Being a landlord can often be challenging, but winter brings a whole new set of problems and unless you stay on the ball and take steps to prevent minor problems from snowballing, you could find yourself significantly out of pocket or getting out of bed in the middle of the night to deal with disgruntled tenants.
Empty properties during the winter
Holiday rental properties are more likely to be empty during the winter, but any property is vulnerable to winter related problems if it is empty for more than a day or two during bad weather. Cold snaps are a major cause of burst pipes and water damage, so make sure pipe work is well insulated (and don’t forget pipes and tanks in the loft). Keep a close eye on holiday lets during empty spells and it is also worth reminding tenants to leave the heating on if they intend on going away during cold weather.
Keep central heating boilers in good condition
As a landlord, you have a legal obligation to keep boilers and other appliances regularly serviced and in good working order. However, it is always a good idea to make sure older boilers and central heating appliances are serviced just before winter comes to ensure they don’t break down during a cold spell. But on the off chance that something unexpected happens, keep a supply of portable heaters handy in case your tenants need emergency heating.
Make sure tenants have the right information in case of emergencies
In the case of a burst pipe, turning the water off sooner rather than later is essential, so make sure your tenants know exactly where the stopcock is in their property. You should also check that it operates correctly.
