As a Magnolia Square property manager, it is essential to guarantee your properties are equipped for winter. The cold weather can cause damage to homes and buildings, and if your rentals are not fully- prepared, you could wind up with excessive repair bills and disappointed renters. In addition to the fact that you should be prepared to manage freezing temperatures and inclement weather, you should also perform maintenance on your property’s major systems. This can help prevent emergencies and help you protect the value of your investment property.
The following are 10 essential outdoor and indoor tasks that will prepare your rental property for winter!
Outdoor
- Take a look at your rental property’s exterior walls, roof, and windows for any damage or leaks that could permit moisture or cold air to leak in. Fixing any cracks and repairing damaged areas can assist with keeping water from getting inside your rental homes, which can prompt expensive repairs and mold growth.
- Ensure all outdoor pipes and fixtures are wrapped with insulation or heat tape to keep them from freezing during winter. Routinely checking for frozen pipes and thawing them as needed will assist with preventing burst pipes and flooding in your rental properties.
- Investigate your rental property’s gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems to ensure they are clear of trash and functioning appropriately. Jammed gutters can prompt flooding during heavy rain and snow, while damaged drainage systems can make water gather in the foundation of your rental homes and lead to exorbitant fixes.
- Think about installing a protective coating or sealant on your rental property’s driveway, sidewalk, and steps to assist with keeping cracking and damage from the cold weather. This will assist with guaranteeing that these places are safe and easy to navigate during the winter while protecting your rental property’s curb appeal.
- Cut back trees and prepare your landscaping for winter. If your property has trees, bushes, and shrubs, get them ready for winter months by trimming them back. Additionally, make certain to winterize your sprinkler system and cover up any exposed pipes or fixtures to prevent freezing. Maintaining a winter-ready rental property means keeping your lawn and garden areas clean.
Indoor
- Reverse the direction of all ceiling fans. Ceiling fans should spin clockwise in warm temperatures and counterclockwise in cold temps. This is because ceiling fans turning in a counterclockwise direction will help push warm air down to the floor, which can assist with keeping your renters nice and pleasant during the cold winter months.
- Schedule annual furnace maintenance by a qualified professional to guarantee that your rental property’s heating system works appropriately. Routinely servicing your Magnolia Square rental home’s heating system will assist with decreasing the risk of emergency repair needs and prolong the life of your investment property’s major systems.
- Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your rental properties to make sure they are in good working order, as these devices could save lives during emergencies like fires or gas leaks. Replacing or upgrading outdated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can help keep your rental properties safe and secure.
- Inspect all faucets, drains, and appliances in your rental properties to ensure they are functioning appropriately and that there are no leaks or clogs that could create significant problems during the winter months. Consistently assessing these areas will not only save you money on expensive fixes, but it can also help prevent water damage in your rental homes.
- Review and clean each fireplace and chimney. Dirty fireplaces and soot build-up inside chimneys are typical reasons for house fires during the winter. To protect your rental property and renters, guaranteeing that all flues and chimneys are clear of buildup and in good working order is significant.
As a rental property owner, you should take the necessary measures to prepare your investment properties for winter. By carrying out these activities, you can help keep your renters warm and safe during the cold season while preventing costly repairs and damage.
Still, completing preventative maintenance on a schedule can be a challenge. This is especially true during the busy holiday season. But the pros at Real Property Management Trusted Hands can help! Contact us online today to learn more about our quality services.
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