The weather has turned, and winter is on the way, bringing with it a chilling collection of potential problems at your rental property.
In many ways, rental homes are more at risk when they’re occupied in winter because the daily lives and concerns of tenants can sometimes be at odds with the interests of landlords.
So this week’s blog is all about getting that balance right, with measures like:
To ensure our landlords don’t get caught out by the cold, we check these things at all the homes we manage as part of our scheduled mid-tenancy inspections.
However, if you’re looking after things yourself, share this blog with your tenants so you can work together for a warm and safe winter all round.
With the heating cranked up and cold weather outside, conditions are perfect for condensation to form, so it’s a wise precaution to drop your tenants some tips to help them avoid damp and mildew.
If any of these are impractical in your property, investing in a dehumidifier could prove more than worth the cost by avoiding far more expensive jobs from a build-up of mould and damp.
As the cold weather bites and people stay in, cook, and turn up the heat, the potential for smoke and fumes increases, so follow these simple steps to put safety first.
As a reminder, every rental home must have smoke alarms fitted on every floor of accommodation, and carbon monoxide detectors in rooms with combusting appliances like gas boilers or log-burning stoves.
While gas and electricity bills are less than last year’s peak, the cost is still a big concern for many tenants, so here are some ways they can use less energy without causing property problems.
Tenants may not realise that keeping rooms unheated in winter could cause damage to your property and cost them cash, so help them to make choices that work for everyone.
Winter brings harsher conditions for the outside of your property, but your tenant’s attention will understandably go to keeping warm indoors, so it’s worth checking the following:
You could make these checks yourself, or you could ask us to take care of it all. Call us on 01722 580059 to find out how we help our landlords stay ahead of potential problems, and how we can do the same for you.
More burglaries happen in the darker months, and tenants often head off during the Christmas holidays. This makes homes more vulnerable, so here are some precautions to take.
While most homes get through the winter without burglaries or frozen pipes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. At the very least, there’s no point tempting fate.
We’d love to help you keep your property and tenants warm and safe during the cold season, and save you from unwelcome surprises and expense.
Speak with our friendly and expert team on 01722 580059 or info@piccoloproperty.co.uk to see why so many landlords in the Wilton & Salisbury area get a good night’s sleep with their investment in our capable hands.
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