Home Rental Property Maintenance for the Winter Season

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The winter season is almost near. And it’s not just the holidays, gifts, and celebrations that we should be preparing. As an owner of rental property, we value our property as much as our precious jewelry, or maybe even more. We all know that rain and snow don’t give us any favor when it comes to keeping our property well and in good condition. So, it is necessary to have winter maintenance a few months before the first snowfall.

Winter maintenance helps prevent or lessen tenants’ emergency requests during winter. It also keeps your property safe and appliances friendly during a snowy day – thus, protecting your investment during the season. It is better to prevent future damages and unnecessary maintenance than to save a small amount of money.

To keep your home rental property winter-friendly and snow safe during the season, below is the list of how to maintain your investment property.

Trim Tree Branches and Shrubs

The first snow of the year is indeed one of the most beautiful and awaited days of the whole year, but the rest of the winter season is not as calming as the first day. The Winter season comes with snow, ice, and strong wind- which can quickly bring down weak limbs. And these tree limbs can accidentally fall into the property. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect trees on your property near your rental house and trim the dead, damaged tree branches before the winter season.

Clean Gutters

While checking the condition of your roof, don’t forget to also look at the gutters. Gutters can cause a buildup of debris and leaves. And if left unchecked, it will weaken it and might cause obstruction when the snow melts into the water can. Then during the winter, multiple layers of snow may cause the gutter to detach to your roof, so check out the strength of your gutter to know if it needs repairing.

Spare Some Time for Roof Inspection

Snow piles can get heavy and a hassle when left piled up on your roof. As part of your yearly winter maintenance – a roof inspection is necessary for safety. Check your roof, ceiling, or, if you have one, rooftop for cracks and faultiness. A roof inspection is a perfect way to check and replace fragmented roof tiles to avoid further accidents during the windy winter. It can also prevent leaks as well as snow and water damage.

Winterize Property Pipes

During winter, the drop in temperature during the season is prevalent in most states. And these temperature drops can cause damage to your rental property, especially in indoor pipes. Because of the low temperature, pipes could freeze over and burst thus, could lead to major hassle maintenance during the season. So, invest in a professional to check and winterize all the pipes in your rental property before winter.

Dry Up your Hoses and Spigot

Any items or appliances involved with water will need to be dried up completely before winter, especially those hoses and spigots outdoors. This item will freeze up, leaving them damaged and eventually will need replacing. So don’t forget to dry up the hoses before storing them and to close all the water supply that runs through the outdoor spigot. Doing so will help you prevent the freezing of your hoses, spigot, and pipes that leads to permanent damages caused by the freezing temperature of the winter.

Prepare the Rental Property and Your Tenants for Winter

Other than checking the roof, gutter, and pipes – as well as the overall condition of the property, it is also necessary to inspect the inside of the apartments and check in with your tenants before winter comes. Set a date and time for apartment inspection and confirm it with your tenants so you can check if their apartment is winter ready as they are. Check the electrical wirings, Air Conditioner Units, heaters, boilers, furnaces, fireplaces, ventilation, and fuel tanks. Make sure to check in with your tenants if they have more concerns or desire to have an additional heating appliance for their home.

Carefully Check any Cracks and Gaps.

Proper insulation in your home greatly helps your HVAC to keep on running smoothly for the duration of the winter season. So, check around your house. It could be your attic, windows, or anything indoors for cracks and gaps. The cracks and gaps in your house can cause warm air to escape which can also be a way to damage your pipes. So, find the cracks and gaps and immediately seal them with proper insulating material. Completing this will substantially help your house or your manufactured home for rent to be insulated. This will help you and anyone living in the house as warm and cozy during the winter season.