As an Oregon City property manager, it is important to ensure your properties are ready for winter. The cold weather can be harsh on homes and buildings, and if your rentals are not properly prepared, you could end up with costly repair bills and unhappy renters. You must also be capable of dealing with freezing temperatures and inclement weather, however, it’s also crucial to carry out key maintenance on your property’s major systems. This can help prevent emergencies and help you 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
- The key is to double-check the rental property’s exterior walls, roof, and windows for any damage or leaks that could allow moisture or cold air to permeate. 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.
- Ensure all outdoor pipes and fixtures are wrapped with insulation or heat tape to keep them from freezing during winter. Consistently checking for frozen pipes and thawing them as needed will help prevent burst pipes and flooding in your rental properties.
- Inspect your rental property’s gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems to make sure they are clear of debris and functioning properly. Clogged gutters can lead to flooding during heavy rain and snow, while damaged drainage systems can cause water to accumulate in the foundation of your rental homes and lead to costly repairs.
- Consider installing a protective coating or sealant on your rental property’s driveway, sidewalk, and steps to help prevent cracking and damage from the cold weather. This will help ensure 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, which can help keep your renters nice and toasty during the cold winter months.
- Schedule annual furnace maintenance by a qualified professional to ensure that your rental property’s heating system works properly. Regularly servicing your Oregon City rental home’s heating system will help reduce the risk of emergency repair needs and prolong 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 good working order, as these devices could save lives during emergencies like fires or gas leaks. Replacing or upgrading outdated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can help keep your rental properties safe and secure.
- Check all faucets, drains, and appliances in your rental properties to make sure they are functioning properly and that there are no leaks or clogs that could cause major problems during the winter months. Regularly inspecting these areas will not only save you money on costly repairs, but it can also help prevent water damage in your rental homes.
- Inspect and clean each fireplace and chimney. Dirty fireplaces and soot build-up inside chimneys are common causes of house fires during the winter. To protect your rental property and renters, ensuring that all flues and chimneys are clear of buildup and in good working order is important.
As a rental property owner, it’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare your investment properties for winter. Completing these tasks can help keep your renters warm and safe during the cold season while preventing costly repairs and damage.
Still, completing preventative maintenance on a schedule can be a challenge. This is especially true during the busy holiday season. But the pros at Real Property Management Solutions can help! Contact us online today to learn more about our quality services.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
