How to Protect an Empty Rental Property in the Winter

As a landlord, you can ideally maintain steady tenant occupations of each rental home. However, there is always the risk of vacancy for one reason or another. Major renovations or repairs, a lengthy tenant turnover process, and extreme weather can all play a role. The most high-risk time to have a vacant property is in the depth of a harsh winter. Homes rely on the constant heating used by occupants to minimize winter damage.

If it becomes necessary to leave a home vacant through an intense winter region like the Boston area, it’s important to take steps to protect your property -especially older homes that may have more delicate systems and less insulation. The answer lies in proper winterizing.

 

Weather Seal Windows and Doors

Windows and doors in your rental home are the most likely to become a source of cold drafts and lost heat in the winter. In an older home, windows may rattle in their frames, proving that they are not effectively stopping airflow from the outside to the inside. If you can see light around your closed exterior doors, they are also allowing too much winter air through.

To winterize windows and doors, start with the caulk tube around window frame parts that do not slide. Then take a fresh roll of weatherstripping and install it on each exterior door – possibly replacing the previous weatherstripping.

For double-paned windows that rattle, you may need a window replacement to regain the sealed-panes insulation effect.

 

Fill In Cracks Around the House

Examine the interior and exterior of each property and look for cracks. Fill them in with caulk and sealant to keep the cold out in the winter and keep pests out in the summer. This will make the home more secure when vacant and later when you have new tenants.

 

Insulate Your Pipes

Make sure your pipes are safe from freezing and bursting. You can winterize a rental home by insulating pipes or applying a tested heat wire line. Insulation helps pipes avoid freezing while a heat wire actually applies a small amount of heat to the pipes to prevent them from freezing entirely. Just don’t rely 100% on heat wire if you are going to turn off the power during the home’s vacant period.

 

Turn Off & Cover Outdoor Faucets

Switch off all outdoor faucets and watering apparata and place an insulating cover over your outdoor faucets. This will prevent the cold from outside to start the process of internal pipes freezing.

 

Ensure Proper Attic Ventilation and Insulation

Have each attic ventilation inspected. If necessary, improve the ventilation plan and add insulation to the structure for ideal winter care. An attic, when well-insulated and ventilated – can actually help with annual snow maintenance. The rising heat encourages snow to slide off and can even help to prevent damaging ice dams from forming. It will also improve energy efficiency when new tenants move in.

 

Maintain the Fireplace & Close Unused Fireplaces

Most older homes have at least one fireplace or wood-burning stove. For the primary fireplace, make sure the flu is working and the masonry is strong. This will help prepare it for your next tenants. In addition, any fireplaces that won’t be in use for a while should be closed up to prevent heat loss through the chimney and can prevent wildlife from trying to nest in the chimey. Don’t forget to clear out any fireplace debris, including ash traps, to ensure the home is clean and ready to be rented again.

 

Fully Repair Your Roof and Siding

Knowing the weather, it is always best to enter a harsh winter with a fully maintained roof and siding. Winterizing a vacant rental home is the best time to maintain the roof and siding. This will both help prevent unnoticed winter damage and make the home more appealing to the next tenants that you bring in. A home with well-tended roof and siding is more capable of resisting damage during winter storms.

 

Cover the Windows

Minimize cold penetration through window glass not just with new caulk, but also heavy window coverings. Covered windows provide a degree of insulation and make a home look less vacant, which can reduce the risk of mischief.

 

Prepare Your Rental Homes for Winter with Leaf Management

At Leaf Management, we understand the risks of a harsh winter for both occupied and unoccupied rental homes. You can count on our team to take care of winterization, ensure your properties don’t take winter damage, and keep your tenants safe should winter emergencies occur. Contact us today to learn more.