10 tips for a happy and peaceful 2025
For landlords, the new year is a great time to start as you mean to go on. It’s an opportunity to check in with your tenants after the holiday season and set the tone for the coming year. They may have spent more time at home during the holidays and noticed issues that need attention. Or perhaps they’ve been away, leaving the property empty when some damage can happen unexpectedly. Either way, the winter weather and festivities can take their toll on your rental property, so now is a good time to reach out and nip any issues in the bud before they escalate.
Suzy Hershman, Resolution Department Lead at mydeposits, offers her ten top tips for a happy and peaceful new year for you and your tenants.
1. Wish your tenants a happy new year! By connecting with your tenants at the beginning of the year you will be getting off to a good start, and your tenants will feel more comfortable reaching out to you if there are any issues needing your attention. Why not send them a card wishing them a happy new year and reminding them to get in touch with you if there is anything they need? Communication is key to a successful tenancy, and the post-festive period is a great opportunity to make a positive impression and spread good cheer just by connecting. Keeping lines of communication open is the best way to maintain a good relationship, enabling you to resolve any problems as they happen so that they don’t escalate.
2. Remind your tenants how to keep their home and themselves warm during colder weather. For landlord insurance purposes, the property needs to be maintained at a minimum temperature of 12 to 15°C. This should prevent the pipes from bursting, even when it is empty. But to avoid health problems, the Met Office advises that a home should be heated to a temperature of at least 18°C. This is particularly important for people with reduced mobility, those over 65 or who have a health condition. Signpost your tenants to the Met Office website and Help for Households on GOV.UK for more information on keeping their home warm and the support that is available to help with energy and other costs. Money Saving Expert’s blog, ‘Energy mythbusting’ is a useful round up of some of the most common energy saving myths and misconceptions, as well as some ‘quick tricks’ to reduce energy usage and save money on energy bills.
3. Check with your tenants if there are any new leaks or draughts. After cold weather there is a greater risk of cracks around the windows, doors and pipes, so now is a good time to check whether your tenants have spotted anything new. Draughtproofing the doors and windows is a cheap and efficient way to keep warm air in and cold air out, helping to reduce your tenants’ heating bills and keeping them cosy. You or your tenants should look around the property checking for any uncovered gaps to the outside, for example windows and doors, keyholes, letterboxes, fireplaces and loft hatches. It’s important to maintain some airflow for ventilation, particularly in areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. You could offer to provide draft excluders to use underneath doors to keep the cold air at bay, and you can even buy letterbox draught excluders if you can feel cold air coming in. Which? provides lots of useful tips in their blog, ‘How to draughtproof your home’.
4. Prepare for the introduction of the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law. The Renters’ Rights Bill is likely to come into force in 2025, creating a legally binding, enforceable standard and strict new legal timeframes for landlords to investigate and fix reported serious health hazards, such as damp and mould. Government guidance on damp and mould in the home, emphasises that landlords must take a proactive approach to reduce the risk of damp and mould. It’s up to you to make sure that you understand the condition of your rental property and deal with ventilation, energy efficiency and building deficiencies. The onus is firmly on landlords, not tenants, to deal with the underlying causes of damp and mould, including supporting tenants to understand what they can do to prevent it. To help you, mydeposits has created advice for you to share with your tenants including a tenant information infographic full of handy tips like not drying washing on radiators, as well as a guide for landlords.
5. Ask your tenants if there has been any damage or problems over the holiday period. At this time of year there can be higher potential than normal for damage resulting in the need for repairs, particularly if tenants have spent more time at home than usual, or perhaps been joined by family and friends for some festive celebrations. At mydeposits, over a third of claims are for repairs and redecoration. From inevitable spillages that might have stained the carpet, to holes where drawing pins have been used to secure decorations, and even damage to the hob. It’s worth asking your tenants whether any repairs are needed so that they can be dealt with before they escalate.
6. Clear away leaves around the property. During the winter fallen leaves can build up, clumping together as they become soaked with rain, often causing drains and gutters to become blocked. The pressure from the build-up of leaves and standing water can also cause moisture to penetrate the property, causing damp and even leaks. Leaves can also be a trip hazard for you or your tenants. So, it’s important to make sure all leaves are regularly cleared away, paying particular attention to those around drains and gutters. Make sure your tenant knows to notify you or your agent if there are any problems with gutters or drains so they can be dealt with before causing significant damage. Read our article, ‘How can deposits protect your property from damage over winter’ for more seasonal tips.
7. Consider carrying out an inspection. Check how long it is since you’ve done an inspection. This is the best way to make sure that your tenants are looking after the property and meeting all their responsibilities. Our NRLA guide to periodic property inspections explains why inspections are so important, how and when they should be carried out and what should be checked during an inspection. The new year is a good opportunity to check in after the holiday season – it’s a chance to remind tenants of how they should be looking after the property and offers an opportunity for all parties to ask questions and discuss any issues with the property. Cleaning is consistently the most common reason for claims against the deposit, so gently remind your tenants to make sure the oven is clean if it’s had heavy use over the festive period, and that they are keeping on top of the cleaning generally. NRLA and mydeposits insurance partner, Total Landlord, provides some useful advice in their blog, including a cleaning checklist for landlords and tenants.
8. Check if your tenant has brought any new pets into the property. Despite the iconic slogan, ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’, pets remain a popular present. But with one study revealing that nearly a third of pet owning tenants in the UK have been hiding their pets from their landlords for over three years, could your tenant be concealing a pet? While many landlords worry about the additional wear and tear that pets can cause, once the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law, tenants will have the right to request permission to keep a pet and landlords will be unable to withhold consent unless the pet is unsuitable for the property. It is likely that landlords will be able to request that their tenant take out pet insurance or reimburse the landlord for any resulting costs. What’s more, renting to pet owners can be beneficial to landlords - research from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home shows that, on average, landlords can expect to gain more financially from renting to tenants with pets than they spend on associated expenses. Find out more about Total Landlord’s pet damage protection and what the Renters’ Rights Bill means for renting to tenants with pets.
9. Respond promptly to your tenants. If you do get any feedback from your tenants, whether it’s relating to damage to the property or any other concern, aim to respond within 24 hours and make every effort to sort it out as soon as possible. Make sure your tenants know how to contact you in an emergency and if there is a maintenance emergency or a safety concern, prioritise it and respond as soon as possible.
10. Get landlord insurance! Some of the most common hazards at this time of year are down to the elements and are nobody’s fault, which is why it’s essential to have not just a deposit, but comprehensive landlord insurance cover in case the damage exceeds the maximum deposit amount.
The start of a new year offers landlords a valuable opportunity to strengthen their relationships with tenants and make sure their properties are well maintained. By engaging in open communication, dealing with potential issues proactively, and staying informed about legal and seasonal considerations, landlords can create a harmonious environment that benefits both parties. From safeguarding against winter hazards to preparing for upcoming regulations, these ten tips provide a practical roadmap for a successful and stress-free year ahead.
