As many as 35-40 per cent of all winter maintenance call outs could be avoided. The London Team believes on average over the winters savings could reach £300-400!

The company has now issued an action list, to help Londoners prepare their homes for the onslaught of winter. The team believes that a few checks and precautions could help residents avoid unnecessary hassle and expense over the coming months.

Popular call outs include no running water, in some cases down to fact that a neighbour in a block of flats has turned the water off without realising it’s a centralised system, leaks to neighbouring properties caused by unlagged pipes and made worse by the fact that the property’s owner is away and uncontactable, blocked sinks and drains, particularly from animal fat used around Christmas and air locks which stop water flow in the home caused by busy, festive households taking showers in quick succession without enough time for the system to refill.

Sebastian Seymour, CEO of The London Team explains: “This is a difficult time of year for any home owner or renter as the increased rainfall and lower temperatures invariably cause strain on properties, particularly older Georgian London buildings. However, there are simple, precautionary steps which people can take which will significantly reduce the chance of an emergency call out and diminish the amount of damage caused. And if people are wondering why I’m happy to share the tricks of the trade, it’s because preventative action often means the damage is lessened and we can leave with a happy customer.”