As the nights draw in and the mornings get cold and crisp, your thoughts as a landlord should turn to your winter checklist to make sure all your properties are ready for winter. You make sure your own home is warm and ready, so the same should be done for your tenants. Here are three simple things that you can do today to ensure your properties are ready for winter.
Check the boiler and central heating
It’s a nightmare when the boiler goes in winter. Days can pass with no heat and no hot water, and this means a huge cost for you as the landlord. As the weather gets colder, it is a great time to visit your properties and ask your tenants to check that their heating and hot water are working properly. Ask them to fire up the boilers to check they are working well, and have an engineer visit each one and give the boilers a professional service.
Insulation and windows
Good-quality and efficient home insulation makes all the difference to the temperature inside the property and to the bills that your tenants have to pay. Before the weather gets too cold, check your properties and invest in new and proper insulation. In addition, check the windows. Are the seals all intact? Are any of them letting in a draft or moisture? Get them fixed before the winter storms take hold, preventing any damage in the future.
Condensation
Condensation always increases in winter. With the difference in temperature inside and outside the property being so large, condensation can form, and so can damp and mould. No one should live in a damp home. Provide proper ventilation in your properties, and make sure that tenants air the house by regularly opening windows and using extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens. Keep furniture away from the wall so air can circulate. Make sure air vents are not blocked. If you need help managing your properties, search for property management Cheltenham or visit sites like https://www.completepropertygroup.co.uk for more information.
None of these winter maintenance tips will take you or your tenants much time, but in the long run, they can save time, money and stress. Get your properties ready for winter, and keep your tenants warm and comfortable throughout the colder months.
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