Landlord and property maintenance guides
A useful maintenance plan connects an asset, a task, an access arrangement and a person who can act on the findings. These guides cover inspection records, quotations and the practical work of keeping properties usable.
46 guides
Articles and fault guides
Basin plug stuck closed: mechanism repair or new waste?
A basin plug stuck closed may have a clicker or linkage fault. Identify the waste type, access and compatible parts before forcing or replacing it.
Read thisBoiler frost protection in an empty home: its limits
Plan heating for an empty home without relying on boiler frost mode alone. Review supplies, exposed pipes, control settings, monitoring and access.
Read thisBooking a boiler service for business premises
Book business boiler servicing with the right appliance details, access, shutdown plan, competent engineer and maintenance records for the premises.
Read thisBuying a house: plumbing questions to resolve before completion
Plan plumbing checks before buying a house, interpret inspection limits and request the records needed to assess repairs, access and future projects.
Read thisBuild a commercial plumbing maintenance schedule that works
Create a commercial plumbing maintenance schedule with assets, tasks, access and follow-up. Separate routine checks from specialist legal requirements.
Read thisHow to plan a water shutdown for commercial plumbing work
Plan a commercial water shutdown around occupants, isolation, essential facilities and reinstatement. Includes a downloadable checklist for managed sites.
Read thisCracked toilet pan: when should it be taken out of use?
A cracked toilet pan needs its condition assessed before further use. Understand surface marks, ceramic damage, replacement fit and safe repair planning.
Read thisDo electrical alterations replace the need for an EICR?
Separate certificates for new electrical work from the condition of existing circuits. Plan refurbishment records, inspection scope and next actions.
Read thisEICR codes C1, C2, C3 and FI explained
Understand EICR codes and the 2026 change to FI, why the report edition matters and how observations differ from electrical work needed to address them.
Read thisWhat an EICR adds to a home purchase survey
Understand what an EICR adds to a home purchase survey, how access affects the findings and how to separate urgent electrical work from improvements.
Read thisEICR limitations: what was and was not inspected?
Read EICR limitations alongside the result: identify excluded areas, access restrictions and unanswered questions before using the report for a decision.
Read thisWhat evidence follows EICR remedial work?
Connect EICR remedial work to the original findings, obtain appropriate completion evidence and check the duties applying to the actual rented property.
Read thisUnsatisfactory EICR: what to do next
Received an unsatisfactory EICR? Understand C1, C2, C3 and FI, prioritise the findings and arrange remedial work with the right completion evidence.
Read thisEICR or PAT testing: which assessment answers your question?
Compare fixed wiring reports with appliance inspection and testing. Prepare a clear equipment list, define the scope and avoid the wrong assessment.
Read thisA practical plan for finding and labelling water isolation valves
Create a clear water isolation plan for your home or managed property, with valve locations, access arrangements and a practical record for future repairs.
Read thisWhich appliances should you identify when booking a gas check?
Build an accurate appliance list before a landlord gas check. Check ownership, shared equipment, flue access and differences between checks and servicing.
Read thisGas safety record and appliance installation paperwork: differences
Understand gas safety records, installation paperwork and service history. Identify missing documents and keep each record linked to the work it describes.
Read thisKeeping evidence of heating and hot-water repairs in a tenancy
Keep a clear heating and hot-water repair chronology, from the first report through access, diagnosis and completion. Separate evidence and assumptions.
Read thisPreparing tenants and the property for a landlord gas check
Prepare a landlord gas check with clear tenant arrangements, appliance access and document handling. Avoid missed rooms, incomplete scope and record gaps.
Read thisApproving a plumbing repair when the landlord is off site
Approve an off-site plumbing repair with a clear contact, investigation scope and decision process. Coordinate tenant access, findings and follow-up work.
Read thisLandlord plumbing maintenance: a practical checklist
Organise landlord plumbing maintenance with a practical checklist for leaks, heating, vacant homes, tenant access and separate gas and electrical records.
Read thisWhat to check before altering plumbing in a leasehold flat
Plan plumbing alterations in a leasehold flat by checking the lease, shared services, access and required approvals before committing to the installation.
Read thisLoose kitchen tap: fixing problem or damaged sink mounting?
A loose kitchen tap needs its mounting and supporting surface checked. Plan underside access, fixing repairs and connection checks before tightening it.
Read thisWhat to do if a landlord gas check has been missed
Respond to a missed landlord gas check with a prompt qualified appointment, truthful records and a clear access plan. See what a later check cannot fix.
Read thisWhat to pass on when a different plumber continues a repair
Prepare a clear handover when another plumber continues a repair. Record findings, temporary work, isolation, parts and the checks still outstanding.
Read thisWhat should a plumbing repair invoice describe?
Understand repair details worth keeping with a plumbing invoice: location, work, parts, checks and follow-up, without assuming one universal job format.
Read thisBuild a useful plumbing maintenance asset register
Create a plumbing asset register that connects equipment, locations, access, records and follow-up work. Download a useful CSV template for your property.
Read thisA practical plumbing maintenance scope for a small office
Define plumbing maintenance for a small office: washrooms, kitchen outlets, hot water, shared services and repair records that support daily operation.
Read thisTaking useful photographs for a plumbing repair record
Create useful plumbing repair photographs with safe exterior views, clear locations and dates, while protecting privacy and keeping observations factual.
Read thisPlanning plumbing repairs in a listed property
Plan plumbing repairs in a listed property around significant fabric, access and conservation advice, with consent questions checked before alterations.
Read thisPreparing an occupied property for an EICR
Prepare an occupied property for an EICR with clear access, electrical records and outage arrangements, leaving inspection and testing to the professional.
Read thisPull-out kitchen tap hose leaking or failing to retract
A pull-out kitchen tap hose can leak, catch or fail to retract. Identify the moving hose, compatible parts and cabinet clearance before arranging repairs.
Read thisWhy a plumbing quote may depend on opening up access
Understand a plumbing quote that depends on hidden access: define the first stage, approval points, likely disruption and responsibility for making good.
Read thisPlanning plumbing work around a restaurant service
Plan restaurant plumbing repairs around isolation, kitchen access, hygiene and service times, with clear authority and handover arrangements for the team.
Read thisSensor tap not working: what to report before a repair
A sensor tap fault can involve detection, power, controls or water supply. Gather model details and plan safe access before arranging a washroom repair.
Read thisWhen a shop toilet fails: organising the repair visit
Organise a shop toilet repair with clear symptoms, safe access and manager authority. Identify affected services and plan the handover before reopening it.
Read thisShower diverter not switching between outlets
A shower diverter fault can affect one outlet or send water to both. Check the model’s normal operation and plan compatible parts and access for repairs.
Read thisShower keeps dripping after it is switched off
A shower dripping after switch-off may be emptying retained water or leaking through a valve. Compare the pattern and arrange a model-specific repair.
Read thisLeaking shower hose: replacement and compatibility checks
A shower hose leak needs the joint and hose condition checked. Choose a compatible replacement and recognise when the shower appliance needs assessment.
Read thisWhy does the toilet cistern take so long to fill?
A toilet cistern slow to fill needs its inlet and refill behaviour checked. Separate local restrictions from water loss before choosing parts or repairs.
Read thisWhy does water splash out when the toilet flushes?
Water splashing from a toilet can involve flush delivery and pan compatibility. Plan model-specific checks without guessing at cistern settings or parts.
Read thisToilet not flushing: button, lever or cistern fault?
Toilet not flushing? Separate an empty cistern, failed button or lever and a drainage blockage, then arrange the right repair with clear access details.
Read thisWhy is the toilet pan rocking on the floor?
A rocking toilet needs its fixings, floor support and connections assessed. Understand repair options without overtightening bolts or hiding movement.
Read thisUrinal keeps flushing: control fault or normal cycle?
A urinal that keeps flushing needs its control type and operating pattern checked. Separate intended cycles from faults before changing valves or settings.
Read thisPlumbing checks before a vacant property is reoccupied
Plan plumbing checks before a vacant property is reoccupied. Review system history, leaks, water hygiene, controls and the handover needed before use.
Read thisHanding a repaired leak over to drying and reinstatement trades
Coordinate the handover from leak repair to drying and reinstatement with clear source-control records, remaining limits and agreed responsibilities.
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