As adults we all are in charge of looking after our own belongings. Your new home now belongs to you! Therefore, it’s now your responsibility to keep it in good condition.
We have been managing homes and helping tenants do this for years. So we’ve complied some helpful little tips and tricks that’ll ensure you have the best shot at looking after your home to the best of your ability.
- Wipe down all windows and surfaces that are affected by condensation (more on that later) and remove all mould. Though, don’t just use a piece of tissue. Clean if off using diluted bleach or a supermarket bought cleaning product.
- Remove all limescale from baths, sinks, shower heads and taps; that’s the gross stuff that builds up on the outside. It’s best to use a de-scaler and this can be purchased at supermarkets and DIY shops.
- Flushing through drains with a drain clearing product will prevent blockages in the sink. You can once again purchase this from any London supermarket.
- Remove leaves and debris from outside gullies, otherwise water won’t drain away. If you don’t do this and a blocked gully leads to damage to the property, and it could mean that you’ll be footing the bill – sorry!
- When a light bulb goes, change it. Don’t just sit in the dark wondering what went wrong. There’s more on this later.
- Familiarise yourself with where the main water stopcock is and how to turn it off, you never know when you’re going to need to switch off the water. The stopcock is usually where the main water pipe enters the property, or by the kitchen sink.
- You’re not exempt from emergencies and it’s important to know how to turn off the electric and gas supply when you need to. If you have no idea where to begin, read ‘Turning off Electricity’ or ask a contractor when they next visit you.
- Soda Crystals should be one of your best friends. Regular washes keep washing machines clean and working well. See ‘Maintenance Washes’ for more.
- Avoid blocking your kitchen waste disposal unit by running water down it regularly. Trust us, it’s not pleasant to clean when a blockage occurs.
- The buildup of ice can stop your freezer from working properly and as well as semi-defrosted food, you could end up with a broken door. Defrost it regularly.