During the winter, rental property owners must remember to perform additional maintenance. Other critical tasks must be completed to ensure that your rental property remains in good condition during winter, even though some people only think of seasonal tasks like storing outdoor furniture or turning off the irrigation system.
Continue reading to learn more about the most important winter maintenance tasks for rental property owners!
Winter Exterior Home Maintenance
Addressing any exterior damage that may have occurred during the summer is one of the most significant winter maintenance tasks for rental property owners. Fixing damaged siding, replacing missing or broken roof shingles, and repairing cracks in windows or doors are all possible.
Some noteworthy tasks for maintaining the exterior of your home include:
- Making sure the gutters and downspouts are clear of any debris.
- Inspecting and fixing outside streetlights.
- To prevent rats from entering, screens should be covering intake vents.
- Maintaining and storing outdoor furniture, including grills.
- Cleaning out hoses and sprinkler systems and putting them away in a garage or shed in an orderly fashion.
- Giving every chimney and fireplace a thorough cleaning and inspection.
Indoor Maintenance Tasks
It is necessary for rental property owners to execute many maintenance tasks indoors. Having a well-insulated home is also important for the winter months. In order to prevent drafts, this may entail checking and placing weatherstripping around doors and windows, adding insulation to basements and attics, 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 putting away any air conditioners that are installed on the window.
- Checking the condition of your HVAC system by servicing it.
- If it’s going to be chilly outside, turn your ceiling fans counterclockwise.
- Checking the batteries on all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Prevent Injuries and Property Damage
Keep in mind that if your rental property is situated in a snowy region during the winter, you will need to regularly clear snow from walkways, driveways, and steps. This will assist to prevent slips and falls, which could lead to injuries and potential lawsuits. Having suitable shovels, a plowing service, and bags of snow melt, salt, or sand on hand will help prevent ice buildup.
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 on roofs when snow melts and then freezes again, can cause significant damage if not addressed promptly. Hire a professional to inspect and repair your roof straight away to avoid costly emergency repairs.
By staying on top of these winter maintenance tasks, you can ensure the safety and comfort of your renters and prevent costly problems to your rental property.
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. Get in touch with Real Property Management Verita right away to find out how we can help you keep your investments safe in Lake Nona and the surrounding areas, so you don’t have to worry about the season ahead. You can call 321-972-6823 or contact us via email.
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