Winter requires additional maintenance, which is important to know as a rental property owner. Some people only think about seasonal tasks like putting away outdoor furniture or turning off the sprinklers, but there are other important things that need to be done to keep your rental property in good shape during the winter.
Continue reading to find out more about the most important winter maintenance tasks for rental property owners!
Winter Exterior Home Maintenance
Addressing 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:
- Cleaning out the gutters and downspouts of any trash.
- Checking and fixing the lights outside.
- Covering intake vents with screens to prevent rodent intrusion.
- Maintaining and storing outdoor furniture, including grills.
- Taking hoses and sprinkler systems apart and putting them away neatly in a shed or garage.
- Cleaning and checking all of the chimneys and fires.
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:
- 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
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. 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.
Keep up with these winter maintenance tasks to keep your rental property safe and comfortable for your tenants and to avoid damage that could lead to 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. Call Real Property Management Unlimited right now to find out how we can help you protect and take care of your East Hampton and nearby property, so you don’t have to worry about the season ahead. You can call 516-875-1600 or contact us via email.
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