How to Prepare your Rental Property for the Winter Season
Even though we are enjoying the fall season with pumpkins and fall foliage, it is the perfect time before in climate weather arrives to begin winter preparation on your rental properties. Here is an 11-point checklist to help prepare your rental properties for the upcoming winter season.
#1 Winterize the AC unit and service and change the filters on the heating unit. Covering and protecting the AC unit can keep it in tiptop shape for the next season of use. Test and run the heating unit now so you can assess if it needs anything. This will help you being stuck with a middle of the cold season service call.
#2 Inspect the roof and clean the gutters. It is much easier to make the needed repairs in decent weather than when it is 20 degrees and snowing. You do not need the extra hazard of you or a repairman on an icy roof. If the gutters are clogged the standing water can freeze and it can cause roof damage, so cleaning the debris out now can save headaches down the road.
#3 Arrange for snow removal services now. This is also a good time to communicate with the tenant about the expectations of snow removal, who will be doing it and what their role is. Securing a snow removal company or individual now will also help you to not be in a bind if there is an early season snow.
#4 Inspect and repair doors and windows on the property. If there are leaks or broken windows, repairing them prior to the cold season will help you or your tenants on the heating bill.
#5 Wrap pipes and seal holes under sinks. If vulnerable pipes are identified and inspected and wrapped prior to freezing season, this can potentially save a lot of hassle and money down the road. Frozen pipes that burst are not only costly but can wreak havoc with other electrical systems, flooring and plumbing.
#6 Inspect and have the chimney cleaned out. If your property has a fireplace or wood burning stove it is essential to have it seasonally inspected. After a summer of non-use often birds or rodents will take up residence in them. It is best to not allow tenants to even use the fireplace, because it becomes more of a liability for you the landlord, but in case you do let them use it please be sure to clean out prior to winter season use.
#7 Trim bushes, trees and shrubs. Depending on the amount of snowfall or ice that you get this can mean the difference in a damaged property or not. The heavy weight of the snow can often break down shrubs or bushes if they are overgrown which will usually mean removal or replacement cost in the spring.
#8 Set up weather alerts on your mobile device. This may be a given for some savvy property managers but it is worth a reminder. If you have multiple properties in multiple locations you can have individual alerts set up in each location. This will help warn you and your tenants of any potential weather hazards.
#9 Reverse the ceiling fans. You can do this the same time that you arrange to inspect the furnace or heating unit. This draws the hot air down from the ceiling and will assist your tenants with their heating bill.
#10 Test or check the sump pump. Make sure that it is in working condition and if it has been unusually dry test it by filling sump pit with water. This can be disastrous and flood the basement, damaging water heaters, furnaces and finishes if it isn’t working.
#11 Drain water and turn off outside faucets. This is something that often gets overlooked and can be a guaranteed replacement of the outside faucet if it freezes and cracks. It also can mean inside the wall water damage when it thaws, if that happens.
Taking the time to go over the plans with your tenant on move in will also help to alleviate problems with getting access to the rental to accomplish these pre-winter tasks. With a little forethought and a bit of preparation, you can make sure that you sail through the winter season with ease.
