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As a tenant your repair responsibilities in your home are pretty minimal. Typically, your obligations include using your home in a ‘tenant like manner’, promptly reporting any issues to your landlord or agent, and allowing access to your home for any repair work, whilst providing a duty of care to any tradespeople whilst they’re in your home. But let's face it - sometimes it's easier to avoid the hassle of reporting a job, waiting for arrangements, and dealing with interruptions during repairs. The good news? Maintenance doesn’t have to be scary! There are simple tasks you can tackle yourself, and we're here to show you how…if you're brave enough?

Fuses

If you've had a power outage it could be because the fuse box has tripped. This is easily fixed by finding the breaker switch that's tripped to the 'off' position. A quick flick back on and you'll be back in business, easy-peasy. If the same fuse keeps tripping, it may be that an appliance is the issue. If the appliance is your own, you will be responsible for fixing it, however, if it’s the landlords then you should report it to them to arrange a repair/replacement. 

Lightbulbs

You can safely change burnt out lightbulbs yourself, and it is your duty to do so in many AST’s, here's how:

• Turn off the power and let the bulb cool.
• Gently unscrew the old bulb and remove. Or if it's a bayonet style, hold the bulb whilst gently pushing upwards, then turn anticlockwise and pull very lightly down to remove.
• Screw in the new bulb. Or if it's a bayonet style insert it in reverse of how you removed the old one.
• Switch the power back on and Voilà

If it’s more complicated to get to the bulb, you need a special tool to remove them, or they’re in a difficult to reach location, it may be worth asking you landlord or agent to get a professional in to do it safely.

Batteries

Batteries in TV remotes, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms etc. are usually the tenant’s responsibility to replace. Locate where the batteries are held in the item, remove them and then replace them with the same type. Dispose of old batteries by recycling them at your local supermarket or recycling point.

Appliances

By regularly cleaning your washing machine, dishwasher, oven and other appliances you can remove all the nasty stains, dirt, mould, and bacteria, that build up, keeping your machine working more efficiently and longer lasting.  Whether the appliance is yours or provided by your landlord, keeping it clean is key to being a perfect tenant.

Check Alarms

Test your smoke and CO alarms at least once a month—it's a quick task that could save your life! Set a reminder in your calendar to press the ‘test’ button until the alarm sounds. If it doesn’t sound you need to replace the batteries, and if it starts beeping on a regular basis, swap the battery immediately. For alarms with no battery access, replace them by the expiry date, usually written somewhere on the alarm, and never disconnect or remove batteries. You should give your alarms a quick vacuum or dust every few months to avoid false alarms.

Limescale

Limescale can be a real pain, especially in hard-water areas such as Bath. However, keeping on top of it will mean your appliances will work more effectively and last a lot longer. There are a few ways to prevent and remove it:

• A white vinegar and water solution – either let it sit in an effected area or soak a rag in the solution and wrap that round the limescale for a few hours. Then you should be able to more easily scrub it away.
• Lemon Juice – Use the same method as above but with juice from a lemon rather than vinegar. You can also add lemon to sitting water to avoid limescale forming.
• Baking Soda – The king of at home cleaning products, mix one cup of baking soda with two cups of warm water to create a paste. Then apply the mixture to scrub limescale from surfaces like shower heads and taps.
• Limescale Remover – Can be purchased from most supermarkets, just make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle.

If you’re really struggling with limescale the property may benefit from a water softener, which is something you’ll need to discuss with your landlord or agent.  

Touch-up Sealant

If you’ve got some worn-out or cracked sealant then a quick touch-up can give your home a fresh, clean finish.

• First, grab a scraper and remove the old sealant (it’s oddly satisfying!).
• If it was mouldy, or looks like it needs it, clean the surface with mould remover, rinse it off and allow it to dry
• Then apply the new sealant with a caulking gun and use a wet finger or a sealant tool to smooth it out for that pro look.
• Let it dry, and boom - good as new!

You should work from one end of the tiled wall to the other and try to keep a steady pressure and speed when you're applying the new sealant.

Unblocking

Prevention is better than cure, so avoid blocked drains by using drain catchers in your kitchens and bathrooms, don’t pour grease down the kitchen sink, and don’t flush any products that you’re not supposed to down the loo. Regularly clean drains by pouring boiling water down them, followed by using specific cleaning products. If you find yourself with a blockage, try using a store-bought drain un-blocker product, or a plunger. If that still hasn’t sorted the issue, then it may be a more serious problem that a professional will be able to diagnose.

Mould, mildew & condensation

Left untreated condensation, mildew and mould can quickly become a health hazard, and as a tenant you must do your part to reduce this as much as possible. You should always:

• Report any leaks.
• Dry clothes in ventilated rooms and not on radiators.
• Keep doors closed in bathrooms and kitchens when taking a bath/shower or cooking.
• Use extractor fans or cooker hoods wherever possible.
• Air the property regularly by opening windows a little every day.
• Use a dehumidifier or damp trap.
• Wipe away any condensation when it appears.
• If you’ve got a green thumb, grow some moisture-absorbing plants.
• Don’t overstuff your property and avoid pushing furniture against walls.
• Turn your heating on.
• Clean away any mould that starts to form promptly, by making a bleach solution using 1-part bleach and 3-parts water, scrub away the effected area, then let it dry.

Your landlord also has a duty of care to prevent mould and mildew forming, so if you’re doing all of the above and it’s still not helping, then it may be up to your landlord to make some changes to the property.  

Grouting

Keep your grout gleaming throughout your tenancy to avoid any potential deposit deductions once it comes to an end. You can keep you tiles looking fresh and clean by regularly scrubbing using a toothbrush as soon as you see any discolouration start to appear. Either use a store-bought cleaner, or use baking soda, leave it to sit, then spray with white vinegar to remove. Keeping the grout clean not only brightens up your space but also makes you look like a 5-star tenant during any property checks.

Re-grouting isn’t a difficult task either, but is a little more risky and requires a few more tools, so to avoid getting charged for accidentally damaging any of the tiles, it may be best to get a professional in.

Radiators

Bleeding radiators will release trapped air and ensure your heating system keeps running efficiently, and better yet it’s easy to do! You can identify if a radiator needs bleeding by feeling them for cold spots or listening for gurgling sounds, then:

• Make sure the heating is off, and the radiator isn’t hot.
• Prepare for drips by placing a towel or cloth underneath the bleed valve (usually located on the side of the radiator and hexagonal or square in shape), to catch any water.
• Use a radiator key to open the valve by slowly turning it counterclockwise. You should hear a hissing sound as the air escapes.
• Once the hissing sound stops and water starts to trickle out, close the valve by turning the key clockwise, and tighten up.
• Turn your heating back on and make sure the radiators are heating up properly. 

If the heating still isn’t working as you’d expect there may be a more complex problem that a plumber will need to investigate.

Filters/Vents

Keep your space fresh and clean, by regularly changing your air vent filters which can improve air quality. In between filter changes, vacuum and dust your vents and fans to make them last as long as possible. And for cooker hoods, get rid of the grease by simply wiping it off with warm soapy water.

Wall Touch-Ups

You will always get a bit of wear and tear throughout any tenancy but keep on top of it yourself by patching any small holes. To do this:

• Scrape out any loose material from the hole.
• Apply a spackling paste over the hole.
• Very gently sand it so that it’s flush and blends in with the wall.
• If needed, apply another layer and repeat the process.

 Finish by touching-up any area that could do with a lick of paint – as long as you know the correct paint colour.

Tightening Fixtures

Whether it’s a wobbly cupboard door, a loose curtain pole, or an unstable toilet seat, tightening screws, bolts, and other fixtures is super easy. You just need the right tool, which are usually easy and cheap to pick up from your local DIY store and is something handy to have for the future. It should be just a simple task of tightening the screw holding the item in place.

Draught-proofing

If most of your home is already draught-proofed, keeping the cold out should be a breeze! Here are a few quick fixes:

• Apply Silicone Caulk filler to seal any gaps that have appeared.
• Use draught snakes placed around windowsills, or doors.
• Invest in letterbox seals or keyhole covers to keep the warmth in.

There are also draught-proofing strips available usually made of self-adhesive foam or plastic that aren’t too difficult to install, however if they’re not already in place it would always be worth checking with your landlord first.

Hinges

Fix a squeaky hinge by applying a lubricant. Common effective lubricants include:

• A lithium grease or silicone spray such as WD40
• A bar of soap
• Hairspray
• Olive oil
• Petroleum jelly such as Vaseline

If none of these work there may be a bigger problem afoot, and it would be best to report it before any damage is caused, or the squeak causes you to lose your mind.

Gutters

If your gutters are easy to reach and safe to access, give them a good clear-out from leaves and debris, then hose them down to flush out the gunk. A quick clean once or twice a year should do the trick, depending on where you live. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself then always put in a request to your landlord or letting agent and let them handle it.

Garden

Weed It Out! Keep your pathways, driveways, and garden areas looking sharp by clearing out those pesky weeds.  A little weed-whacking can make a big difference in your outdoor space—plus, your garden will thank you. Keep the lawn mowed, bushes trimmed, and leaves raked. In the Autumn and winter months store/protect any outdoor furniture or items from the bad weather. Who knew a bit of garden TLC could be so satisfying?

When it comes to minor repairs tenants can be liable for any damages caused, so the general rule is only do things you are comfortable in doing e.g. most tenants will be able to bleed a radiator, not all will be able to clear the gutter. Your tenancy agreement should indicate what maintenance you are responsible for, but even then, if you’re not comfortable doing it then always speak to your letting agent or landlord, they’ll probably be able to give you the details of a competent person who can help if they don’t arrange it themselves. Just make sure to report any jobs that need doing promptly to save them from getting any worse or causing more damage.