Home Maintenance Checklist

What is on this list, and what is not :

Everything here either prevents water damage, keeps heating safe and efficient, or catches a fault before it spreads. Decorating, upgrades and renovations are left off; this is about protecting what you already have. Jobs that need a professional, such as gas appliance servicing, appear as booking reminders rather than instructions. Anything involving ladders, roofs or electrics should be left to someone qualified if you are not confident doing it safely.

The thing most often missed :

The gutters, twice. Most people clear them in spring, but the autumn clear after the leaves come down is the one that matters, because blocked gutters through winter overflow down walls and into brickwork. It is easy to skip because nothing looks wrong until there is a damp patch indoors.

A habit that makes it work :

Write the date and anything you noticed beside each item as you tick it. A year of short notes tells you when the boiler was last serviced, which window seal is getting worse, and what to mention to a surveyor if you ever sell.

The full list :

6 sections and 38 items to start from. All of it is editable in the checklist above.

Monthly

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Clean or check extractor fan filters
• Run water in unused taps and showers
• Check for drips under sinks
• Pour hot water down slow drains

Spring

• Check roof for slipped or missing tiles
• Clear gutters and downpipes after winter
• Look for new cracks in walls and render
• Service the lawnmower
• Check window and door seals
• Clean outdoor furniture
• Wash out water butts

Summer

• Treat fences and sheds
• Repaint flaking window frames
• Check decking for loose or rotten boards
• Trim plants away from walls and roof
• Clean air vents and air bricks
• Check loft for signs of pests

Autumn

• Clear gutters once the leaves have fallen
• Book the boiler or furnace service
• Bleed radiators
• Sweep the chimney if you use it
• Insulate exposed outdoor pipes
• Drain and store garden hoses
• Check draught excluders

Winter

• Know where the stopcock is and test it
• Keep heating low but on when away
• Check the loft for leaks after storms
• Clear snow and ice from paths safely
• Watch for condensation and mould
• Keep gutters clear of ice build-up

Yearly

• Get the boiler or heating system serviced
• Test the fuse box RCD trip switch
• Check sealant around bath and shower
• Replace alarm batteries
• Check the condition of the roof and chimney
• Review home insurance and update inventory
• Clean the tumble dryer vent duct