As well as the excitement the festive period brings, the season can also bring with it a host of challenges for landlords looking to maintain the safety and comfort of their properties.
Poor conditions, faulty or unsafe Christmas décor, and increased festive bustle among tenants can all contribute to maintenance issues ranging from damp to fire. Here, we’re rounded up the biggest winter home maintenance issues landlords might need to look out for during the holidays.
Taking a proactive approach can save you money on a whole host of expensive repairs during the winter months.
Ahead of the festive season, reach out to your tenants, opening up a line of communication so they know you’re on hand should they need to report any issues. Make sure you emphasise fixing problems quickly is especially important around Christmas, when closures might affect tradespeople availability.
Adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, ice and snow can really wreak havoc on a faulty roof (and the entire property). If damages go undetected, water can damage the building’s structural beams and insulation, as well as cause mould growth – all of which can go as far as making the house uninhabitable.
Even small leaks in the structure can cause issues; not to mention they tend to escalate over time until they suddenly spring up on you as a major headache. Make sure the roofing on your properties is in good condition by scheduling regular inspections by a professional who can detect anything from minor cracks to damaged tiles and chimney flashing issues.
Twinkly lights, gingerbread scented candles, and Christmas trees all help bring the festive spirit, but can also double as fire hazards if handled incorrectly. Fire safety mistakes among tenants can range from the more obvious – like crowding flammable decorations too close to candles, heaters, or the fireplace – to bigger-picture issues such as overloading the power outlets.
Landlords can help manage these risks by ensuring that their properties have working smoke alarms in all the key areas (living rooms especially) and contacting tenants with a list of winter tips for home safety, reminding them not to leave Christmas lights on or candle flames unattended. You can even throw in some recommendations for the best fire-resistant ornaments!
Another common home winter maintenance woe is the spike in condensation and damp which comes hand-in-hand with cold weather. These issues can be particularly prominent in buildings which aren’t well insulated or lack proper ventilation. If left untreated, such seemingly minor problems can lead to mould, wall and ceiling damage, structural issues, and even health concerns for your tenants.
Nip damp troubles in the bud by having a detailed property inspection before winter arrives, checking for any gaps or cracks near doors and windows which might let moisture in. Having clean gutters will also go a long way to draining water effectively away from the building.
There are some winter tips for home maintenance you can share with tenants here as well. Encourage them to ventilate the property well, even if it’s cold outside, by cracking a window open or turning on the extractor fan. You could even invest in a few dehumidifiers to help with combating condensation.
Perhaps the most common – and unfortunately the costliest – of winter home maintenance problems is dealing with burst pipes. When the temperatures outside are freezing, it can cause the water inside pipes to solidify, which in turn leads to cracks and breaks.
You can avoid dealing with flooding and expensive repairs by making sure all your pipes are leak-insulated, focusing on external walls and attics in particular. You can also arm your tenants with heating winter tips for the home, such as keeping radiators on consistently at a lower setting to prevent frozen pipes. Show them the stop valve too, so they can prevent excessive damage in case of emergency.
It’s also worth booking in boiler servicing, so any issues can be addressed before the temperatures plummet and your tenants are left in unlivable conditions without heating. Malfunctions with your boiler can also exacerbate some of the issues we touched upon above, such as an increase in damp, or the pipes freezing over.
Qualified boiler engineers will be able to determine whether the heating system in your property is functioning as it should. They would also help you tackle any wear and tear snags which might lead to bigger problems if left untreated. If your boiler is past its prime, it might even be worth investing in a more energy-efficient solution.
Tenants can also help look after the boiler system by making use of thermostats, or even bleeding the radiators if needed. Make sure as well as your contact details they know how to contact an emergency boiler service should more serious issues crop up.
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