As a rental property owner, it is crucial to remember that winter demands additional maintenance. While some people only think of seasonal tasks such as storing outdoor furniture or turning off the sprinkler system, other important tasks must be done to ensure that your rental property remains in good condition during winter.
Continue reading to learn more about the most essential winter maintenance tasks for rental property owners!
Winter Exterior Home Maintenance
Resolving any exterior damage that may have happened during the summer is one of the most significant winter maintenance tasks for rental property owners. This could entail repairing siding that is damaged, replacing broken shingles on the roof, and repairing cracks in windows or doors.
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
Indoor maintenance tasks are crucial for a rental property owner. Making sure your home is well protected during the winter is another important thing to think about. In order to prevent drafts, this may entail 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.
Some necessary tasks for maintaining the interior of your home include:
- Removing and storing any window-mounted air conditioning units.
- Servicing your HVAC system to ensure it is in good working order.
- Reversing the direction of your ceiling fans (counterclockwise is best for cooler weather).
- Checking the batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Prevent Injuries and Property Damage
Getting rid of snow from walkways, driveways, and steps on a daily basis is very important if your rental property is in an area that gets snow in the winter. This will help to prevent slips and falls, which could result in injuries and potential lawsuits. In order to prevent ice buildup, make sure you have the right shovels, a plowing service, and bags of snow melt, salt, or sand.
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. Ice dams, which form when snow melts and refreezes on the roof, can cause significant damage if not addressed promptly. Hiring a professional to inspect and repair your roof immediately is recommended to avoid costly emergency repairs.
By staying on top of these winter maintenance tasks, you can help ensure your tenants’ safety and comfort while protecting your rental property from potential damage and costly repairs.
Additional Winter Maintenance
To ensure that the HVAC system in your rental property is working at its best, it is essential to perform regular maintenance tasks. One of these tasks is to change the HVAC filter in your rental property at least every three months, or more often if needed. If the filter is dirty, it could block airflow, which would make the device work harder and use more energy. By changing the filter on a regular basis, you can improve system efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Enjoy peace of mind this winter! You can protect your rental property in any weather by working with a property management company that has been around for a while. Get in touch with us right away to find out how Real Property Management Peace can protect and care for your investments in Southern Highlands and the nearby area so you don’t have to worry about the coming season. You can call us at 702-848-2509 or contact us online.
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