September Home Checklist: 11 Jobs Before the Clocks Go Back
Eleven September home maintenance jobs to finish before the clocks change on 25 October — heating, alarms, gutters, damp and lighting, and what each saves you.
Home Maintenance Checklist for UK Homeowners
A practical checklist of the jobs your home needs, by frequency and by season. Use it as a guide, or let Home+ build it for your home and remind you when each job is due.
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Free to use. No card needed. Built for UK homes.
Most home repairs get more expensive the longer they are left. A slipped roof tile, a blocked gutter or an unserviced boiler is cheap to fix early and expensive when it fails. This checklist covers what to check, how often, and why. It is written for UK homes, with the damp, cold and wet in mind.
General guidance only. Always use a qualified professional for gas, electrical and structural work.
Monthly checks
- Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Check under sinks and around the boiler for leaks or drips.
- Check for condensation, mould or damp patches, especially in bathrooms and north-facing rooms.
- Run rarely used taps and showers for a minute to keep water flowing.
- Check boiler pressure (usually between 1 and 1.5 bar when cold; see the boiler manual).
Spring (March to May)
- Look for winter damage: roof tiles, flashing, chimney pointing, fascias and soffits.
- Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris.
- Check walls and pointing, fences and gates.
- Service garden tools and check outside taps after frost.
- Open and clean air vents and extractor fans.
Summer (June to August)
- Check and repaint exterior woodwork and windows that need it.
- Inspect the loft for leaks, pests and ventilation.
- Clean patios and decking; check for rot.
- Check sealant around windows, doors and baths.
- Review insurance and boiler service booking before the autumn rush.
Autumn (September to November)
- Book your boiler service, ideally before the heating season starts.
- Bleed radiators and check for cold spots.
- Clear gutters again once the leaves have fallen.
- Sweep chimneys and flues if you use an open fire or wood burner.
- Check loft insulation and draught-proof doors and windows.
- Know where your stopcock is and check that it turns.
Winter (December to February)
- Lag exposed pipes and outside taps; keep the heating on low when away in very cold weather.
- Keep an eye on condensation and ventilation as the heating runs.
- Check the loft and ceilings for leaks after heavy rain or snow.
- Clear snow and ice from paths; check for slipped roof tiles after storms.
- Keep emergency numbers handy: your boiler cover, a plumber and an electrician.
Annual and occasional jobs
| Job | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler service | Every year | By a Gas Safe registered engineer |
| Chimney sweep | Every year if in use | More often for solid fuel |
| Gutter and roof inspection | Twice a year | After storms too |
| Electrical inspection (EICR) | Every 10 years is a common guide for owners | Every 5 years for rented homes |
| Smoke and CO alarm replacement | By the date on the unit | Usually around 10 years |
| Water tank and plumbing checks | Every year | Look for corrosion and leaks |
| Exterior painting and woodwork | Every 3 to 5 years | Depends on exposure |
| Damp, ventilation and insulation check | Every year | Before winter |
Boiler service
Every year
By a Gas Safe registered engineer
Chimney sweep
Every year if in use
More often for solid fuel
Gutter and roof inspection
Twice a year
After storms too
Electrical inspection (EICR)
Every 10 years is a common guide for owners
Every 5 years for rented homes
Smoke and CO alarm replacement
By the date on the unit
Usually around 10 years
Water tank and plumbing checks
Every year
Look for corrosion and leaks
Exterior painting and woodwork
Every 3 to 5 years
Depends on exposure
Damp, ventilation and insulation check
Every year
Before winter
Wondering what all this costs? Try our home maintenance budget calculator.
What to look for, room by room
- Roof and loft: missing or slipped tiles, damp patches, pest signs, ventilation, insulation depth.
- Walls and windows: cracks, loose pointing, failing seals, damp, rot in timber frames.
- Heating and hot water: boiler pressure, radiator cold spots, leaks, service history.
- Electrics: scorch marks, buzzing sockets, flickering lights, tripping circuits; call an electrician rather than investigating yourself.
- Kitchen and bathroom: sealant, extractor fans, dripping taps, slow drains.
- Garden and outside: fences, gates, drains, garden walls, outside taps, trees close to the house.
Stop relying on memory
Home+ is a free app that builds this checklist for your home and reminds you when each job is due. Tell us about your home once, and we build a plan, send reminders and store the certificates and receipts for each job.
- Personalised plan for your home type and heating
- Reminders before jobs are due
- A document vault for certificates and receipts
- Request help from vetted local trades when a job needs a professional
See the free home maintenance app or read more about home safety reminders and how to keep a home maintenance record. Home+ can turn this checklist into a maintenance schedule for your home.
Month-by-month guides
October Home Maintenance Checklist: UK Guide 2026
The jobs worth doing before the first frost, in the order that matters - gutters, heating, pipes, draughts and the trades to book now rather than in December.
The UK Home MOT — Your Annual Maintenance Calendar
The UK homeowner's complete maintenance calendar. Month-by-month tasks, annual compliance checks, and the things most people forget. Free PDF included.
Summer Home MOT: 12 Checks to Do Over July
A 12-point summer home MOT for UK homeowners — roof, gutters, damp and paintwork checks to complete over July, with 2026 costs and what to book now.
The UK Homeowner's Safety & Compliance Checklist
What UK homeowners actually have to do (and what they don't) on gas, electrical, fire and building safety. The plain-English compliance checklist.
Condensation in Your House? Causes and Fixes (UK Guide)
Condensation in your UK home this autumn? Here's how to tell it apart from damp, why it happens, and the ventilation fixes that stop mould before it starts.
Draught Proofing a UK Home: Costs and Savings
Where the draughts in a UK home come from, what it costs to seal each one, and the two places you must never block up. A weekend job, room by room.
Frequently asked questions
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Checklist from myhomeplus.io