It truly is the most wonderful time of the year (cue pre-Christmas snow!), but with chilly temperatures and unpredictable weather, we’ve certainly experienced an increase in issues with boilers, radiators, plumbing, heating, hot water systems, roof leaks and water damage, to name a few. For landlords who self-manage, dealing with such issues can prove especially problematic during the weeks leading up to and following Christmas when finding a contractor can prove to be troublesome – the last thing any landlord needs when enjoying the holidays with family!
Engaging a dedicated Property Manager means you can keep a professional distance from your tenants, which will make your life easier and also remove the stress should something go wrong during the winter months. Undeniably, the best tenants are accustomed to receiving great service and having problems solved quickly, so a professional property management service is something they expect. It’s also proven that tenants in well-managed properties are more likely to renew their leases, meaning less void periods in between tenancies and a consistent income. For these reasons, investing in a professional property management service is a sound investment and will ensure a stress-free Christmas.
What can landlords do to prepare their property for the winter months?
Whether you are considering instructing a Property Manager or not, there are several things that you can do to help ensure stress-free maintenance of your property this Christmas.
1. Service your boiler
Ensure that your boiler has been serviced and is in good working order, to minimise the chances of a fault. A broken boiler doesn’t just make a cold property, but can also lead to frozen/burst pipes which can result in water damage.
2. Carry out an interim inspection
Arrange an interim inspection to assess the condition of the property before Christmas. If you are instructing a Property Manager, they can arrange for a company to do this for you. This inspection should check for any leaks in the bathroom, that the windows all shut and lock properly, the bathroom extractor fans are clean and working, and that doors aren’t sticking.
3. Ask your tenants to put the heating on a timer
If your tenant is going away over the festive period, ask them to put the heating on a timer in order to avoid frozen/burst pipes when the temperature drops. An hour a day should suffice – nobody wants to come home from holiday to a frosty reception!
4. Bleed the radiators
If the central heating isn’t warming your home properly, it may be necessary to bleed the radiators to remove trapped air bubbles. This will ensure the radiators are heating to their full capacity and your tenants’ house is warm and toasty.
Attending to these little things can make a big difference to maintenance needs during the winter months, save you a lot of time and money down the road and keep your tenants happy.
How can Marsh & Parsons help?
Marsh & Parsons offers a full property management service, where you and your tenants will have a single, dedicated point of contact and round the clock access to a number of carefully picked contractors. The relevant front office will also hold a set of keys for access, so there’s no need for you or your tenant to be taking the time off to let them in.
With so many legalities and safety requirements in place for landlords, the prospect can be daunting. Your Property Manager will take care of these for you, so you can jet off to the slopes without a thing to worry about! If you’re considering instructing a Property Manager or want to talk about the service in more detail, get in touch here.
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