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Landlord and letting agent lockout callouts are one of the most common issues – not to mention costly! Fortunately, many of them are avoidable with some simple systems.

Include Spare Keys in the Move-in Process

First week: hand out spares or encourage tenants to get a spare cut. This is a small price to pay versus an emergency call-out.

The key handover checklist must be unambiguous

Check-in should confirm how many keys were given out and what for (front/back door, window locks, communal doors). Make sure it is signed by the tenant and landlord.

Use good locks (not cheap ones that can be compromised easily!)

Old cylinders and economy locks are prone to jamming or breaking. Use a higher grade cylinder for high turnover properties and take note of the lock type so replacing is quick. For a Locksmith Cheltenham, consider //besecure-locksmiths.co.uk/

Introduce a keysafe

It may not be imperative, but for some properties, a key safe will save you emergency visits when there is no other solution. Change the code between tenancies.

Reduce door misalignment issues

The entrance doors falling or perhaps swelling will become a headache when the key refuses to turn in the lock. Inspect hinges, handles, and strike plates regularly, in particular after winter.

Manage out-of-hours support expectations

Tenants need to know all the emergency call-out services, as well as what constitutes an emergency. Everyone needs a one-page lockout policy. Clamp down on panicked late-night calls with these preventative measures. It’s as simple as just this!

A reliable locksmith is your first go-to

Selecting a pre-screened local locksmith ensures quicker arrival times and less shock with the final bill.

Also called the building works stage, once you’re ready to build this is when either you go out to tender with your architect-led tenders where quotes are managed by your architect or; engage builders directly and seek your own contractors. You could go either way – it depends on your budget, timeline and how safe you feel with detailed management.

What is an architect-led tender?

This is the process where your architect assembles a comprehensive tender pack (drawings, specification and other key information), sends it to appropriate contractors, responds to queries and assists you in comparing like-for-like quotes. For a Monmouth Architect, visit www.hillsandcompany.co.uk

Pros

Accurate pricing – Builders are quoting from the same information.

Less surprises – A better spec means fewer omitted items, and vague allowances.

Comparing apples to apples – You can see what is included (and not), at a glance.

Time-saving: less chasing, fewer misunderstandings.

Cons

Professional costs: you pay the architect fees

Tendering can be time-consuming, it’s a process not one quick phone call

So what does this process of you getting quotes yourself look like?

You go to builders, show them what you have (sometimes just some plans), and get cost proposals.

Pros

Seems faster: you can jump into conversations right away.

Reduced initial cost: No tender management fees.

More direct face time: some clients like in-person negotiations.

Cons

Difficult to compare: the quotes could have different assumptions.

More admin: you will be putting in the hours replying to queries and running after drafts.

A practical middle ground

For the budget-conscious, we suggest going to your architect and asking for a light touch tender: this means an even tighter specification with only 3 suggestions of which builders it goes out to (instead you decide) not full management.

We are all trying to save on our energy bills, so identifying where and how heat is being lost in a home is useful. Here’s how you can spot heat loss in your home.

Insulation

If you have little to no insulation, it’s likely you’re losing a substantial amount of heat. A typical uninsulated home loses about 25% of heat through the roof and 33% through the floor.

Heat can also be lost through windows and doors, vents and chimneys and through gaps and cracks. If you do have insulation,

Visual check

To start, look around your home for any signs of heat loss, such as draughts near window and door edges and condensation on windows. Also check for any gaps under electrical outlets, pipes and doors. If you have spotlights in a room, these can let out heat from it into the cold space above, so you can install downlight covers to fill any gaps between the plasterboard and light fitting. These can be obtained from suppliers such as https://www.thermahooddirect.com.

DIY test

You don’t need fancy equipment to find heat loss. As well as feeling for cold spots and air from draughts, you can use a candle or an incense stick near doors and windows to see where the flame flickers to identify air leaks. If you want something more technical, some smartphones can download a thermal imaging app for detecting cold spots around windows and on walls.

For a more detailed evaluation, you can hire a professional to do an energy audit.