How To Get Your Rented Home Ready For Winter

Winter is here, and with the drop in temperatures, renters can face challenges in keeping their homes warm, safe, and energy-efficient. Cold drafts, rising utility bills, and potential issues like frozen pipes or condensation can make the season difficult if you're unprepared. But with a few smart strategies and working with your landlord, you can get your rented property ready for winter to make it cosier, lower heating costs, and protect your property from the effects of cold weather.

Whether you're a new tenant or a seasoned renter, taking some time to winterise your home can offer several benefits. Not only can it help you save money on heating bills, but it can also make your living space more comfortable and reduce wear and tear on your rental, which could help avoid potential damage fees. And if you live in an older property, it’s especially important to make sure your home is as energy-efficient and weather-proof as possible.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get your rented home ready for winter. 

Communicate With Your Landlord

Preparing a rental property for winter is often a collaborative effort between tenants and landlords. Landlord Zone have a great guide for landlords on how to winter proof their rental properties.

Start by documenting your pre-winter inspection, taking photos and making notes of any issues such as draughty windows, plumbing concerns, or malfunctioning heating units. Share this documentation with your landlord to request repairs or additional winterisation measures, like gutter cleaning or pipe insulation. 

Understanding your rental agreement terms is also important; some landlords may require tenants to handle minor weatherproofing tasks like sealing windows, while others might take full responsibility. Clarifying these responsibilities can prevent misunderstandings. 

Furthermore, discuss any special considerations for winter maintenance, such as salt application for icy walkways or emergency contacts for heating issues. Open communication will not only help keep your rental home safe and comfortable but also ensure that both parties are aligned on expectations and responsibilities throughout the winter season.

Inspect Sealing On Windows and Doors

During winter, even minor drafts around windows and doors can make your home feel much colder and cause heating bills to skyrocket. Begin by inspecting each window and door for gaps, drafts, or leaks. You can test for drafts by holding a candle or incense stick along the edges; if the flame or smoke flickers, there’s likely an air leak. 

Check out this video on how to check for drafts around your windows.

If you suspect there are drafts coming through your windows or doors, it’s important to inform your landlord. Your landlord can assess the issue and take steps to fix it. 

Small gaps around window frames can be sealed with caulk, which provides a long-lasting solution for keeping cold air out. For doors, consider applying weather stripping around the edges to block airflow. Another effective option is window insulation film, a transparent plastic sheet that can be installed over windows to create an additional barrier against the cold. 

Installing door sweeps along the bottoms of exterior doors and adding draft stoppers for both exterior and interior doors will further protect against cold air seeping inside, helping you stay warm and save energy.

Everest shares practical tips on insulating windows for winter, helping reduce heat loss and energy bills. Learn about sealing gaps, adding glazing, and using thermal curtains in their guide.

Check The Heating System

Maintaining the heating system in a rental home is essential for ensuring comfort, safety, and energy efficiency throughout the winter months. A well-functioning heating system not only keeps your home warm but also helps manage energy bills, which can climb during the colder season.

Start by checking that the thermostat is functioning properly. If your landlord allows it, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat, which can be a cost-effective way to manage heating. These devices enable you to set precise heating schedules, ensuring the system works efficiently while you’re at home but conserves energy when you’re asleep or out. Many smart thermostats also allow remote control through apps, giving you flexibility and further savings.

Since renters often cannot perform heating system maintenance themselves, it’s important to contact your landlord early in the season to request a professional inspection or servicing. This proactive approach ensures that any potential issues—such as inefficient operation, strange noises, or safety hazards—are resolved before winter’s coldest days. Regular servicing not only helps keep the system running smoothly but may also prevent costly repairs down the line.

For additional warmth, consider using a supplemental heater for targeted heating, particularly if you spend most of your time in one room. Portable heaters can be an efficient way to avoid heating the entire home unnecessarily, but they must be used with care. Follow key safety guidelines, such as keeping heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials like curtains, bedding, or furniture. Never leave a portable heater unattended or running overnight, and make sure it has safety features like tip-over protection and an automatic shutoff.

You can find a variety of electric heaters at places like B&Q, including fan heaters, oil-filled radiators, and more. Visit their range at B&Q Electric Heaters.

By ensuring that your heating system is in top condition and using supplemental heating wisely, you can stay warm and comfortable during the winter while keeping safety and efficiency a priority.
 

Prepare Plumbing And Pipes

Frozen pipes are a common winter problem in the U.K., often resulting in costly repairs and significant water damage. However, by taking proactive steps, you can protect your home from this seasonal risk. 

Begin by inspecting exposed pipes, particularly those in unheated areas like basements, lofts, garages, or external walls. These pipes are especially vulnerable to freezing. If you’re concerned about any piping or plumbing issues during winter, inform your landlord who will be able to organise an inspection.

Wrapping them in foam sleeves or pipe lagging, which are affordable and readily available at DIY stores, adds a layer of insulation. For areas prone to extreme cold, consider using heat tape, which provides additional protection by actively warming the pipes.

Places like Tool Station are a good place to find these sort of pipe foam insulation and heat tape. 

When temperatures are forecast to plummet, it’s wise to take extra precautions. Leaving a slow drip of water running from one or two taps helps keep water moving through the pipes, which reduces the risk of freezing. While it may seem counterintuitive, this small water flow can prevent much more costly repairs.

Another preventative measure is ensuring your water heater is set to an optimal temperature, generally around 49°C (120°F). This setting provides sufficient hot water for daily use without wasting energy or increasing the risk of scalding. Regular maintenance of your water heater is also key to ensuring its efficiency during the colder months.

Lastly, take time to locate your main water shut-off valve and ensure you know how to operate it. In the unfortunate event that a pipe does burst, quickly turning off the water supply can significantly minimise flooding and damage. Familiarising yourself with this essential feature of your home is particularly important for renters, as every property may have its shut-off valve in a different location.

Maximise Heat Efficiency 

Staying warm during the colder months isn’t just about generating heat; it’s equally about retaining it. Taking steps to insulate and manage your home effectively can make a significant difference in comfort and energy efficiency.

One practical measure is investing in thick curtains with thermal linings. These not only enhance the aesthetic of your home but also provide an additional layer of insulation over windows, which are a primary source of heat loss. By reducing heat transfer and blocking drafts, thermal curtains can help maintain a consistent indoor temperature, making them particularly valuable for rental properties where permanent modifications might not be allowed.

Another essential tip is to ensure that no furniture, such as sofas or cabinets, is blocking your radiators. Clear radiators allow warm air to circulate freely, helping rooms heat up more evenly and efficiently. This simple adjustment can make a noticeable difference in how quickly and effectively your space warms up.

Additionally, make a habit of closing the doors to unused rooms. This prevents heat from dissipating into areas you don’t use often, ensuring that warmth is concentrated where you need it most. It also reduces the workload on your heating system, enabling it to operate more efficiently and helping to keep energy bills under control.

By combining these small but effective strategies, you can stay comfortable through the winter while managing energy consumption—a win-win for your comfort and your wallet.

Check Safety Equipment

With the increased use of heating equipment during winter, it’s essential to make sure that your safety devices are in good working order. Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your rental home; these are often located in bedrooms, hallways, and common areas. Check the batteries in each detector and replace them if they are low or nearing their expiration date. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can accumulate if heating appliances malfunction, posing a deadly risk. 
 

Landlords are generally responsible for installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in rental properties. Typically, there must be a smoke alarm on each floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with solid fuel-burning appliances, such as wood stoves. Some areas also require carbon monoxide alarms for gas appliances like boilers. Landlords must ensure alarms are working at the start of the tenancy, while tenants are usually responsible for replacing batteries and reporting issues. Find out more about landlord responsibilities with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Keeping fire extinguishers, especially in the kitchen and near any heating devices, provides an additional layer of safety. Finally, consider putting together an emergency kit with essentials such as flashlights, batteries, blankets, a first aid kit, and a battery-powered radio to be prepared for winter power outages, which can happen more frequently during the colder months.
 

Outdoor Preparation

Winterising the exterior of your rental home is just as crucial as preparing the interior, as it helps prevent damage and ensures safety during the colder months. Taking the time to address these outdoor tasks can save you from costly repairs and potential hazards.

Start by speaking to your landlord about clearing any debris from gutters, including leaves, sticks, and dirt. Clogged gutters can lead to the formation of ice dams, which occur when melted snow refreezes at the roof’s edge. These dams can block proper drainage, causing water to back up under the shingles and result in leaks that are both disruptive and expensive to fix. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the gutters before winter sets in can prevent these issues.

Next, focus on protecting your outdoor furniture and equipment. Harsh weather conditions such as frost, snow, and heavy rain can cause rust, cracking, or general wear and tear. Store lightweight items like chairs and cushions in a shed or garage if possible, or cover them securely with weatherproof materials to extend their lifespan.

Pay special attention to garden hoses and external taps. Disconnect hoses from outdoor taps to prevent trapped water from freezing inside and causing pipes to burst, which can result in significant water damage. Consider installing insulated covers over exposed taps for extra protection.

For safety, take steps to maintain clear and non-slippery access to your home. If your rented home has pathways, steps, or driveways, ensure they are well-prepared for winter. Place a sturdy doormat at the entrance to help minimise the snow, mud, and water tracked indoors, which can create slippery floors. Keep a bag of salt, sand, or grit readily available for de-icing walkways and steps. Regularly sprinkling these materials during icy weather helps prevent accidents and ensures the safety of both you and your visitors.

By winterising the exterior of your rental property, you can minimise weather-related damage, ensure safe access, and make your home more resilient against the challenges of winter.