Landlords – Ready for Winter Rental?

Is your rental property ready for winter?

Whether it’s wind, rain, snow, frost or ice winter can prove a hazardous time for your rental property. As a landlord it’s essential to keep on top of the risks. A comprehensive winter maintenance programme will keep your property operating smoothly and your tenants happy. So what should be on your checklist? Landlords – are you ready for a winter rental?

Is your rental property warm and cosy?

The fall in temperatures will mean that the heating will be on and utility bills will be going up as tenants try to keep warm. Ensuring your property is adequately insulated will prevent energy and money from being wasted by reducing the heating required. Loft insulation is a cheap and easy fix if you don’t have it installed already.  Simple measures such as heat reflective material behind radiators could also help to prevent heat from being lost.

Service boilers and bleed radiators  

If you haven’t already had the boiler in your rental property serviced this year, then it’s time to book a certified engineer. It will provide peace of mind for you and your tenants that the boiler is operating safely. It is also a legal obligation to get it checked annually. Doing so will also identify any potential problems that could cause heating to fail in the future, allowing you to avert a panicked call from tenants. Bleeding radiators will also ensure that your heating system is working efficiently and the boiler isn’t being overstretched.

Protect pipes and guttering

One of your biggest concerns will be the impact of freezing weather on your property. Pipes can freeze easily and if they do burst can cause extensive damage to your property. Clean out gutters to stop the water from collecting and freezing. Similarly, protect pipes from the cold by insulating any that are external or are inside in unheated areas, such as the loft. You may want to suggest to your tenants to keep the heating on low if they go away during the winter to prevent pipes freezing while they are not at home.

Keep client communication open

Another vital part of your winter maintenance routine should be keeping communication channels open with your tenants during and between your regular property inspections. They want to know that if they are worried about anything in their property, such as after a bad storm or if their heating is playing up, they can expect prompt action from you. Equally, it means they’ll report anything that might be a warning sign before it becomes a bigger problem. Two-way communication also means you can remind them of preventative measures they can take – such as adequate ventilation in the property if they are drying washing inside. This will help to prevent condensation that could cause mould.

Check the exterior of the property

As part of your winter maintenance review, it’s also important to thoroughly check the exterior of your property – especially for damage that may have occurred during particularly bad bouts of weather such as storms or heavy snowfalls. Loose tree branches or dislodged roof tiles could fall and injure your tenants or their visitors as well as causing property damage. If you or your tenants notice such issues it’s important to take action promptly.

Callaways Estate Agents is here to support landlords along the South Coast, including Falmer, Worthing, and Brighton & Hove. Contact us today to learn how we can help you adapt to new regulations and safeguard your investment. Reach out now for expert advice!