A freezing January morning is not the ideal time to discover your boiler has stopped working. Nor is finding a patch of mould behind the sofa just as the temperature drops outside.
Winter brings its own set of challenges for rented homes across South East London. From period conversions in Bermondsey and Peckham to modern apartments around Canada Water and Surrey Quays, every property is different — but a little preparation, clear communication and knowing when to ask for help can make the colder months much easier.
At Alex & Matteo Estate Agents, we work with tenants and landlords across this part of London, and our property management team knows how important it is to spot maintenance problems early. Here’s our practical guide to what you can safely check yourself, what to report and how to keep your home comfortable throughout winter.
You don’t need to be a DIY expert to notice early warning signs. Before the weather turns particularly cold, take a few minutes to check whether the heating responds to the thermostat, the radiators warm up, and the hot water runs normally.
While you’re looking around, notice any dripping pipes, damaged window seals, extractor fans that have stopped working or draughts that seem unusually severe. Familiarise yourself with the water stopcock if it’s accessible, and keep the repair and emergency contact details supplied with your tenancy handy.
If something isn’t right, photograph it and report it. The sooner your landlord or managing agent knows, the better the chance of resolving a small problem before it becomes a disruptive one.
Losing heating or hot water is stressful at any time of year, but especially during a cold spell. If your boiler stops working, there are a few straightforward checks you can make without touching any internal parts.
Some sealed heating systems lose pressure occasionally. If the boiler display or pressure gauge shows a low reading, check its manual for the correct range and the manufacturer’s repressurising instructions. Many domestic boilers operate at around 1–1.5 bar when cold, but this is not a universal setting.
If you cannot identify the correct pipework and controls, feel unsure, see a leak, or the pressure repeatedly drops, stop and contact your property manager or landlord. Never adjust gas pipes or valves. This is an optional basic check, not something tenants are expected to attempt.
Helpful video: First Fix Heating – how to repressurise a boiler (opens on YouTube). Only follow instructions applicable to your own boiler and tenancy arrangements.
Still no heating or hot water? Contact the person or team responsible for maintenance under your tenancy. Explain when the problem started, whether both heating and hot water are affected, and what the display says. For properties under Alex & Matteo’s full management service, tenants should use the reporting and emergency contact arrangements provided to them.
Landlords are generally responsible for maintaining fixed heating and hot-water installations in rented homes in England. If you smell gas, leave the property, avoid using electrical switches or flames and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 from a safe location. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air and seek urgent medical assistance. Never try to troubleshoot a possible gas or carbon monoxide emergency.
A cold bedroom radiator can make a noticeable difference on a winter evening. Before assuming the heating system has failed, check whether the thermostatic radiator valve is turned down and whether the central heating is running.
If a radiator is cold at the top but warm at the bottom, trapped air may be the cause. Bleeding can be a straightforward maintenance task where your tenancy arrangements allow it and you feel comfortable doing so. Follow any instructions for your heating system, and do not force a stuck or damaged valve.
Do not attempt this if the radiator is very hot, the valve looks damaged, water is leaking, or you are unsure how the system works. Ask your landlord or managing agent for guidance if needed; report radiators that remain cold, leak or repeatedly need bleeding.
Helpful video: Worcester Bosch – how to bleed a radiator (opens on YouTube). Only attempt this if your tenancy arrangements permit it and you feel confident.
Try not to block radiators with furniture or cover them with wet laundry. Good airflow helps rooms warm evenly and reduces moisture build-up.
A little water on a bedroom window in the morning is a familiar winter sight, but condensation shouldn’t be ignored when it becomes excessive or persistent. It happens when moisture in the air meets a colder surface, such as glass, an external wall or a poorly ventilated corner.
Our property manager’s supporting guidance highlights three key factors: ventilation, insulation and reasonably consistent heating. Tenants can often help with the first and with everyday moisture control; defects with insulation, windows or ventilation should be raised with the landlord or property manager.
A dehumidifier can be helpful, but it isn’t a cure for a leak, failed extractor fan or poorly insulated wall. You should not be expected to fix a building defect by buying equipment or keeping the heating on constantly.
Not all damp is condensation. A leak from plumbing, defective roof covering or water entering through damaged brickwork can create similar-looking symptoms. A black patch by a window, peeling paint or staining after rain can each offer clues, but none is a reliable diagnosis on its own.
If you discover mould or persistent damp, take photographs, make a note of where and when it appears, and raise the issue promptly. Mention if anyone in the household is experiencing health problems that may be affected. Damp and mould should be assessed seriously, not dismissed as the result of how someone lives.
For very limited surface mould, follow appropriate safety and cleaning guidance only if it’s safe to do so. Avoid dry-brushing mould or mixing cleaning chemicals. If mould keeps returning, spreads or is extensive, it needs proper investigation and treatment of the underlying moisture source.
This is where responsive property management matters: a report should lead to an assessment of the cause, not simply a suggestion to open a window. Alex & Matteo’s full management service includes a dedicated property manager and coordination with local contractors when maintenance needs attention.
There is a useful distinction between taking reasonable care of the home and fixing something that has gone wrong with the property itself. As a tenant, you should use fixtures sensibly, keep the property reasonably clean, report problems promptly and allow appropriate access for agreed repairs. Landlords generally have responsibility for the structure, exterior and fixed installations for heating, hot water and sanitation.
Here’s a quick reference for the issues tenants most often notice in winter:
| Winter issue | Safe first step | When to report it |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler or hot water | Check controls and fault code; if confident, follow boiler manual to check/top up low pressure | No heating or hot water, leaks, recurring pressure loss or unresolved faults |
| Cold radiator | Check valve settings; if appropriate and safe, bleed trapped air from a cool radiator | Leaks, persistent cold spots, damaged valves or repeat problems |
| Condensation | Ventilate moisture-producing rooms and wipe wet surfaces | Persistent condensation, cold rooms or broken extraction |
| Damp or mould | Photograph and record when it appears | Report promptly, particularly if spreading or recurrent |
A useful maintenance report doesn’t need to be lengthy. Give the full property address, describe the problem in plain English, say when it began and add photographs or an appliance error code. Tell the team clearly if there’s a loss of heating, hot water or another immediate safety concern.
Alex & Matteo offers different lettings services, so your repair contact will depend on whether the home is managed by their team or directly by the landlord. For fully managed homes, the agency provides a dedicated property manager, maintenance coordination and a monitored emergency line. Use the specific contact details given to you for your tenancy, particularly out of hours, rather than assuming a general enquiry is an emergency report.
Keep a record of what you’ve reported and any updates. If a contractor needs to attend, being clear about access arrangements can also help move matters along.
Whether you’re renting a Victorian conversion in Peckham or a riverside apartment in Rotherhithe, winter property care works best when everyone knows their part. Tenants can spot changes and take sensible everyday precautions; landlords and managing agents need to respond to faults and tackle the causes of significant problems.
At Alex & Matteo Estate Agents, we’re proud to be an independent South East London agency that values straightforward conversations and lasting relationships. If your home is managed by our team, don’t leave a worrying maintenance issue to get worse: use your normal repairs contact or the emergency arrangements we’ve provided. If you’re a landlord looking for a more hands-on approach to property management, explore our lettings and management services to see how we can help.
Check the boiler’s user manual and, only if you feel confident and can identify the correct filling controls, follow its instructions to top up to the specified cold pressure. If pressure keeps dropping, there is a leak, or you are uncertain, report it to the responsible property manager or landlord.
Mould has several possible causes, including inadequate ventilation, leaks and building defects. It shouldn’t automatically be blamed on tenant habits. Report it so the cause can be properly assessed and addressed.
No. Use suitable ventilation when producing moisture, including extractor fans and trickle vents where fitted, while keeping your home reasonably warm. Report defective windows or ventilation.
Not necessarily. Alex & Matteo provides different levels of lettings service, including full management. Your tenancy information should explain who handles maintenance and how to report emergencies.
Alex & Matteo team