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As a new landlord, you quickly learn that property management is an intense year-round job. While summer is all about light maintenance, the colder months bring a unique set of challenges that can quickly lead to costly emergency repairs. Winter related issues can include things like boiler breakdowns, frozen pipes, and mould. This means a big jump in maintenance requests as soon as the temperature drops.
Preparing your properties before winter hits is the key to keeping tenants safe and comfortable and avoiding those frantic emergency call-outs.
Here is your essential winter preparation checklist:
Exterior and structural checks
Cold and wet weather will quickly exploit any existing vulnerabilities in your property’s exterior. For block managers, this is especially important to communal areas.
Make sure to:
- Ensure all gutters, downpipes, and drains are completely clear of debris. They will typically become clogged during the autumn as the leaves fall off the trees. Blocked gutters can overflow, causing damp on the walls and damage to the roof and foundations of a building.
- Arrange for a visual inspection of the roof to check for any loose, cracked, or missing tiles.
Heavy rain and snow can easily seep into these areas, resulting in interior leaks or structural damage. - Check for any cracks in brickwork or around window and door frames. Sealing these gaps will help prevent moisture ingress, stop cold draughts, and deter pests.
Pipe maintenance
Frozen pipes are perhaps the most common and expensive winter repair. When water freezes in very cold weather, it expands, putting immense pressure on the pipes and resulting in a burst when they thaw.
To prevent this:
- Ensure pipes are well-insulated. Focus on exposed pipes, particularly in unheated areas such as lofts, basements, and outside walls. Pipe lagging is a small investment that can go a long way to offering protection.
- Inspect all pipework for any visible damage.
- Fix dripping taps because even a small drip can quickly freeze and create a blockage.
Run the heating at a low temperature during void periods to keep the pipes warm and prevent freezing.
Heating and boiler checks
A working heating system is a legal necessity, not just for comfort.
Ensure you:
- Test the heating to ensure it’s working before the cold snap. It’s worth encouraging tenants to turn the heating on for a brief period to check the radiators actually heat up.
- Arrange a boiler service. We harp on about it, but an annual service helps prevent breakdowns that could leave the property unheated. Arthur allows you to set up automatic reminders for all these important checks, such as boiler servicing and gutter cleaning, ensuring nothing is missed.
- Bleed the radiators. Air pockets can stop radiators from heating the property.
Condensation, damp and mould prevention
Cold properties are the perfect battleground for condensation, damp and mould.
Remember to:
- Check ventilation systems. This means inspecting all extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to ensure they are not blocked.
- Top up loft insulation if necessary. Seal any noticeable draughts around windows and doors with draught excluders or weather stripping. This will prevent heat loss.
- Educate your tenants. This isn’t all your responsibility; it's up to them to wipe down condensation and keep the property heated. You can send tenants helpful links through Arthur to help them identify and resolve common issues.
Final thoughts
As a new landlord, using the right technology can transform a stressful winter into a smooth one. Don’t wait for the first frost to find out if your properties are ready. Proactive maintenance is your best insurance.
