Take Care of Your Rental House Before Winter

Get your rental home ready for winter - literally and figuratively. You and your tenants should be thinking about the coming winter months, and that means it's time to start cleaning, maintaining, and preparing the property. The cold weather is coming, so you'll want to get ahead of it! Here are some things to do as a renter:

Water

- When the weather turns cold, the windows that were once open need to be closed and weatherized to prevent infiltration. This is especially important on windows in less-used rooms, such as basements and garages.

Pipes

-Check all exhaust pipes and make sure they're in good working order; you don't want carbon monoxide leaking into your home because of an old vent or ductwork. Make sure all vents are securely mounted, too.

Alarm Systems

-Check that your smoke alarm batteries are fresh and replaced as needed by the manufacturer. As the cold starts to kick in, there might be some technical issues that you might not notice.

Fans

-Clean or replace blades on any ceiling fans. Make sure they're in good working order and use a broom to sweep up any dust or grime that accumulates.

Valves

-Turn off water valves and disconnect hoses if applicable (one hose per sink, for example).

Exterior Problems

- If you have problems with water seeping in or through your roof, the roofer you hired should be able to come back and take care of it.

Special Notes

- If you have the opportunity to visit or inspect your rental property before the snowdrops and temperatures plunge, it's a great idea to conduct a walkthrough of your property. Take note of any possible issues that you may need to address when the spring thaw rolls around in the coming months. If you live anywhere where there is freezing weather, be sure to inspect your exterior doors, decks, and other features that may be damaged by cold weather.

-  It's also a good idea to take a tour of the inside of your home and make an inventory list of all possible issues that you may or may not have time to address in preparation for winter. Insulate all necessary areas, fix any broken windows or leaky pipes, and check your fire extinguishers in case they need replacing. You should also check to see if your tenants are storing any flammable materials on the property or have created any other safety hazards (like piles of dead leaves).

- Even if you don't think your property will be affected by winter weather, it's a good idea to clean it anyway. You can remove any snow and ice from the driveway, walkways, and front stoop. It's a great idea to sweep and mop the floors and surfaces throughout your home as well. If you have pets, make sure their enclosures are free of debris so that their health is not compromised.

- At some point during the winter months, you'll want to test the heating system in your home. Make sure you know where the shut-off valves are located, and that they are functional. If there is anything wrong with your furnace or boiler, you also want to be prepared to fix it. Have all necessary tools on hand, and know where to find your heating and cooling manual so that you can troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

- Gutters are a major point of entry into your home, so they should be cleaned and maintained regularly. Check the condition of all gutter joints, as well as any other possible leaks in the system.

- During winter months, you may need to stock up on foods that your tenants may need for food storage and emergency preparedness. Make sure there are enough supplies for everyone, and that you have the proper can opener, utensils, and other cooking tools on hand.

Keeping in mind that your tenants are the ones who are in your home when the weather gets cold, it's a good idea to make sure your renters are aware of all of this information as well. If they're prepared and you're prepared, you'll be able to stay warm and comfortable all winter long!

Thank you so much for reading! See you at the next one!