Prepare your rental property for winter
October 24, 2024
Winter is hard on homes and on landlords when maintenance slips. A few preventative steps in autumn reduce emergency call-outs, protect your investment, and keep tenants comfortable. This article explains how to prepare a rental property for winter in England and Wales, with practical steps you can action now. Where helpful, we point to tools in August so you can organise tasks, set reminders, and keep proof in one place.
Start free with August
Why winter preparation matters
Cold weather exposes weak points in properties. Boilers run at full tilt after a quiet summer. Unlagged pipes freeze and burst. Blocked gutters overflow and stain internal walls. Draughty lofts leak heat and push bills higher. Each incident costs money and goodwill. Prevention costs less, shortens downtime, and improves the tenant experience.
If you prefer to track tasks with due dates and files, build a simple plan in August. The Landlord Compliance Journey shows upcoming safety and compliance tasks alongside maintenance, so nothing gets missed. You can see what is due, who is responsible, and what has already been done across your portfolio.
Before you start - access, expectations and scope
Give tenants proper written notice before any inspection or works and agree a reasonable time. In the same message, set expectations for winter. Share how to use the heating controls, where to find the stopcock, and how to report problems. If you have new renters, the Tenant Move-In template helps you cover the basics in a tidy order and leaves an audit trail.
This guide offers practical steps for England and Wales. It is not legal advice. For specific obligations, always consult official guidance and a suitably qualified professional.
Heating and hot water - the heart of winter resilience
Book a boiler service
After months of low usage, boilers can stumble when called back into heavy service. A pre-winter service by a qualified Gas Safe engineer is the best defence against a no-heat emergency. Ask the engineer to check the flue, pressure, combustion, seals, and safety devices. Keep the service certificate on file. Upload it into August so you can find it again quickly.
Bleed radiators and balance the system
Trapped air limits heat output and makes the boiler work harder than it should. Bleeding radiators restores performance, room by room. If some rooms still lag, ask the engineer to balance the system so each radiator receives the right flow. Balanced heating is more efficient and improves comfort.
Test controls and explain them
Check that the programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) work as intended. A sensible schedule and a steady set-point often reduce bills without harming comfort. Show tenants how to adjust the timer and why a modest frost-protection setting can prevent frozen pipes during a cold snap. A simple one-page guide kept in the property and uploaded to August prevents confusion later.
Want a friction-free way to plan and record these recurring jobs? Use reminders in August.
Pipes and water - prevent freeze, avoid floods
Insulate exposed pipework
Pipe lagging reduces heat loss and keeps water moving during freezing conditions. Focus on lofts, airing cupboards, under-sink runs, garages, and any external sections. Insulate hot and cold lines, not only the hot. Pay attention to bends and junctions. Good lagging costs little and saves a fortune in remedial work if a pipe bursts.
Locate and label the stopcock
In an emergency, seconds matter. Confirm the stopcock turns freely and label it. Leave a clear note near the valve and include the location in your tenant welcome pack. Tenants who know how to isolate the supply can limit damage while you or your contractor travel to site.
Protect outside taps and long runs
Isolate and drain outside taps, or fit insulated covers. Consider a drain-down if the property will sit empty during a holiday period. Where pipes run along external walls, add extra lagging and check any boxing is secure.
Insulation, draught-proofing and ventilation
Insulate the loft to modern standards
Loft insulation reduces heat loss, lowers bills and supports a stronger EPC rating. While you are there, check the condition of water tanks and any pipework. Insulate tanks properly and ensure lids fit well. Gaps in insulation around downlights and eaves should be left as required for safety and ventilation, so follow manufacturer guidance.
Tackle obvious draughts
Small gaps add up. Check letterboxes, keyholes, ill-fitting frames and worn seals. Low-cost draught proofing can improve comfort markedly. Do not block trickle vents. A steady flow of fresh air reduces condensation and mould risk.
Coach tenants on moisture and mould prevention
Winter living habits drive moisture indoors. Short, clear guidance helps. Use lids when cooking, run extractors during and after showers, avoid drying clothes on radiators, and keep trickle vents open. If you provide a dehumidifier, explain how and when to use it. Add this guidance to the property record so everyone answers queries consistently.
Roofline, gutters and rainwater
Clear gutters and confirm downpipes are secure
Leaves and moss clog gutters in autumn. Blocked runs overflow, soak masonry and stain ceilings. Clear debris before heavy rain or snow. Check leaf guards where fitted and ensure joints are sound. Confirm downpipes discharge to the right place and have not come loose.
Scan the roof from the ground
Look for slipped tiles, damaged flashing, missing ridge mortar and sagging sections. A small repair now prevents a leak later. If access is safe and legal, ask a contractor for photos and a short report so you can make timely decisions.
External areas - safety and slip prevention
Lighting and access
Short days and icy paths create obvious hazards. Confirm exterior lights work and timers are set. Treat algae on steps and paths. Where water pools, consider simple drainage changes or a raised threshold strip to keep water away from the door.
Outbuildings and meters
If the property has an external meter box or a cold garage, check seals, locks and insulation. Note the meter readings after service visits. Keep photos or PDF documents in August to maintain a clean history. Our AI will read the documents for you and suggest reminders.
Communications that prevent call-outs
Clear, early communication reduces stress on both sides. Send a short winter email or letter covering:
How to use the heating controls sensibly
Stopcock location and how to turn it off
What to do in a burst-pipe emergency
How to report issues out of hours
Moisture and ventilation tips that prevent mould
Store a copy in August so you can find them later and reuse the move in template each year.
Compliance touchpoints to review alongside winter prep
Winter preparation often coincides with annual safety cycles. While you have contractors booked, check where you stand on:
Gas safety record (annual)
Electrical checks as required by law and best practice
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: test and replace batteries if needed
Portable appliance testing where appliances are provided
Legionella risk controls where relevant
You can schedule these tasks with reminders and use our Landlord Compliance Journey. You can also attach certificates as documents for easy retrieval. If you prefer a simple starter, send our free landlord compliance checklist to your inbox and adapt it to winter.
Planning and budgeting - make winter routine, not reactive
Build a simple seasonal plan
List each winter task, the target date, the responsible person and any notes. Add estimated costs and renewals. In August you can assign tasks, upload invoices, and track completion without spreadsheets. When something slips, you see it before it becomes a problem.
Work with the right partners
Reliable trades reduce downtime. Keep a preferred list of Gas Safe engineers, electricians and roofers, with clearance and insurance on file. Known third parties to speed up maintenance in your properties and keep your tenancies on track with tenants.
A practical winter checklist you can adapt
Use this as a starting point and tailor it to the property:
Boiler serviced. System pressure checked. Flue inspected
Radiators bled. Heating system balanced. Controls tested and explained
Pipes lagged in lofts, cupboards, garages and external runs
Stopcock located, labelled and tested
Outside taps isolated or covered. Long runs insulated
Loft insulation checked and topped up. Header tank insulated
Draughts reduced at letterboxes, keyholes, door frames and worn seals
Trickle vents open. Extractors effective. Mould prevention notes shared
Gutters cleared. Joints and brackets sound. Downpipes secure
Roofline scanned. Obvious defects logged for repair
External lighting working. Paths safe and free-draining
Winter email sent to tenants with reporting details and guidance
Compliance tasks reviewed. Documents and certificates filed in August
If you want a deeper library of seasonal tasks, browse the Blog for landlord and how-to guides you can adapt to your portfolio.
How August helps you stay on top of winter
One place for tasks and proof. Build a winter schedule per property and attach invoices, photos, and certificates.
Stay compliant by default. See safety deadlines next to maintenance in the Landlord Compliance Journey so you avoid last-minute scrambles.
Simple to start. Review everything included on Features and pick a plan on Pricing that suits your portfolio.
Free resources. Grab the free landlord compliance checklist and customise it for winter tasks.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I get ready for winter?
Aim for early autumn, before the first sustained cold spell usually in October. You will find trades easier to book and you may avoid peak-season rates. If you leave it late, prioritise boiler service, pipe lagging and gutters.
Do I need tenant permission to enter for maintenance?
You must give proper notice and agree a reasonable time. Keep the tone polite and pragmatic. Explain the benefit to the tenant. In other words warmth, fewer breakdowns, and less disruption later.
Is bleeding radiators safe for tenants to do?
Many tenants can manage it with a radiator key and basic instructions. That said, it is fine to include it in your maintenance visit, especially if the system needs balancing afterwards.
How do I reduce burst-pipe risk during a freeze?
Lag pipes, maintain a steady low background temperature, and make sure tenants know the stopcock location. Encourage them to report any unusual noises or leaks at once. Where a property will be empty, consider a drain-down and periodic checks.
Will better insulation really help with mould?
Good insulation and sensible ventilation work together. Insulation reduces cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Trickle vents and extraction carry moist air away. Combine the two and mould risks fall. Coaching tenants on small daily habits helps as well.
Bringing it all together
Winter resilience is a habit, not a one-off sprint. The combination to aim for is simple list, a serviced boiler, a balanced system, insulated pipes and loft, clear gutters, safe access, and well-briefed tenants. Tie those essentials to a seasonal plan with reminders and you reduce the chance of out-of-hours emergencies.
If you want a straightforward place to organise this, start with August. Track jobs, store proof, and keep your compliance visible. See everything included on our feature pages Compliance, Reminders, Documents, Rent Tracking, August Intelligence, Maintenance, Property Insights and Finances. Then pick a plan on Pricing, and send the free landlord compliance checklist to your inbox to use as a base.
Start free with August
For a wider view of the activities needed across the year, see our Ultimate Landlord calendar article.
Disclaimer: This article is a guide and not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice, or as a substitute for it. August does not accept any liability for any errors, omissions or misstatements contained in this article. Always speak to a suitably qualified professional if you require specific advice or information.
