How To Prepare Your Rental Property For Winter

Winter can be a tough time for rental properties. The cold weather and snow can take a toll on the exterior of the property, and the dry air inside can damage furniture and other belongings. If you’re a landlord, it’s important to take steps to prepare your rental property for winter. This will help to protect your investment and keep your tenants happy and comfortable.

Here are some tips on how to prepare your rental property for winter:

Exterior

• Inspect the roof and gutters. Make sure that the roof is in good condition and that the gutters are clear of debris. This will help to prevent leaks and ice dams.
• Seal any cracks or holes in the exterior of the building. This will help to keep the cold air out and the heat in.
• Add insulation to the attic and crawl space. This will help to improve the energy efficiency of the property and keep it warm in the winter.
• Trim trees and shrubs around the property. This will help to prevent branches from falling on the house or blocking the power lines.
• Turn off and drain outside faucets and hoses. This will help to prevent them from freezing and bursting.

Interior

• Inspect the heating system. Have a qualified HVAC technician inspect and clean the heating system to make sure that it’s in good working order.
• Insulate the pipes. Insulate the pipes in the attic, crawl space, and basement to prevent them from freezing.
• Seal any air leaks. Seal any air leaks around windows and doors with caulk or weather-stripping.
• Install a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to set the temperature to be lower when you’re not home and higher when you are.
• Clean the gutters and downspouts. Clean the gutters and downspouts to remove any leaves, debris, or snow. This will help to prevent water from backing up and causing damage to the roof or foundation.

Other tips

• Provide your tenants with a snow shovel and ice melt. This will help them to safely clear the walkways and driveway in the winter.
• Ask your tenants to keep their heat on at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when they’re not home. This will help to prevent the pipes from freezing.
• Make sure that your tenants have a way to contact you if they have any problems during the winter months.

By following these tips, you can prepare your rental property for winter and help to ensure that your tenants have a comfortable and safe place to live.

Additional tips:

• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected before the start of the winter season. This will help to prevent chimney fires.
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the property. Test the detectors regularly to make sure they’re working properly.
• Have a plan in place in case of a power outage. This could include having a generator or a backup heating source.
• Communicate with your tenants about your winter preparation plans. This will help them to be prepared and to know what to do if they have any problems.