November 22, 2011
Landlords up and down the country have been told to make sure their properties are prepared for this winter’s cold snap.
The National Landlords Association (NLA) has revealed that during last year’s harsh winter, thousands of rented properties were severely damaged by burst and frozen pipes, as tenants didn’t know how to shut off the heating system. The problem is largely prevalent in properties left vacant over Christmas, such as student housing.
But this year things will be different, the NLA claims, and in a warning to all UK landlords the organisation has asked property owners to educate tenants on shown how to shut off water to their property.
Tenants should also be shown how central heating systems work and where the gas boiler is located, along with where the emergency gas shut off valve is, the NLA said.
In addition, the NLA has issued guidance on how landlords can make sure their properties are more energy efficient, including such ideas as:
- making sure loft insulation is at a minimum depth of 270mm to stop heat loss through the ceiling.
- Installing cavity wall and floor insulation to stop heat escaping where possible.
- Fitting lagging to hot water pipes and tanks can significantly reduce heat loss and stop pipes from freezing.
- Draft-proofing the property by filling gaps between floorboards and skirting boards.
“It’s important that tenants know how the heating system works in their property,” said National Landlords Association Chairman David Salusbury.
“Each winter, many rented properties are damaged by burst pipes because tenants don’t know how to shut off the heating system.
“Making a property more energy efficient provides benefits for all involved: tenants will be warmer and energy bills reduced. A higher energy efficiency rating, which is measured by an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), may also benefit the landlord by making a house more attractive to prospective tenants.
