As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, the risk of problems occurring with rental properties increases. This month, Anna Pettinger sets out her winter survival tips for landlords…
I am concerned my rental property may dilapidate over winter. How can I make sure the weather doesn’t cause any major issues?
A lot can go wrong with properties during the winter, causing unnecessary expense and stress. The key is to be proactive and prevent problems occurring.
Here are my top ten tips to help landlords navigate the next few months:
1. Keep an eye on unoccupied properties: There is a much higher chance of problems occurring in empty houses. Look out for water leaks, boiler malfunctions and fire risks.
2. Be alert to potential theft and burglaries: When a property is not lived in, it can be a target for thieves, so consider installing prevention measures, such as an alarm or CCTV.
3. Check the condition of the roof: Preventing roof leaks in the cold/wet months can stop other problems occurring down the line. Insulating the roof will not only reduce energy consumption, but may also add value to the property.
4. Make sure gutters are cleared: Gutters can become blocked with leaves and debris, causing rainwater to run down the walls. This can trigger internal issues such as damp.
5. Keep in regular contact with your tenants: It is good to have plans in place for severe snow or flooding. Communicating these to your tenants may encourage them to help protect the property and inform you of any problems at an early stage.
6. Bleed the radiators: This will allow the radiators to heat up more quickly and warm the house efficiently, again preventing long term problems, such as damp.
7. Maintain a consistent temperature: Let your tenants know it is more effective to keep the temperature consistent throughout your property than it is to let it cool down overnight. Fitting draft excluders may help and can prevent mould occurring.
8. Keep the heating on low during vacant periods: If your tenants are planning to go away for a holiday, suggest they keep the heating on at a low level to prevent water pipes bursting. You should do the same if the property is empty.
9. Have the boiler serviced regularly: It is wise to have boilers in rented properties checked once a year, before the weather gets really cold and the central heating is used more heavily.
10. Check your insurance covers potential problems: If you need to call out an emergency plumber or boiler expert, having suitable insurance in place will put your mind at ease.
If you would like more information about letting a property, or dealing with tenants, don’t hesitate to contact me: anna.pettinger@tayloremmet.co.uk
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