Now that the weather is getting gradually colder, you may be starting to worry about the rising costs of energy bills and what to do should anything go wrong in your property over the winter months.
Common winter-related problems which students renting a property in Leicester can face traditionally include the following:
- Higher Heating Bills: Colder weather leads to increased energy consumption, resulting in higher heating costs. In addition, with the energy price cap coming off this October, prices are likely to be higher still.
- Cold Drafts & Poor Insulation: Older rental properties might suffer from draughty windows or doors, making it harder to keep warm.
- Condensation: Cold surfaces like windows attract moisture, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces and older properties.
- Moisture & Mould: Winter increases indoor moisture levels, leading to potential mould growth in areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Budget-Friendly Ways to Stay Warm and Save on Heating Bills
While your landlord should be keeping on top of maintenance around the property, such as by ensuring an annual boiler service is carried out and conducting any repairs which are needed, there are also several budget-friendly ways for students to stay warm and save on heating bills. Try out these practical, low-cost tips:
- Layer up indoors – wearing extra layers, using blankets, and warm slippers can minimise heating needs.
- Timers can let you take advantage of setting heating hours on your thermostat (if possible), such as at morning and night.
- Use blinds and curtains efficiently – open them during the day to let sunlight in and close them at night to trap the heat.
- DIY draught-proofing – use rolled towels or inexpensive draught excluders to seal gaps under doors.
- Watch out for mini draughts too which can come from things such as cat flaps, keyholes, loft hatches and letterboxes.
- Efficient heater use – focus on heating only rooms in use and turn off space heaters when leaving a room.
- Turn off lights, electrical devices and plug sockets when not in use.
- Keep doors closed as this will prevent draughts from circulating around the property.
- Use thick rugs on hard floors to make the home feel warmer.
Dealing with Condensation and Mould in Winter
It’s never nice at all to find out that you have a damp and mould problem in your property. If left, it can make for an unpleasant place to live and even lead to health problems. Your landlord should be able to fix the problem as soon as it’s discovered and there are also some practical tips to prevent or manage moisture-related problems, such as:
- Ventilation: Opening windows briefly for fresh air circulation is always a good idea as it can let out excess moisture in the air especially after cooking or showering.
- Wipe Down Windows: Try to wipe down any condensation from windows daily to avoid mould growth.
- Use Extractor Fans: Regular use of extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms can minimise moisture build-up.
- Moisture Absorbers/Dehumidifiers: Buy some budget-friendly moisture absorbers to combat excess humidity.
- Report Severe Mould: It’s vital that you report any serious mould issues to your landlord as soon as you notice it for proper resolution before the matter gets worse.
Reputable and helpful student housing provider in Leicester
At Westmanor Student Living, we pride ourselves on being a reliable student housing provider which can address winter issues promptly and ensure the proper upkeep of your student accommodation in Leicester. To find out more about the properties that we have available, or if you have any questions or queries, get in touch with a member of the team today.