Moving into a London Flat: Which Small Repairs Should You Check First?

1. Put safety and normal use ahead of appearance

Look around while rooms and fittings are still accessible. Keep moving boxes away from doors and walking routes, and note anything that prevents you using an item normally. You do not need to pull, shake or repeatedly operate something to prove that a fault exists.

• Immediate danger: stop the walk-through and seek the appropriate emergency help. A fire is a reason to call 999, not to wait for a routine repair appointment.
• Faults needing prompt assessment: report active leaks, electrical warning signs, insecure access or visibly unstable fittings before continuing to use the affected item.
• Contained everyday defects: arrange suitable minor repairs for loose cupboard handles, sticking drawers and similar problems once their scope is clear.
• Cosmetic work: small old fixing holes, scuffs and minor finishing can usually be considered after more important defects have been assessed.

Ask for the fire-safety and evacuation information specific to your building. London Fire Brigade explains that arrangements differ between blocks and that communal corridors and stairs need to remain clear. Follow the building's plan and emergency-service instructions. See the Brigade's guidance for flats [1].

2. Check doors, locks and the route through the flat

During normal use, notice whether the entrance door closes and the lock operates as expected. Report a key that catches, loose lock hardware or a latch that fails to engage. Avoid forcing the key or taking the mechanism apart. If you have access but the existing lock is unreliable, ask for help with door lock repair.

Look for loose threshold strips, damaged floor edges or fittings projecting into a walking route. Keep people away from an obvious hazard until it can be assessed. A small-looking defect deserves greater priority if it affects the route to the bathroom, bedroom or exit.

Keep fire doors separate from ordinary door adjustments. If a flat entrance or other fire door sticks, does not close properly or has damaged seals, report it to the building owner or managing agent. Do not trim, drill or alter it yourself. London Fire Brigade advises that fire-door repairs should be carried out by a qualified person. See fire-door guidance [2].

3. Separate water and electrical warning signs from small repairs

Visible water and damp patches

Where accessible without moving appliances or removing panels, look around sinks, exposed pipework and the base of fixtures. Record fresh drips, pooling water, damp cupboard bottoms or staining. Report an active leak promptly; keep away from water near electrical equipment.

A mark shows where water has appeared, but it does not establish the source. Damaged sealant, a pipe joint and another concealed issue require different assessments. For a visible pipe or joint leak, seek help with pipe leak repair. Avoid covering a damp area or arranging cosmetic finishing before the cause has been assessed.

Electrical fittings and signs noticed during normal use

Note damaged socket or switch covers and any scorch marks. If you have already noticed flickering lights, unusually hot plugs or unexplained circuit tripping, record that too. London Fire Brigade identifies these as possible signs of dangerous wiring and recommends assessment by a qualified electrician. See electrical safety guidance [3].

Do not remove covers, touch suspect fittings or repeatedly reset a circuit to investigate. Stop using the affected item and seek appropriate help. For a non-emergency enquiry about a specific fault, use help with electrical fault finding; immediate danger needs urgent assistance.

4. Review the minor fittings you will use every day

Once urgent concerns have been separated out, focus on whether ordinary fittings work as intended. Prioritise function and stability before decorative changes. The examples below are observations to report, not instructions to repair or load-test the items yourself.

On a narrow screen, scroll the table sideways to read all three columns.

Do not climb onto furniture to inspect high fittings, lean out of windows or move a heavy item to examine what is behind it. Mark anything you cannot safely see as requiring assessment. Furniture that has just been moved may also need its condition and any manufacturer-specified wall restraint reviewed before use.

5. Record defects and agree what happens next

Take a clear photograph where safe, identify the room and item, and describe what you noticed. Keep the observation separate from the diagnosis: “water under the sink cupboard” is more useful than guessing which part must be replaced. If you rent or manage the flat, compare your observations with the handover record and report discrepancies to the appropriate contact.

Confirm who can approve work before arranging alterations to fixtures, locks or building-controlled items. Ask who will handle each reported concern and keep a note of the agreed next step. A single enquiry can contain several jobs, but it does not confirm that one person or one visit can cover every trade.

Once priorities are clear, use the detailed guide to preparing a list of small jobs for a handyman visit to organise the routine work. Keep unresolved safety and specialist concerns visible rather than letting them disappear into a general decorating list.