With the countdown to Christmas on, it’s essential that landlords prepare their properties for the colder months.
We’ve put together the following checklist so you can keep your property in the best condition for your tenants this winter, right through to spring.
Boiler
With boilers working extra hard over the winter months, it’s essential to make sure that they have been serviced ahead of time.
You may want to consider putting a service plan in place to minimise future breakdowns and disturbances.
Water pipes
Frozen water pipes are a common problem when the weather starts to turn colder.
Ensuring pipes have been properly lagged and insulated will prevent them from freezing or splitting – an expensive job to repair as a landlord.
Advising tenants to keep the heating on, even at a low temperature, may be worth considering to further prevent any problems with pipes.
Guttering
Whether your property is rented out or vacant this winter, clearing out your gutters is important to avoid potential leaks.
A build-up of leaves or debris in your gutters can stop rainwater or snow from draining away.
If not cleared away properly, this can cause several problems, including leaks, damp and cracked drainpipes.
Insulation
If the insulation in your property is properly checked, then it can go a long way to helping reduce your heating bills.
A better-insulated property will reduce the amount of heat lost and can therefore be a lot more attractive to tenants. Investing in your property’s insulation can also fetch you a higher rent too.
If you own older buildings or houses with a loft conversion, it’s important to make sure these are well insulated, it’s also worth noting that grants can be available to help improve insulation.
Windows and doors
Before the cold weather really sets in, you should take the time to inspect your seals on both windows and doors.
Draft excluders can often be a popular and cheap method to tackle drafts coming through doors.
As your leading local agent, we know how important it is to carry out a winter inspection on your properties to ensure the comfort of your tenants and avoid future repair costs.
For more information on any of the above or to talk with a member of our team, contact us.
