Moving home? A heating and safety checklist for your first week

When you move into a new home, it is easy to assume the heating and safety systems are in good order. A few checks in the first week can save money and give you peace of mind.

Boiler and heating

• Find the boiler, its make, model and age, and ask the seller or landlord for its service history.

• Book a service if there is no record of one in the last 12 months.

• Check the boiler pressure and learn how to top it up.

• Bleed any radiators that are cold at the top.

• Set up the thermostat and heating schedule to suit your routine.

Gas safety

• Find the gas meter and the emergency control valve.

• Make sure there is a working carbon monoxide alarm near every gas appliance.

• Note the National Gas Emergency Service number: 0800 111 999.

Electrics

• Find the consumer unit and check it is labelled.

• Test smoke alarms on every floor.

• If the installation looks old or there is no recent certificate, consider an Electrical Installation Condition Report.

Water

• Find the internal stopcock and check it turns.

• Look under sinks and around the boiler for signs of leaks.

• If you have a hot water cylinder, find out whether it is vented or unvented and when it was last checked.

Book a check

The Essential Connection carries out boiler servicing, gas safety checks, plumbing and electrical work across Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge, Cobham, Esher, Kingston and South West London. Get in touch to book a visit.