As the autumn leaves fall and temperatures begin their slow slide, landlords across the UK face a familiar but growing challenge: how to protect rental properties from winter’s worst effects. With rising maintenance costs, tightening regulations, and tenants who expect warm, safe homes, the stakes are high. Data from Rightmove shows that rents outside London now average over £1,365, and although price rises have slowed, demand remains strong.
In such a competitive rental market, well-maintained properties aren’t just nicer to live in, but they help landlords retain tenants, avoid emergency repairs, and stay compliant. This winter lettings checklist is your guide to getting ahead.
Related: A Guide to Damp Proofing Your Home
Heating system & boiler checks before winter
Winter is prime time for heating breakdowns. Many landlord-guidance sources highlight boilers, pipes and heating systems as among the most common sources of winter repair calls. For example, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) warns that as temperatures drop, the risk of costly repairs rises, particularly to heating systems, and urges landlords to prepare early.
Annual boiler service
Ensure your boiler is inspected and serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes checking burner efficiency, safety valves, the flue condition, and any leaks.
Radiators and thermostats
Bleed radiators to release air pockets, which can reduce heat output. Make sure the thermostats are calibrated and working correctly.
Pipe lagging & insulation
Fit insulation (lagging) around water pipes, especially those in unheated areas such as lofts, basements, garages, and crawl spaces. Pipe lagging reduces heat loss, helps maintain water temperature, and, most importantly, prevents pipes from freezing and bursting in sub-zero conditions.
Check heating controls
Programmable thermostats and timers should be checked so tenants can heat efficiently without wastage.
Related: How Does a Dehumidifier Work?
Preventing frozen pipes & plumbing problems
Frozen or burst pipes are among the most costly winter issues for landlords. Even a small crack can result in water damage, mould, and long, expensive repairs.
Insulate exposed pipes & outdoor taps
Use foam or pipe lagging material to insulate exposed pipes. Outdoor taps should also be drained or fitted with frost covers.
Locate & label stopcocks
Ensure tenants know where the stopcock is, and test it to make sure it works. In emergencies, this is critical.
Protecting empty properties in winter
During void or low-occupancy periods, maintain a low level of central heating or ensure regular inspections to avoid water stagnation, freezing, and other risks.
Fix drips early
A dripping tap or a small leak can freeze, expand and cause worse damage. Attend to the leak immediately.
Related: How to Fix a Dripping Tap
Roof, gutter & drainage inspection
In freeze–thaw cycles, water seeps into small cracks or gaps, freezes, and then expands. As temperatures rise again, the ice melts, leaving larger openings. Repeated cycles can worsen cracks, loosen roof tiles, and damage gutters, allowing moisture to penetrate and cause significant structural problems.
Clear gutters & downspouts
Remove leaves, moss and debris from gutters and downspouts, and make sure water flows away from the house properly.
Inspect roof & chimney structure
Look for loose or missing tiles, damaged flashing, and cracked chimney crowns. Storms can exacerbate small issues.
Walls, foundations & cracks
Examine external walls for cracks or gaps around windows and doors. Any breach might let moisture or cold in. Seal with appropriate materials.
Drainage around the property
Ensure soil slopes away from foundations; check that drains aren’t blocked and soakaways work properly.
Damp, mould & condensation prevention
Mould and damp are more than just unsightly. They are a leading cause of tenant complaints, pose serious health risks, and can even result in costly legal disputes for landlords.
Ventilation
Check extractor fans are working and advise tenants to use them and open windows when cooking or showering.
Control condensation
Use trickle vents, advise tenants to keep air circulating, and avoid drying clothes indoors without ventilation.
Inspect for rising or penetrating damp
Look at the walls at the base of the property or under windows for signs of dampness. Early treatment prevents bigger repairs.
Mould treatment & prevention
Clean early signs of mould using appropriate fungicidal washes; repaint with mould-resistant paint where needed.
Smoke, carbon monoxide & legal safety obligations
Compliance isn’t optional. UK landlords are legally required to fulfil certain safety duties, especially in winter when risks increase.
Smoke alarms & CO detectors:
Test alarms and change batteries. UK law mandates working smoke detectors on every floor, and CO detectors in rooms with solid fuel appliances.
Gas safety certificate:
If there are gas appliances, ensure the annual safety check (CP12, the Landlord Gas Safety Record) is valid.
Electrical safety (EICR):
Have electrical installations evaluated regularly. Faulty wiring is a serious risk, worsened by cold moisture.
Fitness for human habitation:
Under UK law, landlords must provide homes free from health hazards (such as damp and mould) and fit to live in. Keeping inspection reports, repair records, and safety certificates provides evidence of compliance and protects landlords in case of disputes or legal claims.
Sealing, insulation & energy efficiency measures
Warmer homes mean happier tenants and lower energy use, which is increasingly important given the energy costs and environmental regulations (EPC ratings, etc.).
Sealing drafts
Inspect doors and windows for gaps, replace worn seals, and use weather stripping or caulk to close cracks so warm air stays in and cold air stays out.
Insulation
Improve your property by adding loft insulation, wall cavity insulation, and double or triple glazing where feasible. Retrofitting insulation will make your property more comfortable and can also raise its EPC rating.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Make sure your property has a valid EPC and take steps to improve its rating where possible, as UK regulations on minimum energy standards are becoming stricter.
Smart energy controls & thermostats
Programmable or smart thermostats help tenants control heating effectively and reduce wasted energy.
Tenant responsibilities & communication for winter
A checklist is only as good as its implementation. Clear communication with tenants helps avoid misunderstandings and costly damage.
Tenancy agreements
Include clauses about tenant responsibilities, e.g. heating usage, reporting leaks or mould immediately.
Tips for tenants
Share practical tips to tenants, such as ventilating rooms, using extractor fans, and keeping windows slightly open instead of closing them completely.
Emergency contacts & procedure
Provide a list of trusted tradespeople, emergency plumber/electrician numbers and explain what to do if plumbing freezes, etc.
Pre-winter walk-through
Visit the property with the tenant if possible, or send a checklist so everyone is clear about the property’s condition and the steps needed for winter.
Get your property winter-ready with Lovelle
At Lovelle, we understand how important your rental investment is and how quickly winter can cause damage if a property isn’t prepared. Our local letting agents are here to help you protect your property, meet your legal duties, and keep your tenants happy through every season. When it comes to letting your home, it must be Lovelle.
Visit your local Lovelle branch to find out how we can support you this winter and beyond.
