Winter is a challenging time for landlords. It is likely
that your tenants will have more requests or complaints than they do in other
seasons, and your rental property is at greater risk in winter than at other
times of the year. Therefore, it is likely that Ashford landlords feel slightly
stressed and under pressure right now, but we are here to help.
At Stevens Property Sales and Lettings, we are pleased to say we have worked closely with many landlords in Ashford. We know the common problems at this time of year and we are happy to present our top five winter care tips for Ashford landlords.
Bleed radiators
This is a simple tip and it is one that some people believe
is the responsibility of the tenant. However, a landlord that bleeds radiators
in their rental property will provide a fantastic service for their tenant and
they will also be confident that the work has been carried out in an effective
manner.
Bleeding a radiator is a simple process and there are many
guides on YouTube to follow if you aren’t confident about the process. If your
radiators are warm at the bottom but cold at the top, there is trapped air and
you need to bleed them. Bleeding your radiators will ensure your rooms are
heated properly.
Landlords and tenants should try to avoid frozen or burst
pipes if possible because the consequences can be dire. A burst, broken or
frozen pipe can ruin homes, they can be costly to repair and there is often a
great deal of inconvenience in dealing with the aftermath of burst pipes.
Lagging your pipes creates a level of insulation that
ensures the temperature around pipes is maintained, minimising the likelihood
of anything untoward happening.
Messy gutters are unsightly but the real issue with blocked
gutters comes with the fact that this increases the likelihood of water damage
at your home. Blocked gutters lead to flooding and water damage, and again,
this can be very problematic, time-consuming and expensive to fix.
Condensation is an issue that landlords must consider
because over time, this causes mould and it can significantly impact on the
value of a property. In the shorter term, condensation can make homes
uncomfortable, so tenants will not enjoy living in the property.
To prevent condensation occurring, it is recommended that a
constant level of heat is maintained in a room. Therefore, landlords should
speak with tenants and impose the importance of maintaining heat in their home.
A prepared tenant and landlord are more likely to deal with
issues if they arise. Therefore, a savvy landlord will invest in shovels, grit,
torches and other equipment which can be used if the weather takes a turn for
the worse in winter.
Hopefully, you or the tenant won’t need to use the items but
if you do, you will be very glad that you have access to them.
If you are a landlord looking to care for your tenants and
rental property, contact Stevens Property Sales and Lettings and we will do what we can to assist you.