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10 Essential Tasks to Get Your Rental Property Ready for Winter

A Miami Lakes Property Manager Reversing the Direction of a Ceiling Fan As a Miami Lakes property manager, it is imperative to see to it your properties are adequate for winter. The cold weather can be difficult on homes and buildings, and if your rentals are not decently prepared, you could wind up with financially excessive repair bills and anxious renters. Not only do you have to be equipped to attend to freezing temperatures and inclement weather, but certainly, it’s indeed imperative to bring about critical maintenance on your property’s major systems. This can help prevent emergencies and assist you to protect the value of your investment property.

Here are 10 essential outdoor and indoor tasks to get your rental property prepared for winter!

Outdoor

  1. Watchfully check your rental property’s exterior walls, roof, and windows for any signs of damage or leaks that could make moisture or cold air seep in. Sealing any cracks and reconditioning disjointed areas can help restrain water from getting inside your rental homes, which can sadly lead to financially excessive repairs and mold growth.
  2. Completely ensure all outdoor pipes and fixtures are wrapped with insulation or heat tape to keep them from freezing during winter. Meticulously checking for frozen pipes and thawing them as needed will help prevent burst pipes and flooding in your rental properties.
  3. Look over your rental property’s gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems to see to it they are clear of whatever debris and functioning perfectly. Clogged gutters can induce flooding during heavy rain and snow, at the same time, defective drainage systems can trigger water to accumulate in the foundation of your rental homes and lead to financially wasteful repairs.
  4. Assess 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 make certain that these places are safe and easy to navigate during the winter while protecting your rental property’s curb appeal.
  5. Cut back trees and properly plan your landscaping for winter. If your property has trees, bushes, and shrubs, get them ready for winter months by cutting and trimming them back. Also, don’t forget 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 spick and span.

Indoor

  1. Reverse the direction of all ceiling fans. Ceiling fans should spin clockwise in warm temperatures and counterclockwise in cold temps. That 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.
  2. Book and schedule annual furnace maintenance by a qualified professional to ensure that your rental property’s heating system works appropriately. Regularly servicing your Miami Lakes rental home’s heating system will help taper down the risk of emergency repair needs and extend the life of your investment property’s major systems.
  3. Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your rental properties to be certain they are in excellent working order, as these devices could save lives during emergencies close to fires or gas leaks. Replacing or upgrading outdated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can help always keep your rental properties safe and secure.
  4. Attentively check out all faucets, drains, and appliances in your rental properties to see that they are functioning correctly and that there are no leaks or clogs that could create major burdens during the winter months. Frequently looking through these parts will not only save you money on expensive repairs, but besides that, it can furthermore help prevent water damage in your rental homes.
  5. Inspect and thoroughly clean each fireplace and chimney. Dirty fireplaces and soot build-up inside chimneys are typical causes of house fires during the winter. To protect your rental property and renters, assuring that all flues and chimneys are clear of buildup and in perfect working order is vital.

As a rental property owner, it’s relevant to take the necessary means to prepare your investment properties for winter. Implementing these tasks can help keep your renters warm and safe during the cold season while preventing financially wasteful repairs and damage.

 

But on the other hand, complying with preventative maintenance on a schedule can be a tough challenge. This applies particularly during the busy holiday season. Though, always remember, the pros at Real Property Management Allegiance can help! Contact us online today to learn more about our first-class services.

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