As a Newport News property manager, you should ensure your properties are prepared for winter. The cold weather can be hard on homes and buildings, and if your rentals are not well prepared, you could result in expensive repair bills and angry renters. In addition to performing crucial maintenance on your property’s major systems, you also need to be prepared to handle freezing temperatures and inclement weather. By doing so, you can prevent emergencies and help protect the value of your investment property.
Here are 10 essential outdoor and indoor tasks that will get your rental property ready for winter!
Outdoor
- Check your rental property’s exterior walls, roof, and windows for any damage or leaks that could allow moisture or cold air to seep in. Sealing any cracks and repairing damaged areas can help prevent water from getting inside your rental homes, which can lead to costly repairs and mold growth.
- To keep them from freezing during winter, make sure that all outdoor pipes and fixtures are wrapped with insulation or heat tape. Regularly checking for frozen pipes and thawing them as needed will help prevent burst pipes and flooding in your rental properties.
- Verify that your rental property’s gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems are free from obstructions and functioning correctly. Congested gutters can cause flooding during heavy rain and snow, while faulty drainage systems can allow water to build up in the foundation of your rental homes and lead to pricey repairs.
- To help avoid cracking and damage from the cold weather, think about installing a protective coating or sealant on your rental property’s driveway, sidewalk, and steps. This will help guarantee that these areas 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. Also, be sure 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 tidy.
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, keeping your renters nice and comfortable during the chilly winter months.
- Arrange for annual furnace maintenance by a qualified expert to guarantee that your rental property’s heating system works properly. Frequently servicing your Newport News rental home’s heating system will help diminish the risk of emergency repair needs and extend 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 perfect working order, as these devices could save lives during emergencies such as fires or gas leaks. Replacing or upgrading out-of-date smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can help keep your rental properties safe and secure.
- Ensure that all faucets, drains, and appliances in your rental properties are functioning properly and that there are no leaks or clogs that could pose serious issues during the winter months. Regularly checking these parts will not only save you money on expensive work, but it can also help prevent water damage in your rental homes.
- Examine and maintain each fireplace and chimney. Dirty fireplaces and soot build-up inside chimneys are prone to a variety of house fires during the winter. To protect your rental property and renters, safeguarding that all flues and chimneys are free from buildup and in good working order is important.
As a rental property owner, it’s imperative to take the appropriate procedures to prepare your investment properties for winter. By doing these activities, you can help keep your renters warm and safe during the cold season while preventing expensive repairs and damage.
Nevertheless, completing preventative maintenance on a schedule can be complicated. This is especially the case during the busy holiday season. However, Real Property Management Complete experts can help! Contact us online today to learn more about our high-quality services.
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