Landlord Winter Tips

Winter is upon us, and the coming months can be challenging for landlords. Therefore it is essential to be prepared for potential issues and to guide tenants on effective property management. In support of this, we’ve compiled our key tips for maintaining your property this winter.

Check in with tenants
As simple as it sounds, keeping regular contact with your tenants is vital to ensure that the property is in good order and that they have reported any maintenance issues early.  Understanding the way your tenants live in the property enhances the value of management, for smarter problem resolution and stronger landlord/tenant relationships.  Considering this, tenants do however have a right to ‘quiet enjoyment’, meaning they should live in their home without unreasonable disturbance or harassment.  Nonetheless, an email periodically checking the tenants do not have any issues is a beneficial reasonable contact.

Property inspections
It is fundamental that property inspections are undertaken throughout the tenancy, whatever the season.  This is opportunity for both parties to report on issues and ensures the landlord is aware of tenant living conditions.  As a rule of thumb, inspections every 6 months keep track of the condition over time. Where there are particular concerns, every 3 months is acceptable.  Specifically in winter, landlords should make note of the external condition of the property; including gutters, drainpipes, roofs, gardens and outbuildings.  Monitoring this early prevents common issues such as damp and leaks from water ingress.

Repair reported issues
Whilst you may dread the call of a leaking pipe or faulty heating system, now is the time to resolve this before winter contractor lead times.  Plumbers particularly will be at their busiest time of the year thus, resolving issues before they can progress is crucial.  If an issue cannot be repaired immediately, be sure to effectively communicate this to tenants to manage expectations.  In anticipation, increased retention of rental income for maintenance and repairs is advised. 

Educate your tenant
It is easy to assume that tenants have the same pre-existing knowledge as competent landlords, especially with the confusing messages online media can deliver.  To strategically manage property long term, it is pertinent to educate your tenants where reasonable.  We implement this through ‘Winter Letters’ and encourage an open approach to maintenance issues where tenants feel trusting enough to take our advice.  Taking the time to support tenants on common issues, such as damp, sustains strengthened relationships toward a common goal.  This may be, e.g. providing advice on how to manage moisture in the home or providing a de-humidifier.  Essentially, communication is the key to maximising longevity of a tenancy.

Improve your heating systems
Is it time to upgrade your heating systems?  When an older boiler starts to reap frequent faults, it questions whether a new boiler would lessen the maintenance and costs long term.  Occurrences such as this should be accounted for in monthly contingency, and now is the time to start planning if this is likely in the near future.  As an incentive, landlords are able to apply for a grant as part of the ‘Boiler Upgrade Scheme’ which offers up to £7,500 towards an air source heat pump. Something to consider with the increasing pressure for more energy efficient homes.

Prepare for emergencies!
We never want to think about it (or even plan for it), but a framework on how to deal with emergencies is imperative for the safety of your tenants and property.  By identifying potential hazards, communication procedures can be planned enhancing response times and limiting damage.

• Ensure your insurance adequately covers potential emergencies, considering the external environment (are you in a higher risk flood zone?) and limit risk where possible and reasonable.
• Establish a reliable base of contractors who can quickly attend the property in an emergency.
• Check you are compliant with relevant legislation.
• Confirm both parties hold up to date contact details.

 
Struggling for time?  Let us do it for you…
Reading through and just thinking you simply don’t have the time?  Let us help…
As part of our managed service, we handle the work on your behalf!  Serving as the primary point of contact and education for tenants; we help maintain a degree of separation, minimising potential stress.  Where maintenance and compliance issues may arise in winter more frequently, our existing procedures and trusted contractor relationships offer greater reliability and emergency provisions.   
 
Contact us today on how we may be able to help you!

Jenny Rheade 
Lettings Coordinator 
01995 603180
lettings@abarnett.co.uk