Broken boilers, frozen pipes and blocked drains are top of the agenda this month to mark National Maintenance Week.

Spotting problems in or outside a property sooner rather than later can save huge amounts of hassle and expense, according to experts.

But although landlords are responsible for maintenance and repairs, it is tenants who are more likely to notice problems first.

Mike Weaver, pictured, property manager for sales and letting agents Carter Jonas, said: “If you’re living in a property, you are the one who has to cope with the inconvenience of having repairs done or going without essentials such as heating and hot water until they are fixed.

“Most tenancy agreements contain a clause requiring tenants to report signs of damage or possible problems, so having a simple routine and being generally diligent could save more than just time and hassle both for the tenants and landlords.”

National Maintenance Week, which runs from November 19-26, is organised by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and supported by interior decorator and TV’s Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Mr Weaver’s top ten property maintenance tips for tenants and landlords are: 1. Roof leaks are often caused by missing slates or tiles, so look for any lying on the ground or slipped or missing tiles or slates on the roof slopes.

2. Downpipes that leak at the joints or overflowing gutters may mean a blockage or misalignment, so check for dark staining on external walls after rainfall.

3. Water coming through windows and/or doors can be the first sign of serious damage and/or rot, so beware deteriorating paintwork, condensation and signs of dampness around window and door frames.

4. External and internal damp stains on walls, distortion, cracked or crazed rendering and soft and porous mortar between bricks are problems that can lead to dampness and damage internally.

5. Look for signs of distortion or leaning of chimney stacks. Also, plants growing from the stacks or signs of water staining on ceilings, especially around chimney breasts.

6. If timber floors become ‘springy’ this could be a sign of damp and decay.

7. Check ceilings for cracks and water stains, as older ones may sag and even collapse.

8. Central heating and hot water problems may start as dampness, seepage or staining to ceilings, walls or airing cupboards.

9. Modern electric systems have consumer unit trip switches which activate if there is a minor break in the circuit, such as a light bulb blowing. Reset but get help if it trips again.

10. Drainage gulleys should be cleaned out and kept clear to stop them becoming blocked.

For more information about National Maintenance Week, visit maintainyourbuilding.org.uk