During the winter months your property will be faced with a series of extreme weather challenges, with the threat of rain, snow, wind and ice all lingering in the air. This will place more duress on the structure, which means you will have to keep an even close eye on its condition during these months. We’ve put together an essential winter maintenance checklist for landlords, so you know what to look out for over the coming months.
Boiler
The boiler should also be serviced before the start of winter to ensure it is fit for purpose to deal with the extra work it faces during the winter. If the property is vacant for any period, you should run the heating at a low temperature for a short while to keep it ticking over.
A well serviced boiler should also save you money in the long run. Emergency repair call outs can be very expensive, especially during the winter when engineers are in high demand, so it is more cost effective to invest in servicing the boiler instead of hoping it won’t break down. All boilers break down at some point, but the goal is to minimise how often it happens and the cost associated with it.
Water Pipes
The reason tap water feels so cold during the winter months is due to the lower temperatures affecting the pipes. It also means that when the temperature drops to extremely low levels there is a chance it could freeze over the pipes to block the outlet or even create cracks.
It is good practice to make sure that the water pipes are well insulated and that there are no cracks starting to appear. If you notice one or a tenant reports an issue, get it fixed as soon as possible before the issue spreads to other parts of the network, which will end up costing more money to repair.
And before a tenancy begins, tell the new tenants now where the stopcock is to turn off the water supply and what condition it is currently in.
Insulation
Before you can let your property to any tenants you have a legal responsibility to ensure it has a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’. One of the best ways to achieve this is to ensure you have good insulation in the property, which will also help when it comes to managing energy bills. This is something you should keep an eye on as it will not only affect your tenants but also void periods when you take on the responsibility for paying the bills.
If there is a loft in the property it is a good idea to insulate the space as a lot of heat can be lost through the roof. Adding an insulation jacket to the water tank can also help to save money. Poor insulation can also lead to the formation of mould and damp and when that starts to spread in the property it can prove very difficult to remove.
Repair cracks and crevices
If you notice any cracks and crevices in external parts of your property these should be addressed quickly before they develop into a larger and more costly problem. This is to safeguard against the threat of moisture finding its way into the property which could quickly lead to damp and mould issues.
If you carry out regular inspections and property maintenance, you should be able to spot these types of problems at an early stage. Key areas to keep an eye on include windows and doors (for air leaks), ill-fitted exterior doors and shed and garage doors.
Guttering and the roof
It can be easy to forget about the guttering and roof of your property as it largely stays out of sight and out of mind. However, while blocked guttering may seem harmless, it can become a larger problem if let unattended.
The purpose of the guttering is to filter water away from the structure of your home into the sewers, but if it is overflowing or split, the water could start to discharge directly onto the walls of your home. Brick and stonework can easily be penetrated by water which then leads to damp and during the colder months it could freeze over, causing serious damage to the property structure.
The same also applies to the roofing of your home. Keep an eye out for any cracked, broken, or missing tiles and have these fixed as soon as possible to prevent water and moisture from getting inside the roof space. As with the guttering, if the roof structure is left overexposed it can cause a lot of damage.
Alarms
Landlords are legally required to have a working smoking alarm installed on every habitable floor of their property and a carbon monoxide alarm installed in any room with a solid fuel appliance (working fireplace, for example). Test these during the winter to ensure they are in working order and if you have a burglar alarm installed, run the appropriate checks to make sure it is operating as needed.
External
The garden is a valuable asset for any property and shouldn’t be neglected during the winter. The tenant will usually be responsible for taking care of it, however, during void periods you should still carry out some basic garden maintenance.
Broken fences are always a landlord’s responsibility, so before wind levels start to rise, check for any loose slats, fences or posts that may need strengthening. Trim down any overhanging branches as the wind can break them off and cause damage to the garden or main property structure.
Property Management with Squires Estates
Talking care of your property can prove challenging at any time of the year, especially during the winter when the weather can wreak havoc. Squires Estates work with landlords across North London to manage their properties and ensure they remain in great condition. From collecting rent and handling tenant enquiries to carrying out maintenance and ensuring your property is handed back as you expect, Squires property management team will ensure your prized asset is taken care of in the right way from start to finish.