Mark Walsh Estates 

Introduction

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, the likelihood of a boiler breaking down or pipes bursting becomes both more common and more of a health hazard to your tenants.

A problem with the boiler or a burst pipe can cause significant damage to the property so it is important that landlords are aware of any issues and address them promptly.

However, tenants are also expected to take steps to prevent this sort of damage from occurring. It is common practice for landlords to write to their tenants advising them on best practices so they know what steps they should be taking, particularly for groups like students who may have no experience with boiler maintenance.

Winter letter template for tenants

Mark walsh Estates has produced a letter for tenants as temperatures begin to drop  . This letter includes guidance for tenants on how to reduce risks caused by common cold weather issues in the home and what to do if a problem has occurred.

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Condensation factsheet for tenants

Condensation is the appearance of water on cold surfaces. It occurs where moist air comes into contact with air, or a surface, which is at a lower temperature.

Water produced from condensation is generally noticeable where it forms on non-absorbent surfaces (i.e. windows or tiles) but it can form on any surface and it may not be noticed until mould growth or rotting of material occurs.

This can cause damage to the property and make it a less pleasant place to live. 

To help prevent this, tenants can take a number of steps to reduce condensation in the property. Mark Walsh Estates has produced a handy factsheet that can be sent to your tenants to make them aware of these steps.

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Who is responsible for repairing a broken boiler or pipe?

This will depend on why the breakdown has occurred. Landlords are expected to maintain the heating system by default, so unless the tenant has caused the damage intentionally or through negligence, then it will be up to the landlord to fix any issues with the heating system. However, this responsibility will usually only be triggered from the point that the tenant informs the landlord of the issue.

For further information on the landlord's repairing obligations please see our guidance on repairs.