January Tasks for Your Property

January Tasks for Your Property

January is a funny time of year – the excitement of Christmas and New Year has passed, spring seems like a lifetime away, and the days are still far too short.  There are a few things you can do to get yourself ready for the year ahead and, hopefully, get off to a flying start.

Clean, clean, clean!

Cleaning your home at the beginning of the year has a number of benefits.  First, it’s an opportunity to clear out anything you don’t need.  Those boxes you’ve brought with you from the last three moves that you still haven’t opened?  Don’t need them.  The equipment from all the sports you swore you’d love but never really got around to becoming great at?  Don’t need them.  Now is the time to put these things in the past and slim down your possessions.  Next time you move your future self will thank you.

Second, after you’ve removed all that stuff you don’t need, this is the ideal time to clean. Really clean.  Clean places you can’t even see.  When it comes time to move out and you have to make sure the flat is spotless in order to get your deposit back, it’ll be a much less arduous task than if you’ve let it get out of hand for a few years.  Again, your future self will thank you and owe you one.

Third, there’s a nice metaphor in there about starting the year with a clean slate.

Check your detectors

The beginning of a new year is a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and your carbon monoxide alarms.  Your letting agent should check that both of these work when they perform your property inspections, but it’s difficult to tell when the batteries run out if they’re not in regular use (which smoke alarm may be, depending on how good your cooking is).

Start saving 

As we discussed in a previous blog, there’s no time like the present to start saving for your next deposit.  The decadence of Christmas is over and belts are tightening everywhere (metaphorically, if not literally) – use this time to start putting a little bit of money away each month.  It’ll add up quicker than you think and before you know it you’ll be ahead of the game next time you move.  By this point your future self will be eternally in your debt.

So, there you have it – a few simple things you can do to make your January a productive one and get your year off to a great start!