UK cold weather alerts remain in place across many parts of England and Wales, with snow forecast and temperatures as low as -9 degrees expected in the south of the country.
Such weather conditions can create significant issues for landlords and their properties, so it’s important to be proactive and prepare your real estate for the cold winter months.
We’ll explore some steps that you can take below, while asking how they help to ensure that your property is ready for the winter.
#1. Invest in Exterior Property Maintenance
Make no mistake; it’s the exterior of your homes that will bear the brunt of any extreme winter weather, so this should be treated and invested in as a matter of urgency.
The most important consideration is your roof, and we’d recommend checking this for any loose or damaged tiles. These will need to be repaired, to ensure that you don’t experience flooding during heavy rain or precipitation.
Next up, you’ll need to ensure that you check your guttering system, so that any rainfall is funnelled away from your roof and down towards the drain. A wider inspection of the guttering and property interior should also reveal any potentially damaging cracks or crevices, which can often be the source of small leaks that are hard to spot if you don’t live in the home.
Given that even the most comprehensive of exterior checks can miss things, you should also invest in landlord insurance to protect the homes that you own. This provides financial coverage should the structure be damaged by adverse weather conditions.
#2. Consider Interior Winter Maintenance
Next up, you can move into the interior of your properties, paying particular attention to the boiler.
As a landlord, you’re responsible for the performance and safety of any boilers installed in your homes, and you’ll need to carry out regular and scheduled checks to certify that installations remain functional at all times.
Of course, having a functional boiler is more important during the winter, and any emergency repairs required during the winter will have to be carried out urgently and a significant cost.
So, trying to negate emergencies through scheduled maintenance is best, while you should continue to check each property’s gas, electrics and smoke alarms during the winter.
#3. Don’t Overlook Security
Apparently, your home is 50% more likely to be burgled during the winter, with November and December considered to be the worst months and likely to see 21% of all UK insurance claims received each year.
This means that security should also be a key concern this winter, as you look to secure your homes and fit them with robust locks.
Installing safety and security lighting is also recommended, as this plays a key role in deterring potential thieves and preventing crimes in the first place.
The same can be said for security cameras and installing these throughout your home may provide additional security and peace of mind to your future tenants.