Tend guide
Home maintenance checklist: what to check monthly, seasonally and every year
Most home maintenance comes down to a short list on a schedule. Every month, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and check for leaks. Every season, clear gutters and drains, bleed radiators before winter and check outside taps before a frost. Every year, have the boiler or heating serviced, check the roof, seals and loft, and review insurance, warranties and renewals. The trick is writing down when each job was last done, so you know when it's next due.
Why a checklist pays off
Most expensive home repairs start small: a blocked gutter that soaks a wall, a boiler that hasn't been serviced in three winters, a dripping joint under the sink. Regular checks catch these while they're cheap, and a record of what was done helps when you claim on a warranty or insurance, or sell the house.
A good checklist does three things:
- Spreads the work out, a few minutes a month instead of a weekend of panic.
- Records when each job was last done, so "I think we had it serviced" becomes a date and an invoice.
- Warns you before things are due, including renewals and warranties that quietly run out.
The lists below suit a typical house or flat. Skip what doesn't apply, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for your own appliances.
Monthly jobs
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Press the test button on each one. Replace batteries when they chirp, and replace the alarm itself when it reaches the end of its life (the date is usually on the back).
- Look for leaks. Check under sinks, around the toilet base, behind the washing machine and at the boiler for drips, stains or a damp smell.
- Clean filters. Cooker hood grease filters, the tumble dryer lint filter (every load, ideally) and the dishwasher filter.
- Run unused taps and showers in spare rooms for a minute or two to keep water fresh.
- Check the boiler pressure if you have a combi or system boiler. The right range is in the manual, often around 1 to 1.5 bar when cold.
Seasonal jobs
| Season | Jobs |
|---|---|
| Spring | Check the roof and chimney from the ground for slipped tiles; clean windows and check seals; service the lawnmower; check fences and sheds after winter storms |
| Summer | Treat and paint exterior wood; check and clean air bricks and vents; trim plants away from walls and drains; check loft insulation while it's dry |
| Autumn | Clear gutters and downpipes after the leaves fall; bleed radiators; test the heating before it's cold; have the chimney swept if you use it |
| Winter | Lag outside taps and exposed pipes; know where your stopcock is; keep the heating on low when you're away; check for condensation and mould |
Bleeding radiators takes ten minutes: with the heating off and cool, open the bleed valve a quarter turn with a radiator key until water appears, then close it. Recheck the boiler pressure afterwards, as it often drops.
Yearly jobs
- Boiler or heating service. Once a year, ideally before winter, by a qualified engineer. In the UK, gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and landlords need a gas safety check every year.
- Car MOT and service if your car is old enough, plus tax and breakdown cover.
- Chimney sweep for open fires and wood burners in regular use.
- Appliance check-ups: descale the kettle and washing machine, clean the fridge coils, check the extractor fans.
- Sealant and grout around baths, showers and sinks: re-seal where it's cracked or black.
- Fire safety: check fire extinguishers and fire blankets, and plan how everyone gets out.
- Electrics: test RCDs with their test button. A full electrical check by an electrician is often recommended every 10 years for an owner-occupied home, and every 5 years for rented homes.
Warranties, renewals and paperwork
Paper jobs are part of maintenance too, and they cost money when they're missed. Keep a list of:
- Warranties: what's covered, until when, and where the receipt is. A washing machine failing at 23 months is a free repair if you can find the proof of purchase.
- Insurance: home, contents, car, pet and boiler cover, with renewal dates. Prices often rise at auto-renewal, so check a few weeks before.
- Subscriptions and bills: broadband, streaming, energy deals and memberships, with their end dates.
- Licences and documents: TV licence, passports, driving licences and parking permits.
For each one, note the next date, the cost and a photo of the paperwork. A reminder a week before gives you time to compare and cancel.
A worked year
Worked example
Boiler: serviced 12 Oct, £85, engineer's report photographed. Next service due 12 Oct next year; reminder a week before.
Car: MOT due 3 March. Insurance renews 19 April; reminder on 12 April to compare quotes.
Washing machine: bought 14 June last year, two-year warranty until 14 June next year. Receipt attached.
Smoke alarms: tested monthly on the first Saturday; hallway alarm replaced in May (end of life).
Gutters: cleared every November.
Laid out like this, the year has about a dozen dated jobs and a handful of monthly ones. Nothing is a surprise, and when the washing machine fails in May, the receipt and warranty date are one tap away.
Keeping track on a phone
Tend keeps a record for each thing in your home: the boiler, the car, appliances, pets, policies and subscriptions.
- Needs attention shows one board of what's due, overdue, renewing or out of warranty.
- Service history for each record, with costs, photos and documents such as invoices and receipts. Set a job to repeat every month, 3 months, 6 months or year.
- Warranties and renewals for subscriptions, bills, insurance, memberships and licences.
- Reminders 7 days before, 1 day before and on the day, while Tend is open in your browser.
- The inbox: type or say a quick note such as "boiler serviced £85" and Tend files it to the right record, on your device.
- Household lists with assignees, approval and points, plus a family calendar, and a household file you can share with a partner.
Tend is free for up to 10 records, with export and household sharing included. Tend+ ($3.99 once, no subscription) adds unlimited records, smart inbox filing (three free tries first) and nudges before things go overdue. Everything stays on your device, with no account.
Tips
- Pick a regular day. The first Saturday of the month for alarms and leaks is easy to remember.
- Photograph everything once. Model numbers, serial plates, receipts and the stopcock location save hunting later.
- Log the cost. It shows what the house really costs to run, and when a repair isn't worth it any more.
- Share the load. Assign jobs, so everyone knows who is doing the gutters this year.
Common mistakes
- Relying on memory. "Last winter, I think" is how boiler services slip to three years.
- Losing receipts. Without proof of purchase, a warranty is hard to use.
- Letting insurance auto-renew unchecked. A reminder a few weeks before is worth a quick comparison.
- Ignoring small leaks and damp patches. They are cheap now and expensive later.
- DIY gas or mains electrical work. Use qualified, registered trades.
Questions
How often should a boiler be serviced?
Once a year is the usual advice, ideally before winter, and many manufacturers' warranties require it. In the UK, gas boilers must be serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
How often should I test smoke alarms?
Press the test button once a month, change batteries when they chirp, and replace the alarm when it reaches the end of its life, usually after about ten years. The date is normally printed on the back.
When should gutters be cleaned?
At least once a year, usually late autumn after the leaves have fallen, and again in spring if you have trees nearby. Use a qualified person for high or hard-to-reach gutters.
What should be on a home maintenance checklist?
Monthly: alarms, leaks, filters and boiler pressure. Seasonal: gutters, radiators, outside taps, roof and exterior wood. Yearly: boiler service, car MOT, seals, appliances and electrics. Plus warranties, insurance and renewals.
How do I keep track of warranties?
For each item, note the purchase date, the warranty length and end date, and keep a photo of the receipt. A reminder before the warranty ends lets you report faults while they're still covered.
Is Tend free?
Yes, for up to 10 records, with reminders, export and household sharing. Tend+ is a one-time $3.99 upgrade for unlimited records, smart inbox filing and nudges. There's no subscription and no account.