Winter can be tough on homes, and when the festive season comes around, it’s even more important to be prepared. Cold weather can bring all sorts of surprises – burst pipes, heating hiccups, or draughty windows – so if you’re a tenant, knowing what to do will save you a lot of stress.
Emergencies
These are the problems that need immediate attention because they could cause serious damage or pose a safety risk:
- • Burst pipes or major water leaks
- • No heating or hot water
- • Gas leaks
- • Electrical hazards
- • A broken door or window after a break-in
- • Blockage of your only toilet (but remember: if the blockage is your fault, you’ll be responsible for the cost).
What to do:
- • During office hours: Call our Lettings Team on 01903 506040. You can check our Christmas opening hours below, and our normal office hours are:
- Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 6pm
- Saturday: 9am – 5pm
- • Outside office hours: If it’s an emergency that can’t wait, you can call one of our emergency maintenance contractors below to make the property safe.
- • If you smell gas: Call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.
Please remember, if a contractor is called out as an emergency when a repair is not justified, you will be liable for all costs.
Non-urgent issues
If you have a non-urgent problem that doesn’t need to be fixed immediately:
- • During office hours: Call our Lettings Team on 01903 506040. Our normal hours are:
- Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 6pm
- Saturday: 9am – 5pm
- • Outside office hours or over Christmas: If it’s not urgent, please wait until our office reopens. You can check our Christmas opening hours below. Once we’re back open, give us a call and we’ll get it sorted as soon as possible.
Winter maintenance tips
Prevention now can save you from bigger (and messier) problems later. Here are a few quick tips to keep your home winter-ready:
- • Keep an eye out for leaks – Small drips can turn into big issues if ignored.
- • Protect outdoor taps – Insulate them to stop them freezing in low temperatures.
- • Clear gutters – Blocked gutters can lead to leaks or overflowing water.
- • Avoid sink and toilet blockages – Be mindful of what you’re flushing or rinsing down.
- • Prevent damp – Open windows regularly and use extractor fans to keep condensation at bay.
- • Report small issues early – Don’t wait for them to turn into emergencies.