Autumn is the ideal time for landlords to prepare their rental property for the wetter, colder and windier months ahead. In South Devon, coastal exposure can add extra pressure to roofs, gutters, exterior paintwork, windows and fencing, while colder weather often reveals problems with boilers, pipework and ventilation.
A few proactive checks now can prevent emergency callouts later. More importantly, a well-maintained home is more comfortable for tenants, supports longer tenancies and can help reduce avoidable void periods between lets.
Whether you self-manage or use a fully managed lettings service, this practical checklist will help you get organised before winter arrives.
1. Arrange heating checks and the gas safety certificate
Heating failure is one of the most disruptive problems a tenant can face during winter. It is also one of the areas where early preparation makes the biggest difference.
If your property has gas appliances, you must arrange an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The resulting Gas Safety Record should be provided as required and retained with your property records. The government’s guidance on landlord safety responsibilities is a useful reference point.
Book the check before the heating season gets busy, and consider arranging a boiler service at the same time. Although a boiler service and gas safety check are not identical, completing both proactively gives you a clearer picture of the system’s condition.
Your autumn heating checklist should include:
- Confirming the gas safety certificate is current.
- Servicing the boiler and checking for unusual noises, error codes or pressure loss.
- Switching the heating on before colder weather arrives.
- Checking thermostats, timers and thermostatic radiator valves.
- Bleeding radiators if they are cold at the top or heating unevenly.
- Looking for leaks, corrosion or damaged insulation around accessible pipework.
- Checking that hot water is working properly.
- Confirming tenants know how to report a heating or hot water failure quickly.
For electric heating, heat pumps or other systems, arrange the appropriate inspection and servicing schedule. Keeping clear records of all checks is essential for good property management in Torbay and Teignbridge.
2. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Alarms are a straightforward autumn check, but they should never be treated as a box-ticking exercise.
In England, landlords must ensure that there is at least one working smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required in rooms containing a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. This can include rooms with boilers, fireplaces, wood burners or other fixed fuel-burning appliances.
Use the autumn inspection to:
- Test every smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm.
- Replace batteries where required.
- Replace faulty, damaged or outdated units.
- Check alarms are correctly positioned and not blocked by furniture or stored items.
- Record the date of testing and any remedial work.
- Remind tenants to test alarms regularly and report faults immediately.
If your property has an open fire or log burner, arrange a professional chimney sweep before it is used regularly. Also check that tenants have clear instructions about safe operation and what to do if they notice smoke, fumes or problems with the flue.
3. Inspect gutters, downpipes and the roof
Autumn leaves, heavy rain and strong coastal winds can quickly expose weaknesses in a property’s external fabric. A blocked gutter may seem minor, but overflowing water can contribute to damp patches, penetrating damp, damaged render and timber decay.
Arrange a safe inspection of the gutters and downpipes, ideally before the worst of the autumn leaf fall. Do not ask tenants to undertake work at height.
Check for:
- Leaves, moss and debris blocking gutters.
- Cracked or leaking joints.
- Loose brackets or sagging sections.
- Downpipes discharging correctly.
- Water pooling near the building’s foundations.
- Signs of staining or dampness around upper walls and ceilings.
The roof should also be visually inspected from ground level, and after any significant storm. Look for slipped or missing tiles, damaged flashing, loose ridge tiles and areas where wind-driven rain may enter. Coastal properties around Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Teignmouth and Dawlish can experience particularly exposed conditions, so prompt attention to small defects is worthwhile.
Use a qualified roofer for any repair work. A maintenance inspection is not the same as climbing onto the roof, and safety should come first.
4. Protect pipes, tanks and outdoor taps
A burst pipe can cause extensive damage and leave a property uninhabitable. Before the first hard frost, check all vulnerable pipework, particularly in lofts, garages, utility spaces, under suspended floors and against external walls.
Your checklist should include:
- Insulating exposed or poorly protected pipes.
- Checking loft tanks and hot water cylinders have suitable insulation.
- Inspecting accessible pipework for leaks or corrosion.
- Turning off the supply to outdoor taps where possible.
- Opening outside taps briefly to drain residual water before freezing conditions.
- Showing tenants where the stopcock is located.
- Providing clear emergency instructions for leaks or loss of water.
It is also sensible to explain that the property should not be left completely unheated during cold spells. Low background heating can help reduce the risk of frozen pipes and excessive condensation, particularly if a tenant is away for a short period.
5. Check ventilation and tackle condensation early
Condensation becomes more common as windows stay closed, clothes are dried indoors and heating patterns change. However, landlords should not simply attribute every damp or mould report to tenant behaviour. The property itself must be assessed for leaks, inadequate insulation, defective extractor fans, failed seals and insufficient ventilation.
During an autumn inspection, pay close attention to kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and north-facing rooms. Look for:
- Mould around window frames and corners.
- Peeling paint or bubbling plaster.
- Damp marks on ceilings and external walls.
- Condensation on windows.
- Extractor fans that are noisy, weak or non-operational.
- Trickle vents that are painted shut or obstructed.
- Blocked airbricks or damaged external vents.
Make sure extractor fans operate correctly and that tenants understand how long to use them after cooking or showering. Provide practical, non-judgemental guidance, including:
- Keep kitchen and bathroom doors closed while cooking or bathing.
- Use extractor fans during activities that create moisture and for a short period afterwards.
- Open windows briefly where appropriate to improve airflow.
- Avoid drying clothes directly on radiators.
- Wipe away persistent condensation from windows and cold surfaces.
- Keep a reasonable level of background heat during colder weather.
- Report leaks, mould, failed fans or persistent condensation promptly.
Good ventilation guidance should sit alongside proper repairs. The government’s private renting guidance makes clear that landlords must address dampness and maintain the property’s structure and exterior where these are contributing factors.
6. Inspect windows, doors, fencing and external areas
Wind-driven rain is a familiar feature of life in South Devon. Before winter, check external doors and windows for failed seals, sticking mechanisms, water ingress and damaged frames. Draught-proofing can improve comfort and energy efficiency, but do not seal the property so tightly that adequate ventilation is lost.
Also inspect:
- Fence panels, gates and posts.
- Garden walls and loose masonry.
- External lighting.
- Paths, steps and handrails.
- Shed roofs and garden stores.
- Drains and gullies.
- Trees or branches that could threaten the building.
Clear access routes and repair trip hazards before wet weather makes them worse. A small external repair is usually easier to schedule in advance than to deal with after storm damage.
7. Use proactive maintenance to protect retention and reduce voids
Maintenance is not only about compliance and avoiding large bills. It is also part of the tenant experience.
Tenants are more likely to stay in a property where repairs are handled clearly and promptly. A warm, dry and well-maintained home supports trust, reduces frustration and can make a tenant more inclined to renew. That continuity can help landlords avoid the costs and uncertainty associated with avoidable void periods.
At Butterworth Sales and Lettings, we have invested in maintenance reporting software to improve how issues are logged, tracked and communicated. This helps create a clearer audit trail and makes it easier to identify recurring problems before they become expensive failures.
We also believe landlords should have transparency when work is required. Contractor bills are never marked up. You pay the contractor’s bill, rather than an inflated version passed through the agent.
For landlords who do not want to coordinate engineers, inspections, compliance dates and tenant communication themselves, our letting and property management services cover Torbay and Teignbridge. You can also visit the Landlord Centre for further practical resources.
A simple autumn action plan
To keep your winter preparation manageable, divide the work into three stages:
Now:
- Check gas safety and boiler service dates.
- Review alarm locations and condition.
- Book roof, gutter and external inspections.
- Order pipe insulation and replacement alarms if needed.
Before the first hard frosts:
- Insulate exposed pipes.
- Drain outdoor taps.
- Test heating and hot water.
- Check extractor fans and window vents.
- Send tenants clear winter guidance.
After the first major storms:
- Inspect the roof and gutters again.
- Check for water ingress and damp patches.
- Review any tenant maintenance reports.
- Record completed works and outstanding actions.
A planned autumn maintenance programme helps protect your property, supports tenant satisfaction and gives you greater control over winter costs. For local advice on property management, speak to the Butterworth team before the cold weather arrives.