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. This can entail mending damaged siding, replacing roof shingles, or repairing cracks in windows or doors.
Some noteworthy tasks for maintaining the exterior of your home include:
- Clearing any debris from the gutters and downspouts.
- Checking and repairing outdoor lighting.
- Covering intake vents with screens to keep rodents out.
- Cleaning and storing outdoor furniture and grills.
- Draining hoses and sprinkler systems and storing hoses neatly in a shed or garage.
- Cleaning and inspecting all fireplaces and chimneys.
Indoor Maintenance Tasks
A rental property owner is required to do indoor maintenance tasks. Having the right insulation is also crucial for keeping your house warm throughout the winter months. Checking and installing weatherstripping around windows and doors, insulating basements and attics, and insulating pipes to prevent them from freezing in freezing weather are some of the steps that may be taken to prevent drafts.
Some necessary tasks for maintaining the interior of your home include:
- Removing and storing any window-mounted air conditioning units.
- Servicing your HVAC system to ensure it is in good working order.
- Reversing the direction of your ceiling fans (counterclockwise is best for cooler weather).
- Checking the batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Prevent Injuries and Property Damage
Clearing snow from walkways, driveways, and steps on a daily basis is essential if your rental property is located in a snow-covered region. This will help prevent slips and falls, which can result in accidents and potential lawsuits. To prevent ice buildup, be sure to have the right shovels, a plowing service, and bags of sand, salt, or snow melt on standby.
In regions with heavy snow or freezing temperatures, it is especially crucial to keep an eye on the roof and gutters of your rental property during the winter. Repeated thawing and freezing cycles can cause significant damage to a roofand lead to flooding or other water damage. Ice dams, which form when snow melts and refreezes on the roof, can cause significant damage if not addressed promptly. Hiring a professional to inspect and repair your roof immediately is recommended to avoid costly emergency repairs.
By staying on top of these winter maintenance tasks, you can help ensure your tenants’ safety and comfort while protecting your rental property from potential damage and costly repairs.
Additional Winter Maintenance
Regular maintenance tasks are essential to keeping your rental property’s HVAC system in top operating condition. Changing the air filter in your rental property at least once every three months, or more often if needed, is one such chore. The system will have to work harder and use more energy if the filter is dirty since it can limit airflow. You may increase system efficiency and reduce energy costs by changing the filter on a regular basis.
This winter, feel at ease! If you want your rental property to be safe in any storm, you need to work with a skilled property management company. For a worry-free season ahead, contact Real Property Management Solutions today to learn more about how we can assist you in protecting and maintaining your investments in Gresham and the surrounding areas. Contact us via email or give us a call at 503-224-3002.
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