Christmas
The Christmas season, with its all its lights and candles brings a increased risk of fires in the home. In fact, according to Property Reporter, there is a 12% spike in fire service callouts on Christmas Day compared to the monthly average.
Christmas Fire Safety Tips
- Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Don’t overload plug sockets with any extra Christmas lights
- Don’t leave candles unattended or near Christmas trees or wrapping paper
- Choose battery-operated candles.
- Inspect Christmas lights for signs of damage before using.
- Switch off or unplug your fairy lights at night and when going out.
- Don’t hang decorations over or near fires or heaters no matter how lovely it looks
If you’re a self-managing landlord it is important to provide your tenants with safety advice over Christmas without sounding too intrusive. Good advice can prevent bad experiences for both you and your tenants.
To find out more about protecting and maintaining rental property and what management packages we offer contact the Belvoir Northwich & Congleton Team today
📞01606 783599
