Cambridge Property Maintenance Checklist for HMO and AST Landlords

Staying on top of property maintenance in Cambridge isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about legal compliance, protecting your investment, and keeping tenants satisfied. Whether you manage a single AST or multiple HMOs, this checklist helps landlords cover the essentials and avoid the expensive chaos of emergency repairs.

Regular Tasks: Boilers, Smoke Alarms, Gutters, Appliances

Routine maintenance is the foundation of good property care. That means scheduling consistent checks on vital infrastructure, including:

• Annual boiler servicing to ensure safety and energy efficiency

• Monthly smoke and carbon monoxide alarm tests (required by law)

• Clearing gutters to prevent water damage and damp

• Checking appliances for wear, damage, and compliance with safety standards

Skipping these can lead to tenant dissatisfaction at best, and legal liability at worst.

Seasonal Maintenance: Winter Prep, Summer Ventilation, Roof Checks

Cambridge's seasons bring shifting responsibilities:

• Winter: Bleed radiators, check insulation, test heating systems, and protect exposed pipes from freezing.

• Spring/Summer: Clean extractor fans, assess roof condition, check for leaks, and ensure proper ventilation to prevent mould.

Planning these around the calendar prevents sudden failures and keeps tenants comfortable year-round.

HMO-Specific Responsibilities: Shared Space Cleanliness, Fire Doors, Emergency Lighting

HMOs are more regulated than standard lets. As an HMO landlord, you're legally required to:

• Maintain fire doors in full working order with proper closers

• Ensure all emergency lighting is tested regularly and works as intended

• Keep communal areas (kitchens, stairwells, bathrooms) clean, safe, and hazard-free

• Schedule frequent inspections and record everything

A forgotten bulb or faulty fire door can quickly become a serious risk—and a fine.

Preventative Maintenance to Avoid Emergencies

Emergency repairs aren’t just inconvenient—they’re costly. Proactive upkeep prevents late-night callouts and tenant disruption. Landlords should:

• Inspect plumbing for early signs of leaks

• Check seals around windows and bathrooms to stop water ingress

• Monitor humidity levels and ventilate as needed to stop damp and mould

• Service extractor fans and check ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms

Catching issues early is always cheaper and easier than cleaning up a flood or rewiring a shorted fuse board.

How Cambridge Stays Handles Maintenance for You

At Cambridge Stays, we take a proactive, not reactive, approach to property maintenance. That means:

• Scheduled routine inspections tailored to AST or HMO needs

• Direct access to trusted Cambridge-based tradespeople

• Prompt resolution of issues with clear communication to both landlords and tenants

• Compliance tracking to avoid missed certificates or regulatory gaps

We keep maintenance invisible to tenants and effortless for landlords.

Need Help with Compliance and Upkeep? We’ve Got It Covered

Property upkeep doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether it’s staying compliant with HMO regulations or simply making sure the boiler gets serviced on time, Cambridge Stays handles it all. Let us take maintenance off your plate—so you can focus on income, not repairs.