Winter property maintenance checklist

A well-maintained property stands a better chance of squaring up to anything mother nature throws at it during the winter months. This checklist will help ensure the safety of your tenants as well as potentially avoiding future repairs.
Read more: https://t.co/cRroDGGKPg pic.twitter.com/4LESYbzb6f

— Savills (@Savills) December 22, 2020

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Tips for tackling condensation

Condensation is a common issue in homes, but what can be done to tackle it? Have a read of our factsheet for landlords and tenants https://t.co/haw3ZDgPH0 Remember, NRLA members can access a suite of useful docs and guides over on our website.

— NRLA - National Residential Landlords Association (@NRLAssociation) December 1, 2020

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Costs of maintaining a BTL hits £12k a year

Cost of maintaining a buy-to-let hits £12k a year in parts of the UK - View Article - https://t.co/jtdIQf95dk pic.twitter.com/5Yb9OP13et

— Estate Agent Networking (@EAUKNetworking) December 4, 2019

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How to get rid of black mould

Mould problem at home? 😤

Here's how to get rid of black mould, condensation or damp ❌https://t.co/0RXd9TrHXi

— Checkatrade.com (@Checkatrade) October 28, 2019

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Property maintenance: landlord concerns

Property maintenance top list of landlord concerns https://t.co/g69Xs4ILNw pic.twitter.com/J2bvkaRIlf

— Mortgage Introducer (@MortgageChat) October 14, 2019

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Warm start puts Japanese knotweed on track for early emergence

The unseasonably warm start to the year could have an impact on the growing season for Japanese knotweed, according to a national trade body.

Japanese knotweed lives through winter in the soil and starts to sprout in the warmer temperatures of spring.

But the current weather conditions could push the plant’s growth pattern weeks ahead of its usual pattern according to experts.

Dr Peter Fitzsimons is the Invasive Weed Control Group Technical Manager of the Property Care Association (PCA) and is keeping a watching brief on the situation.

He said:

“Traditionally the growing season for Japanese knotweed begins in April, with some variation from north to south nationally, but in 2017 there were reports of the plant beginning to grow in March.

The Beast from the East put the growing season last year back to a more normal timeline, but the climate so far is looking like it will provide the type of conditions for Japanese knotweed to take hold earlier again this year.

Areas where the ground has retained moisture are likely to be particularly attractive to the plant.”

The presence of Japanese knotweed can devalue land and property and lead to the refusal of mortgages on properties affected by it and the PCA is urging caution and prompt action in tackling it.

Dr Fitzsimons added

 “Japanese knotweed is a nuisance plant because it grows so rapidly and is capable of causing disruption around buildings, but we know it can be controlled, like other plants, and managed like many property problems, in that it can be identified and treated with minimal impact.

However, its effective eradication is a job for the experts and the earlier that work takes place the better, so it’s a good idea for anyone who thinks they might have an issue to obtain a professional opinion.

Currently, the law puts the onus squarely on landowners to control and remediate Japanese knotweed infestations, particularly near houses, as soon as they come to light. In the case of property development removal is often the only viable solution and this needs to be handled by qualified knotweed surveyors.

Advice sought quickly will help to control and manage the situation effectively.”

The PCA’s Invasive Weed Control Group signposts the public and private sectors to professional specialist invasive weed control contractors and consultants.

The Association also has a library of information including guidance notes, information leaflets and a Code of Practice - all available for free download - to provide insight and guidance on the issue www.property-care.org/professionals/invasive-weed-control/invasive-weed-control-technical-document-library

A short film is also available - PCA Video guide to dealing with Japanese Knotweed
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Japanese knotweed to be under control by 2040

Japanese knotweed to be under control by 2040 https://t.co/vrCLVIdykP pic.twitter.com/e7fDuRDxVj

— Mortgage Introducer (@MortgageChat) February 5, 2019

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Electrical safety in PRS: Govt tightens rules

Our response to our consultation on electrical safety in the private rented sector includes plans for guidance to help landlords decide who is competent to perform electrical safety checks in their properties, helping to ensure #tenants are safe #UKHousing https://t.co/9UHy8Z2CHC

— Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Govt (@mhclg) January 29, 2019

Government tightens electrical safety rules for private landlords #ukhousing https://t.co/8Ne8ShRVc8

— Inside Housing (@insidehousing) January 29, 2019

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Mould in rental property

Our Policy Manager John Stewart discusses the issue of damp and mould in rental properties, in @MailOnline today > https://t.co/AWnWLRixDi

— RLA Landlord News (@RLA_News) January 7, 2019

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Tips to get rid of black mould

LABC #Compliance Tips for #Builders: Working on a client home and encounter the dreaded black #mould? Why #condensation happens and how to be rid of it - tips from local authority building control experts. https://t.co/VcuXDfbXrL pic.twitter.com/CUWdWmtapN

— LABC (@labcuk) January 3, 2019

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Dry summer causes record subsidence claims

Dry summer causes record subsidence claims, say insurers https://t.co/ML2sSp90ci

— BBC Business (@BBCBusiness) December 5, 2018

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Autumn property maintenance checklist

Autumn's officially here - are your properties prepared? Download our autumn maintenance checklist for free to make sure: https://t.co/ISCWiGq22c

— Fixflo (@Fixflo) October 6, 2018

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Must landlords cut the grass?

You asked: My tenant is insisting that I must cut the grass, but is this my responsibility or hers? https://t.co/YQ9B5T23lX #gardens #grass

— RLA Landlord News (@RLA_News) July 31, 2018

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Rental Repair Survey 2018

The Rental Repairs Survey 2018 is here! Fill it in now for your chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher: https://t.co/oYaXtMa2H2 pic.twitter.com/ER3sLy8tXd

— Fixflo (@Fixflo) July 22, 2018

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Identifying Japanese Knotweed

You might be aware of the threat of Japanese Knotweed - but could you actually tell it apart from other plants? Our quiz is here to help. https://t.co/enIYabOOzy #knotweed #garden pic.twitter.com/ET4XIKHEWr

— Zoopla (@Zoopla) July 11, 2018

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How do you get a landlord to do repairs?

How do you get a landlord to do repairs? https://t.co/IHKz3hhBCw

— Guardian Money (@guardianmoney) July 7, 2018

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If a tenant lets the garden go to seed

If your tenant lets your garden go to seed, what are your rights as a landlord? https://t.co/EQruchjhCB #gardening #deposits @TenancyDeposits #lettings

— RLA Landlord News (@RLA_News) June 16, 2018

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Landlords remortgaging to renovate

Financing home improvements could boost your rent. And it looks like that's what landlords are thinking. Data shows they're financing renovations through remortgaging >> https://t.co/aU9Wr4GKDU pic.twitter.com/NEbE0r4l78

— Which? Money (@WhichMoney) April 24, 2018

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Should my tenant clear the gutters?

Call of the Week: Responsibility for clearing out guttering https://t.co/SnILUtb64R pic.twitter.com/5gRpLcK9km

— RLA Landlord News (@RLA_News) November 15, 2017

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Property buyers sues over £50k Japanese Knotweed damages

As property buyers sue over £50,000 Japanese knotweed problem, what all homeowners need to know about the plant https://t.co/KzVtKRrzJp

— Telegraph Property (@TeleProperty) October 6, 2017

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