We all keep the place clean. We fix what breaks. But there's a whole category of maintenance that quietly slips through the cracks; the stuff that seems fine until, one day, it very much isn't. Here's what to add to your list.

You wipe the surfaces. You replace the lightbulbs. You probably even clean behind the sofa occasionally... But ask most people when they last bled their radiators, cleaned their dish washer filter, or tested their smoke alarm, and you'll get a very long pause.

We've pulled together the home maintenance tasks that consistently get forgotten, with practical advice on how often to do them. Whether you're a tenant or a homeowner, these are the ones worth putting in the diary.

Bleeding your radiators

Radiators that are warm at the bottom but cold at the top have trapped air preventing the hot water from circulating. The fix is simple: bleeding them. It takes about five minutes per radiator, a radiator key (£2 from any hardware shop), and a cloth.

Tenants: This is usually your responsibility as part of day-to-day upkeep. If you’re unsure, check your tenancy agreement or ask your property manager.

Cleaning extractor fans and filters

Extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms are doing important work pulling moisture out of the air. When the filter clogs up with grease and dust, the fan can't do its job. You end up with condensation, and eventually, mould.

Most filters can be removed and cleaned with warm soapy water. Check your fan's manual for the specifics.

The household filters everyone forgets

Filters are a bit of a theme, and there are more of them around your home than most people realise.

Your dishwasher has a filter at the bottom of the drum that catches food debris. A blocked dishwasher filter is usually the reason dishes come out less than sparkling.

Your washing machine has one too (often called a pump filter), hiding behind a small panel at the front. It collects fluff, and the occasional forgotten tissue.

The tumble dryer vent is worth checking as well. Lint builds up in the hose connecting the dryer to the external vent, which reduces efficiency and, in serious cases, is a fire risk.

Your hoover is another one. Bagless models have filters that need washing every few months.

If your fridge has a built-in water or ice dispenser, there's a water filter inside that typically needs replacing every six months.

And if you've got a heat pump (increasingly common in newer builds and energy-efficient homes) the filter needs changing every one to three months.

Testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Most people have alarms. Fewer people actually test them. Pressing the test button once a month could genuinely save your life.

Batteries should be replaced once a year (unless your alarms are mains-wired), and the units themselves should be replaced every ten years.

Checking under sinks and around pipes

Slow leaks are the most expensive kind, because they go unnoticed. A dripping pipe under the kitchen sink can cause water damage to the cabinet, the flooring, and potentially the flat below before you ever spot it.

Every few months, and when the pipes have been under extra use, like cleaning up after a big dinner party, open the cupboard doors under your sinks and have a proper look. Check for damp patches, discolouration, or any sign of water going somewhere it shouldn't.

Descaling your shower head

In hard water areas like London, limescale builds up inside shower heads and blocks the tiny holes, reducing water pressure.

The fix is simple. Unscrew the head and soak it overnight in a bag of white vinegar. Rinse in the morning and it will usually feel like a new shower.

Keeping drains clear before they block

Hair, soap residue, and food build up over weeks and months until you're standing in a puddle in the shower or watching the kitchen sink drain at a glacial pace.

A monthly pour of boiling water down sinks can help. A drain strainer in the shower costs under £5 and catches hair before it becomes a problem. Avoid pouring cooking oil down the kitchen drain.

Ventilating properly to prevent damp

Less of a task, more of a habit. Everyday life creates moisture. Without ventilation, that moisture settles on walls and windows and can lead to mould.

Opening windows for ten minutes after cooking or showering helps. Keeping a small gap under doors improves airflow. Avoid drying clothes on radiators where possible.

Tenants: If you're doing all the right things and still seeing mould, report it to your landlord or property manager ASAP.

Clearing your gutters

You cannot usually see your gutters from the ground, which is why they are easy to forget. Blocked gutters stop rainwater draining away and are a common source of damp.

Leaves, moss and debris gather over the year. Clearing them takes little time and prevents water overflowing down exterior walls or ice cracking the guttering.

If you’re not comfortable working at height, a local handyman can handle it easily and inexpensively.

Tenants: This is typically the landlord’s responsibility, but if you spot overflow or damp on an external wall, report it to your property manager straight away.

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Get it done with us

None of these tasks takes long. They tend to get overlooked until you find the leak, blocked drain or pay heating engineer's call-out fee.

A little bit of regular attention is the most effective strategy there is. And the good news is, most of this uses what you already have at home.

Tenants: If you’re not sure what’s your responsibility, our property management team is happy to help.

My Foxtons

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