As a rental property owner, you should be aware that winter necessitates additional maintenance. Some people only think about seasonal tasks like putting away outdoor furniture or turning off the sprinklers. But there are other important things you need to do in the winter to keep your rental property in good shape.
Read on to learn more about the most important winter maintenance tasks that rental property owners need to do!
Winter Exterior Home Maintenance
One of the most significant winter maintenance tasks for a rental property owner is to repair any exterior damage that may have occurred over the summer. This might involve fixing broken shingles on the roof, fixing cracks in windows or doors, and fixing damaged siding.
Some noteworthy tasks for maintaining the exterior of your home include:
- Clearing any debris from the gutters and downspouts.
- Checking and repairing outdoor lighting.
- Covering intake vents with screens to keep rodents out.
- Cleaning and storing outdoor furniture and grills.
- Draining hoses and sprinkler systems and storing hoses neatly in a shed or garage.
- Cleaning and inspecting all fireplaces and chimneys.
Indoor Maintenance Tasks
A rental property owner must complete indoor maintenance tasks. One more important thing to think about is how to keep your house safe during the winter. Checking and putting weatherstripping around doors and windows, adding insulation to attics and basements, and insulating pipes to keep them from freezing in freezing weather are some things that can be done to prevent drafts.
Some necessary tasks for maintaining the interior of your home include:
- Taking down and storing any air conditioners that are placed in windows.
- Servicing your HVAC system to make sure it’s in good shape.
- Change the direction of your ceiling fans (counterclockwise is best when it’s cooler outside).
- Checking the batteries in all carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
Prevent Injuries and Property Damage
Daily clearing of snow from walkways, driveways, and steps is very important if your rental property is in a place that gets snow in the winter. This will help to prevent slips and falls, which may lead to injuries and potential lawsuits. Make sure you have the right shovels, a plowing service, and bags of snow melt, salt, or sand in order to prevent ice buildup.
It’s also important to watch your rental property’s roof and gutters during winter, especially in areas with heavy snow or freezing temperatures. Repeated thawing and freezing cycles can cause significant damage to a roof and lead to flooding or other water damage. If not fixed right away, ice dams, which develop when snow melts and then freezes again on the roof, can do significant damage. To prevent costly emergency repairs, it is advised to hire a professional to inspect and fix your roof right away.
By keeping up with these winter maintenance tasks, you can help keep your renters safe and comfortable and keep your rental property from getting damaged and needing expensive repairs.
Additional Winter Maintenance
Regular maintenance tasks are necessary to make sure that the HVAC system in your rental property is functioning effectively. One of these tasks is changing the HVAC filter in your rental property at least every three months, or more often if needed. The system has to work harder and use more energy when the filter is dirty because it can block airflow. You can increase the system’s performance and reduce energy costs by changing the filter frequently.
Enjoy peace of mind this winter! Working with a professional property management business is the best way to make sure that your rental property is safe in any weather. In Pierce County and nearby, Real Property Management Excelled can help protect and keep your investments. Contact us today to learn more and look forward to a worry-free season. You can call us at 253-275-5999.
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