Are you aware that Christmas is less than six weeks away? But apart from the woes of Christmas shopping to look forward to, the other main consideration for this time of year is the winter weather, and if last year is anything to go by, we could soon be plunged into a winter wonderland of sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall.
How can you help your tenants this winter?
Well aside from inviting them around for a slap up Christmas Dinner a la Scrooge, it is a good idea to make sure your tenants are aware of certain key bits of information relating to central heating systems and water pipes. When faced with arctic conditions, burst pipes often occur with monotonous regularity. In many cases, such issues can be avoided by turning off a water supply if a property is going to be empty for a few days over the Christmas holiday period, or alternatively, turning the thermostat up to ensure the heating keeps the pipes warm.
If the worst does happen and a pipe bursts, tenants should be aware of where the water stop tap is located to prevent further water damage. They should also be made aware of how to switch a central heating boiler off, and if a property has a gas boiler, it is also a good idea to make sure your tenants know where the gas cut-off switch is in the event of an emergency. And lastly, if you have elderly tenants, be a responsible landlord and check up on them at regular intervals if the weather turns nasty
