As the colder months approach, landlords should prepare their rental properties for the severe weather of winter. Keeping your rental maintained and ready for the season ensures tenant safety, protects your investment, and prevents costly repairs. Here are a few steps you can do to prepare your rental unit for the upcoming colder months:
- Inspect and perform HVAC maintenance
- Insulate pipes and external fixtures
- Conduct roof inspections and make necessary repairs
- Communicate with tenants
Inspect and Perform HVAC Maintenance
Having heat during the winter is an essential lifeline for your tenant. Schedule an inspection with a local HVAC technician to ensure the furnace operates appropriately during these colder months. HVAC technicians will advise whether the system is heating efficiently and safely.
Also, landlords should check floor registers and inspect ducts for normal wear and tear. They should change air filters and ensure that thermostats are working correctly. If anything looks like it needs replacing, landlords should coordinate those replacements.
Insulate Pipes and External Fixtures
Busted pipes quickly become a nightmare, especially if they happen in the middle of winter. Insulating pipes prone to freezing is critical to prevent catastrophic flooding and damage to your tenant’s belongings.
In addition to insulating pipes, landlords should ensure tenants know what to do if temperatures drop below freezing. These tasks may include leaving cabinet doors under sinks, letting faucets drip slightly overnight, and insulating outdoor fixtures, like faucets, for the season.
Conduct Roof Inspections and Make Necessary Repairs
Any missing shingles and holes in the roof may allow water to seep into the attic, creating leaks and potentially more costly and hazardous conditions like mold. Replacing missing shingles, repairing holes, and removing potential hazards like nearby tree branches are some examples of repairs and maintenance due to a roof inspection.
Apart from roof inspections, landlords should inspect gutters and downspouts as well. Improper draining of the downspout might deteriorate the fascia and create rot in parts of the roof. Improper draining may also create pooling and freezing right near the foundation, creating more costly repairs in the future.
Communicate With Tenants
Clear communication with tenants is vital to preparing your rental for the colder months. Tenants may be able to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, test their furnaces, and provide any insights on areas of possible concern before the beginning of the winter season.
Landlords should also take the time to provide preventative maintenance instructions to their tenants, like turning the heat on if the indoor temperatures fall below a certain threshold. Also, explain where the main water shut-off valve is in case of an emergency.
Winter Preparations Benefit You and Your Tenant
As temperatures drop, rental properties must be inspected for the colder season. HVAC systems, pipes, and roofs can be one of the costliest parts of a rental property to repair. To maximize your cash flow and minimize your maintenance and repair expenses, it is best to routinely check these areas of your rental before entering the winter season.
Kajen Rentals is a local Louisiana property management company overseeing rentals across Monroe, West Monroe, Bastrop, and Oak Grove. If you want to learn more about how we help landlords better manage their rentals, contact us today.