Winter is Coming: Douglas & Gordon Warns Landlords and Tenants to Take Action Before Disputes Occur

November 20, 2025

Mould, damp, burst pipes and boilers on the blink? With temperatures set to plummet in London this week, real-estate agent Douglas & Gordon is advising landlords and tenants to take action before issues occur.

With 45% of landlords experiencing arrears or disputes, often linked to property condition or delayed maintenance* the agent’s expert lettings team has provided some tips for tenants keen to keep warm and keep their deposits intact.

Tips for tenants:

Be present and make sure all is correct at the check in. If you are moving into a rental this winter, go through the check in report with a fine toothcomb. Note every single point and flag any issues, including mould, damp or a boiler on the blink at the start. Take your own pictures if you need to.

Treat your rental like your home. Make sure you don’t dry your washing on radiators / always ventilate bathrooms after a shower, even in the winter

Don’t switch off the heating: Leave the heating on a minimal setting, even during a holiday, to avoid the pipes bursting when you are way

If you’re going away for more than two weeks flag this to your landlord just in case something goes wrong

Flag issues as they arise, don’t leave a small issue unmanaged

The advice comes in a market with fewer homes to rent. Also a financial squeeze on those trying to build their lives in London, many of whom are spending upwards of 50% of their salary on rent just to keep a roof over their heads.

James Evans, CEO of Douglas & Gordon which has a proven track record of providing property management services to over 3,000 buildings across the UK said:

‘Winter can be tough on landlords and tenants alike. For tenants, the advice is clear, it is important to treat your rental property like a home if you want to check out with all of your deposit. Flagging issues and taking precuations to avoid plumbing or damp problems is key. For landlords in a market where tenants will take action in order to skip an expensive rental bill, it is important to tackle issues as they are flagged. Or to have a representative with access nearby ready to nip issues in the bud 24/7.’

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