Indoor Home Maintenance Checklist (UK): 20 Essential Checks for Beginners

Quick summary: This indoor home maintenance checklist for UK beginners walks you through 20 key checks that protect your safety, reduce damp and keep appliances and heating running efficiently. Use it once or twice a year to build a simple, repeatable routine without needing advanced DIY skills or specialist tools.

📑 Table of Contents

🧱 Why indoor home maintenance matters

Indoor maintenance isn’t just about keeping things tidy – it’s about preventing avoidable problems like damp, mould, leaks, electrical faults and inefficient heating. For many UK homeowners and renters, the biggest issues come from small things that were never checked: a slow drip under a sink, a blocked extractor fan, a boiler that hasn’t been serviced, or a smoke alarm with a flat battery.

The good news is that most indoor checks are simple. You don’t need advanced DIY skills or specialist tools. By following a structured indoor home maintenance checklist, you can spot early warning signs, protect your home and reduce the risk of expensive repairs later on.

🗂️ How to use this indoor home maintenance checklist

This guide is designed as essential DIY home maintenance for beginners. You can:

• Work through all 20 checks once or twice a year, or
• Spread them out across the seasons (for example, do half in spring and half in autumn)

If a task feels too technical or unsafe – especially around gas or electrics – use this checklist to spot the issue and then bring in a qualified professional. The goal isn’t to turn you into a heating engineer or electrician. It’s to give you a clear, confident starting point.

🏠 Top 20 Indoor Home Maintenance Checks (UK)

Below are the top 20 indoor checks to build into your home maintenance routine. These focus on safety, heating, electrics, appliances, moisture control and basic security.

1. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

Press the test button on every smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. You should hear a loud, clear alarm. If you don’t, replace the batteries or the alarm according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Test alarms at least quarterly – more often is better.
• Keep a pack of spare batteries in a known spot.
• Vacuum around alarm vents to remove dust and cobwebs.

2. Service boiler annually (required for safety and efficiency)

An annual boiler service by a Gas Safe registered engineer is essential for safety and energy efficiency. It helps spot faults early, reduces the risk of carbon monoxide leaks and keeps the system running efficiently.

• Book a service once a year, ideally before winter.
• Check your boiler pressure every few months and follow the manual if it needs topping up.
• Keep the area around the boiler clear for ventilation and access.

3. Bleed radiators before winter

If your radiators are warm at the bottom but cold at the top, they may need bleeding to remove trapped air.

1. Turn off the heating and let radiators cool slightly.
2. Use a radiator key to open the bleed valve until air hisses out.
3. Close the valve as soon as water starts flowing steadily.
4. Check boiler pressure afterwards and adjust if needed.

4. Check thermostat settings and timers

Check that your thermostat and heating timers match your current routine. Small adjustments can improve comfort and save energy.

• Update times after the clocks change.
• Check any smart heating schedules still make sense.
• Consider lowering set temperatures slightly in rooms you use less often.

5. Inspect electrics and test RCDs (Residual Current Devices)

Most modern UK homes have RCD protection on the consumer unit (fuse board). These devices help protect you from electric shock.

• Press the “T” or “Test” button on RCDs as per manufacturer guidance – they should trip and cut power.
• Reset the RCD afterwards by switching it back on.
• Visually inspect sockets, switches and extension leads for heat damage, cracking or frayed cables.

6. Clean tumble dryer lint filter and vent

Clogged lint filters and vents are a fire risk and make dryers work harder.

• Clean the lint filter after every few uses (or as the manual advises).
• Check the vent hose for kinks and lint build-up.
• If vented outside, confirm the external flap opens freely.

7. Descale kettle, dishwasher and washing machine (hard water areas)

In hard water areas, limescale can build up quickly inside appliances.

• Use a suitable descaler in kettles and follow the instructions.
• Run a dishwasher cleaner cycle and clean the filters.
• Use a washing machine cleaner or hot maintenance wash, especially if you see residue or smells.

8. Flush water heater (if not combi boiler)

If you have a traditional hot water cylinder (not a combi boiler), it may benefit from annual flushing to remove sediment. This is usually a job for a qualified heating engineer or plumber.

• Check your system type if you’re not sure whether you have a tank.
• Ask your engineer at the annual boiler service if flushing is recommended.

9. Clean cooker hood filters

Grease and dust build up in cooker hoods over time, reducing their ability to clear steam and smells.

• Remove metal filters and clean them in hot, soapy water (or as per the manual).
• Replace charcoal filters where fitted if they’re saturated or past their recommended lifespan.
• Wipe down the hood casing and control buttons.

10. Deep clean oven and hob

A clean oven and hob are safer and more efficient. Built-up grease can smoke, smell and even catch fire.

• Use an appropriate oven cleaner or steam-clean setting if fitted.
• Remove and clean shelves, trays and hob pan supports.
• Wipe knobs, controls and surrounding tiles.

11. Inspect loft insulation thickness and condition

Heat rises, so good loft insulation dramatically cuts heat loss and energy bills.

• Check for thin, missing or flattened insulation.
• Look for signs of damp or mould on rafters or insulation.
• Make sure stored items aren’t squashing insulation or blocking ventilation at the eaves.

12. Check for damp or mould in corners and behind furniture

Damp often hides in cooler corners, behind furniture and along external walls.

• Look behind wardrobes, beds and sofas placed on outside walls.
• Check upper corners, window reveals and around skirting boards.
• If you find mould, avoid dry brushing – clean carefully following NHS or product guidance, and improve ventilation or heating in that area.

13. Inspect plumbing under sinks for leaks

A quick look under sinks and basins can catch slow leaks early.

• Check traps, joints and flexible hoses for drips or staining.
• Use kitchen roll to dab around suspect joints – any moisture shows quickly.
• Look for swelling or damage on the inside of cupboard bases.

14. Test taps and toilets for drips or running water

Small drips and constantly running cisterns waste water and can stain fixtures.

• Listen for cisterns that keep filling or trickling after flushing.
• Check tap aerators for drips when “off”.
• Report persistent issues to your landlord or call a plumber if you’re unsure about repairs.

15. Clean extractor fans in bathroom and kitchen

Extractor fans help remove moist air and smells. When they clog with dust, they move far less air.

• Turn off the power at the isolator if required.
• Vacuum or gently wipe the fan grille and surrounding area.
• Check that fans still pull air effectively – a piece of tissue should be lightly held to the grille when running.

16. Check seals around baths, showers and sinks

Failed silicone seals let water creep behind tiles, into walls or under flooring.

• Look for cracks, gaps or mould growth on silicone lines.
• Check for soft or stained patches around baths and showers.
• Re-seal using bathroom-grade silicone if needed, or plan this as a future DIY project.

17. Inspect windows for condensation between panes

Condensation inside the double-glazed unit (between panes) usually means the seal has failed.

• Check each window in different weather – some issues are more obvious on cold mornings.
• Note down any units that are constantly misted internally.
• Get quotes for replacement units if the problem is widespread.

18. Review home insurance and appliance cover

Maintenance is about prevention, but it’s wise to know how you’re protected if something does fail.

• Check your home insurance policy still fits your situation and contents value.
• Review any appliance or boiler cover – are you paying for duplicate protection?
• Make a note of emergency numbers and policy details in an easy-to-find place.

19. Service major appliances (fridge coils, dishwasher filters)

Fridges, freezers and dishwashers all benefit from periodic cleaning and servicing.

• Pull out the fridge-freezer carefully and vacuum dust from accessible coils and vents.
• Clean door seals and check they close firmly.
• Remove dishwasher filters, rinse thoroughly and check spray arms are clear.

20. Check locks and latches on doors and windows

Indoor maintenance includes basic security. Sticky or faulty locks are frustrating and can be a safety risk.

• Check that external doors lock and unlock smoothly.
• Test window latches and side bolts, especially on accessible windows.
• Lubricate mechanisms lightly if they feel stiff, or call a locksmith if they continue to stick.

✨ Extra indoor maintenance tips for beginners

• Check boiler and system pressure when you bleed radiators or after major cold snaps.
• Look for draughts around letterboxes, keyholes and older windows – simple draught excluders can make a big difference.
• Keep ventilation pathways clear – don’t block air bricks, vents or extractors with furniture or clutter.
• Use a simple hygrometer to monitor humidity in problem rooms if you’re battling condensation.

🛠 Recommended indoor maintenance tools & accessories

These beginner-friendly tools and accessories can make indoor maintenance checks safer and more comfortable. They’re optional, but helpful if you’re regularly tackling dust, loft spaces or condensation.

• Stanley P3 Dust Mask Respirator Helps protect your lungs from dust when cleaning lofts, gutters, extractor fans or older insulation.
• MeacoDry Arete 12L Dehumidifier Useful in UK homes that struggle with condensation or damp during colder months, especially in bedrooms and living spaces.
• AirGearPro G-500 Respirator & Goggles Set Adds extra protection for maintenance tasks that involve dust, mould spores or strong fumes, such as clearing older lofts or sanding problem areas.

📚 Recommended reading

If you’re building your confidence with DIY and home care, these guides are a natural next step after creating your indoor home maintenance checklist:

• 🛡️ DIY Tool Safety Tips for Beginners – Learn how to handle common DIY tools safely when tackling small maintenance jobs.
• 😷 How to Use a Dust Mask Properly – Make sure you’re protecting your lungs when you clean lofts, cupboards and extractor fans.
• 🎨 Painting a Room Like a Pro – A great follow-on project once you’ve got your indoor maintenance basics under control.