9 Easy Ways To Get Your House In Order!

The nights are drawing in and its time to prepare for those chilly winter months ahead. Money expert Sue Hayward has a checklist of potential weak points

- Sue Hayward

Fix Niggling Jobs

Think like an estate agent and vet your home. Take a wander round, noting everything that needs fixing and soon you’ll have things in tip-top shape!

A leaky tap may not seem like a must-do job on a Saturday morning, but it can waste the equivalent of half a bath of water every week. This costs money if you’re on a water meter, and can mean a plumber’s bill if the problem persists.

It’s also worth knowing where your stopcock is, in case you need to switch off the water. It’s usually a tap or lever under the sink.

Check Insurance Policies

Check your home insurance is up-to-date and make sure you know exactly what your policy covers. No need to read the thing from cover to cover, as most policies outline the main areas along with the level of cover for a quick check.

The good news is that insurers must now tell you how much you paid for your policy last year, so it’s easier to spot any huge price hikes on renewal. This is more incentive to shop around, which is quick and easy if you use comparison sites like comparethemarket.com or moneysupermarket.com.

Protect Your Property

Once the clocks go back, burglaries go up by a third, according to Co-op Insurance.