Winter is an especially challenging time for rental property owners. With cold temperatures, harsh weather conditions, and the potential for damage to your property, it’s important to take proactive steps to winterize your rental properties. In this post, we’ll discuss 10 tips and best practices for winterizing rental properties.
Check for Drafts and Insulation – Saves Your Tenant Money
One of the most important steps in winterizing your rental property is to check for drafts and inadequate insulation. You can do this by inspecting doors, windows, and walls to make sure there are no gaps or leaks. If you find any gaps or leaks, be sure to seal them up with weatherstripping, caulking, or foam insulation. This will help keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside. Request a winterization inspection.
Service Your Heating System – Protect Your Asset and Keep Your Tenant Happy
Another crucial step in preparing your rental property for winter is to service your heating system. This includes having your furnace or boiler inspected and cleaned by a professional HVAC technician. It’s also important to replace the air filters to ensure your heating system is running efficiently. A well-maintained heating system will not only keep your tenants warm, but it will also help prevent breakdowns and costly repairs. Check Our Tips on Heating System Care.
Inspect and Clean Gutters – Protect Your Asset
During the fall, gutters can become clogged with leaves and debris. If left unchecked, clogged gutters can cause water to back up and potentially damage your property’s foundation, roof, or siding. To avoid this, inspect and clean your gutters before the winter season. If necessary, hire a professional to do the job for you.
Protect Pipes from Freezing – Protect Your Asset and Keep Your Tenant Happy
When temperatures drop below freezing, pipes can burst if they’re not properly insulated or protected. To prevent this from happening, make sure your rental property’s pipes are properly insulated and protected. If you have pipes that are located in unheated areas, such as attics or crawl spaces, consider installing heat tape to keep them warm. Check out our Winterization Services.
Prepare Your Landscaping – Curb Appeal Even in the Cold Months
Winter weather can be harsh on landscaping, so it’s important to prepare your rental property’s landscaping for the winter season. This includes removing any dead or diseased trees, trimming back shrubs and bushes, and removing any debris or leaves from the property. You may also want to spread mulch around the base of trees and plants to protect their roots from the cold.
Install Programmable Thermostats – Saves the Tenant Money
Installing programmable thermostats in your rental property can be a great way to save energy and money during the winter months. These thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day, so you can lower the heat when your tenants are away or asleep. This can help reduce your heating costs while still keeping your tenants comfortable.
Stock up on Winter Supplies – Super Convenient with No Rushing Around
Make sure your rental property is stocked with plenty of winter supplies, such as snow shovels, salt or ice melt, and extra blankets. This will help your tenants stay safe and warm during the winter months. If you have short term rentals, you may also want to consider providing your tenants with a winter emergency kit that includes items like flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies.
Here are 7 essential winter supplies you should consider having on hand for your rental property:
- Snow shovel: This is an essential tool for clearing snow from walkways and driveways to prevent slips and falls.
- Ice melt/salt: These products can help melt snow and ice on sidewalks and driveways, making them safer for tenants to walk on.
- Snow blower: If you have a larger property, a snow blower can be a faster and more efficient way to clear snow from driveways and walkways.
- Winter tires: If you are responsible for maintaining the parking lot or driveway of the rental property, you may want to consider having winter tires on your vehicle to ensure safe driving on snowy and icy roads.
- Space heaters: Space heaters can be a good way to provide extra warmth to a particular room, especially if the property’s heating system isn’t adequate.
- Blankets: Extra blankets can be provided to tenants to keep them warm and cozy during the colder months.
- De-icer spray: In addition to ice melt or salt, you may also want to have a de-icer spray on hand for use on car windows and locks to help prevent freezing.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Tenant Safety is Important
Winter is a high-risk season for fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, so it’s important to make sure your rental property’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. Test these detectors and replace any batteries as needed to ensure they are functioning properly.
Protect Your Property from Snow and Ice – Asset Protection
Snow and ice can cause enormous damage to your rental property if not properly addressed. Be sure to clear snow from sidewalks and driveways, and apply salt or ice melt to prevent slips and falls. You should also inspect your roof for any snow buildup or ice and remove them as necessary to prevent water damage.
Communicate with Your Tenants – Keeps Everyone on The Same Page
Finally, it’s important to communicate with your tenants about your winterization efforts and what they can do to help keep the property safe and warm during the winter. Provide them with a list of winterization tips and best practices and encourage them to report any maintenance issues or concerns as soon as possible.
By following these tips, you can further ensure that your rental property is properly winterized and prepared for the colder months.
Winterizing your rental property is crucial for protecting your investment and ensuring your tenants are comfortable and safe. By following these tips, you can help prevent costly damage to your property, save energy and money, and keep your tenants satisfied. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take action now if you have not prepared your rental property for winter. If you need assistance, we can help. Contact Baltimore Village property management for assistance in winterizing your property. Your property and your tenants will thank you for it.
