Winter proofing your outdoor space

Weather forecasts show that the UK could be hit with below-freezing weather conditions throughout January, with a higher chance of snow, frost, ice and sleet. 

Published: 08/01/2024

---

We’ve put together some top tips for weatherproofing your outdoor space to ensure it’s ready for these colder conditions to help keep everyone safe and well.  

Guttering  

Leaves and debris from trees in gutters can cause blockages. These blockages can cause rainwater to spill over the side of your gutters, encouraging dampness and mould to your exterior walls.   

If you spot any blocked guttering, cracked or damaged guttering and downpipes, please contact us to let us know, and we’ll arrange for them to be cleared or fixed.   

Looking after any outdoor furniture  

Ensure you put any moveable items, such as parasols and outdoor ornaments, in storage to protect them from damp and wind exposure.  

Clearing fall leaves  

The winter months are a busy time for our Estates Services teams, who’ve already cleared lots of fallen leaves from the communal paths and spaces across all our estates and neighbourhoods. If you have any individual pathways or outdoor spaces, sweeping fallen leaves, snow, and ice is a good idea to ensure no slip hazards during wet and cold conditions.  

Storage  

Please don’t store any items on your balcony, as this can encourage fire to spread. No plastic or wooden sheds are allowed on balconies. A small metal cabinet may be acceptable for storage, but please contact us before installing one.  

We ask that you don’t have any fires or naked flames on your balcony or communal areas at any time. This includes barbecues, chimineas, fire pits and candles.    

Learn more about fire safety in our home safety section.  

Winter wildlife  

The winter months can be tough for our wildlife, but we can give them a helping hand. You can place bird feeders in your outdoor space or make a hedgehog shelter to help them when it gets cold.   

Contact us  

Please contact us if you have any questions or want to report a communal repair.  

You can also visit our winter-ready page for lots of other ways to help you prepare for the colder months, save money, stay safe and well, and be a little more sustainable this winter.