With the colder months slowly creeping in, it is time to prepare your rental property for winter. Adverse weather conditions can present negative risks for landlords. From frozen pipes to leaky roofs, the winter months can prove to be extremely costly. Luckily, there are ways you can prepare your property to tackle these risks. Here are four things landlords need to ward off disaster and prepare for the months ahead.
Professional Property Management Services
First and foremost, landlords who don’t have the time to travel back and forth to their rental home should rent their property out through a property management company. Being a landlord can be extremely taxing. Tenants expect you to drop everything when they encounter the slightest issue—even if the issue is not urgent and could wait until your next scheduled visit. Homebox provides total property management services to exasperated landlords. Their services include maintenance and utility management, scheduled inspections, and emergency visits. By delegating these duties to a property manager, you can focus your attention on more important things, such as preparing your primary home for winter.
Insulation Gear
A well-insulated property is a must if you want to keep your tenants warm and comfortable this winter. Not to mention, insulating your home can also protect it from the cold weather and enable it to run properly. Water tanks should be protected with an insulated box to prevent it from freezing, while hot water cylinders can retain heat more efficiently with insulating jackets. Additionally, exposed pipes should be wrapped in foam tubing, and radiator reflector panels can be installed to reduce heat loss. If your rental home is prone to drafts and cold spots, but you don’t want to fork out on replacing doors and windows, invest in draft excluders. Your tenants will appreciate your attention to detail, and they can use them during spells of cold weather.
Shovel
If your property is located in an area that is prone to snowfall during the year, make sure there is a shovel on hand. Keep one in the garage or shed to help you dig your way out of a snowstorm. A shovel will be much appreciated by your tenants when they get snowed in, especially if they need to make a path to get to work in the morning.
Of course, while your tenants may go out and buy a snowblower, the gesture of providing the appropriate tools is still going to be appreciated.
Serviced Boiler
Properties that use a gas boiler to heat water and stay warm need to make sure the boiler is in good condition, especially during winter. The last thing you want is your tenant complaining about a broken boiler in the middle of the night. Scheduling in a regular service will show your tenant you care, it will prevent emergency visits, and it can also save you a lot of money in the long run too. Maintaining a boiler is much cheaper than replacing it with a brand new model. Not to mention, proper maintenance will ensure your boiler is working efficiently and is safe to use.
