How do I actually own and maintain a house?

[readingrainbow]

Are there regular checks I need to do? Gas safety I am aware of, but what other little things do you do to keep an eye on the state of your house? Do you check the roof after a storm, or check for damp once a year behind cupboards or something?

We are completing on our first house in a fortnight and I am a bit clueless.

Our survey came back with very few issues; some of the iron guttering needs repairing, the roof is getting old (tho not leaking) and bricks need repointing. Small bit of damp behind the washing machine. Nothing else to worry about but obviously issues can and will arise and I'd like to be aware of them asap. What checks do you do to keep on top of things?

[specialsubject]

the hive mind of mumsnet put together a maintenance checklist a year or two back. Try a search if it works on your device (doesn't on mine)

you don't have to have a gas safe check for an owned house, but an annual service for the boiler is an excellent idea.

[readingrainbow]

Oh, thanks for that. I'll have a search. I figured this topic would have been covered more than once....

[Cass168]

Ooh, If you find it please can you post the link here? I feel like I need this! My neighbour was talking about roof maintenance the other day and I was thinking "is that something I need to do?!" Clueless, lol.

[4yoniD]

This is all I can find:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/2146724-General-house-maintenance

[specialsubject]

That's it, and the first post links to more. Basic maintenance isn't pricey but obviously big fixes can be. However one per cent of house price per annum seems very Ott for basic maintenance, unless ypou have a 50k house

[greybead]

That thread is comprehensive!! Makes me feel a bit bad

[specialsubject]

Prompted by another thread - not maintenance but when you move in:

• find the water stopcock and check it turns
  
• ditto gas shutoff
  
• find the main electric switch
  
• find the emergency number for gas, electric and water in your area. The first two are not the number of your supplier. Write down and stick somewhere.
  
• buy a cheap corded phone and put in a drawer. In power cuts cordless phones don't work and mobiles also may not.
  

Easy emergency p!anning for all. Do not be one of those who leaves it all to the husband. Of course make sure he knows too.

[readingrainbow]

Very good points, thank you. We need to figure out how to deal with emergency exits in the 2nd floor. What if a house fire blocks the stairs? Hmm.

[LovingLuna]

Good luck with your new home.

[readingrainbow]

Oh, thank you! :)

[Cass168]

Thank you, that's all really useful!