Our part of the country has fairly mild winters. No hibernation will be necessary when the summer gives in to fall and then winter. We do have to prepare for a bit of snow and the temperatures will drop, but typically they’ll be hovering in the 40s and the 50s for most of the winter months.
Not too dramatic; the northwest climate is moderate and pleasant. But it’s still important to take some precautions with your rental properties so they remain well-maintained throughout the cooler season.
Here’s a brief winter property maintenance checklist that may help you ensure your rental properties and your tenants are prepared.
Inspect and Service the Heating Unit
Your tenants will use their heat throughout the winter, so make sure your furnace and heating units are working the way they should. It’s a good idea to have a professional HVAC technician come out to your property to inspect, clean, and service the unit. This will prevent a problem during the winter.
Schedule a technician in September or October so you can be sure your system will be all set for the winter. You don’t want to get a phone call from your tenants on the coldest night of the year that the heat won’t turn on.
Check for Water and Insulation
Water will damage a property quickly, and the repairs will be expensive. So pay attention to potential leaks and problems before winter sets in. Spend some time and resources checking the gutters and the roof. You don’t want a lot of debris building up there because it will force water into the house. Make sure there aren’t any holes or missing shingles. Look under sinks and appliances to be certain there are no leaks or wet spots.
You need a well-insulated rental property for the winter. Inspect the windows and doors. Trim back any tree branches or bushes that might break windows during episodes of rain and wind.
Safety Systems and Batteries
Checking your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be a checklist item at least once or even twice a year, and winter is a good time to do it. Test them to be sure they’re functional to ensure your tenants are safe in the home.
Check your fire extinguishers as well and make sure your tenants are aware of safety procedures and evacuation routes in the event of a catastrophe. If power is lost, make sure there’s a plan in place for keeping your tenants safe and your property habitable. Train your tenants on what to do if the pipes freeze.
Landscaping and Lawn Care
Prepare your landscaping for colder weather.
You probably won’t need to water the lawn as much during the winter months, so turn off any sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems. This is a good time to add fertilizer to your grass to prepare it for growth in the spring. Trim back any dead leaves or branches and bring in any flowers or plants that cannot survive colder temperatures.
Seasonal maintenance needs to be a part of your overall rental property maintenance plan. If you’d like some help putting together a plan that fits the needs of your property, contact us at Real Estate Gladiators. We serve Monroe, Issaquah, Bellevue, Everett, Lake Stevens, Kirkland, and other cities in and around King and Snohomish counties in Washington State.
