Summer Checklist for Tenants

Summer Checklist for Tenants

At last summer is here, so what are your plans? Have you booked an exciting getaway in an exotic location? Or is the aim to kick back and relax on home turf?

Whatever you’ve lined up, it’s worth taking note of the common concerns that can crop up in rented accommodation during the summer.

If there’s a garden at your rental property:
• Check your contract to ensure you understand what’s expected of you in terms of maintenance. Commonly, tenants are expected to carry out general tasks such as watering and mowing – and in summer, you’ll most likely need to do both quite regularly.
• If you have children, paddling pools and trampolines might seem like the ultimate summer garden accessories – just bear in mind that at the end of the tenancy, you’ll be expected to return the garden in the same state as it was when you moved in. So if the grass under a trampoline or paddling pool dies off (as it often does), you’ll need to rectify it.
• Keen gardeners should get permission from the landlord before undertaking any major planting or landscaping projects. Planting in pots may be preferable, so you can take any plants that you lovingly tend to with you when you move on.
• If you’re socialising outside, be mindful of the neighbours. Don’t play loud music into the early hours of the morning or let things get too lively.
Other issues
• Burglars prowl about in the summer months looking for easy entry to properties, so be vigilant if you open windows or doors in hot weather. 
• Always lock up carefully before you go out and be particularly cautious if you’re going away on holiday. Check and check again to ensure everything is safe and secure. The last thing you want is to return from a brilliant holiday to find you’ve had intruders.
• If you’re going away for an extended period, let your landlord know. Some contracts specify that you notify your landlord if you’re going to be away for more than 14 days. Even if you’re not legally required to do so, it’s good to do it as a courtesy. It also means that your landlord can avoid bothering you with non-urgent queries when you’re on holiday.
Looking for a new property to rent? Get in touch with us here at Millbanks today.


Get in touch with us

The semi-detached home remains Britain’s most loved housing type, shaping family life for generations. This article explores how the value of semis varies widely across the UK, from London’s seven-figure prices to far more attainable regions, and why their emotional pull remains as strong as ever.

As 2025 draws to a close, this report examines how the UK and Attleborough property markets have performed and what may lie ahead in 2026. By comparing listings, sales, and prices with previous years, it reveals a market driven more by activity and confidence than by rising house prices.

This data shows a clear north–south split in UK housing supply. Homes for sale are rising across London and the South, while much of the North is seeing stock fall. The contrast raises questions about affordability, confidence, and whether higher supply in the South could limit house price growth into 2026.

Private renting has grown across every UK region over the last 40 years, but the scale and pace are often misunderstood. This graphic shows how uneven that growth has been, shaped largely by the decline in social housing. Understanding this shift helps explain today’s housing balance and the choices ahead.