Get Your Heating System Winter-Ready: A 6-Week Landlord’s Guide

Posted on August 26th, 2025

Winter can be a testing time for landlords. The sudden drop in temperatures often exposes weaknesses in heating systems, leading to breakdowns, emergency call-outs, and unhappy tenants.
But here’s the good news: most winter heating issues can be prevented with a little forward planning.

That’s why we’ve created our 6-Week Heating System Readiness Plan — designed specifically for UK landlords with properties that use combi or system boilers.

Why Winter Preparation Matters

When the cold hits, demand for heating engineers spikes. That means longer wait times, higher costs, and more inconvenience for you and your tenants.
By taking action in September and October, you can:

  • Avoid emergency call-outs during the busiest time of year
  • Keep tenants happy with reliable heating and hot water
  • Protect your property from damage caused by frozen pipes or leaks
  • Save money through improved efficiency and fewer breakdowns

What’s in the 6-Week Plan?

Each week, we’ll focus on one essential maintenance task. We’ll explain why it’s important, how to check it, and when to call a professional.
Here’s a preview:

  1. Run the Heating System Early
    Test the heating before winter to uncover issues while engineers are less busy.
  2. Check Boiler Pressure & Bleed Radiators
    Keep the system within its safe operating range and release trapped air from radiators to maintain efficiency.
  3. Balance Radiators & Address TRV Issues
    Ensure heat is distributed evenly across all rooms and resolve common thermostatic radiator valve faults.
  4. Position your Thermostat
    Confirm your thermostat is located in the right position, and reliably connects to its receiver and Wi-Fi.
  5. Review Heating System Data & Graphs
    Use performance data and heating graphs to identify inefficiencies or early signs of problems.
  6. Provide a Tenant Heating Guidance Pack
    Equip tenants with clear instructions to help them handle minor issues and report problems quickly.

How to Follow Along

Each week, we’ll publish:

  • A detailed blog post with practical tips
  • Social media reminders to keep you on track
  • Downloadable resources for landlords and tenants

Whether you own one rental or manage a portfolio, this plan will help you stay ahead of problems and give your tenants peace of mind.