Summer is well and truly over – if it was ever even here to
start with! And with another record-breakingly cold winter
predicted for this year¹, now is a good time for all landlords to
ensure their property or properties are prepared for the months
ahead.
Winter is always the riskiest time for landlords: burst water
pipes, faulty heating, damage from storms and snow, etc. The
responsibility for looking after your property all year round, but
especially during winter, is shared between you and your tenants.
But often, small things get overlooked, resulting in big
problems.
By following this simple checklist you can keep both your
property and your tenants safe – saving yourself thousands of
pounds and saving your tenants from any discomfort.
Frozen pipes
Frozen pipes are probably the most common problem landlords face
in winter. A simple thing that can have huge consequences. The
responsibility for ensuring that the internal and external pipes
don’t freeze is shared by both the tenant and you, the landlord.
You must provide sufficient lagging while the tenants are obliged
to report any leaks or problems. But often tenants don’t know what
to look out for, or how to turn off the water supply if they think
it might be necessary. When you next visit your property, check on
the pipes and talk your tenants through what they can do to avoid
any problems. It might be that they have plans to go away during
winter, in which case you should instruct them on how to make sure
the heating goes on for a short period each day, to keep the place
warm and stop those pipes from freezing.
Insurance
No matter how vigilant you are or how well you prepare your
tenants, problems can, and do, arise. Which is why it’s essential
that you have the correct Landlords
Insurance. Regular property insurance simply won’t cover you
for the day-to-day issues that arise as a landlord, for example,
cover for vacant periods, which is when your property could be at
most risk. By using a specialist buy-to-let insurer, you can
make sure that you have everything covered.
Getting through the winter months is a case of teamwork between
you and your tenants. Which is why having a good relationship with
them is so important. With a mix of common sense with vigilance on
the sides of both parties, you can have a safe and worry-free
winter.
Heating
With the heating going back on after the summer, now’s a good
time to double check you’re up to date with all your safety
regulations. If your property is heated by gas, all appliances and
flues must be safety checked within twelve months of installation
and checked again every twelve months. And all works and repairs
must be carried out by a qualified CORGI registered engineer. Make
sure you keep all your records and give your tenants a copy of the
current safety check record. In addition, make sure the gas flue is
clear, as if not it could lead to a back up in Carbon Monoxide.
While you’re at it, check the Carbon Monoxide detector is fitted
and operational. You might also want to show your tenants how to
bleed a radiator and leave them with a radiator key – one less
reason to have to call in an expensive plumber.
If your property is heated by electricity you must check that
all appliances meet safety regulations. You’re legally obliged to
ensure your tenants have the booklets/manuals for all appliances in
the property. But taking the time to go through the instructions
with them could save you headaches in the future.
You might even want to consider insulating your property. Some
councils have schemes where you can get a subsidised price on
fitting loft insulation. This will not only mean lower fuel bills
for your tenants, it will let you revise your Energy Performance
Certificate (EPC), which could make your property more attractive
when it comes to re-letting.
Gutters
Blocked gutters often cause damp problems, which can be costly
to repair but so easy to avoid. Many tenancy agreements will state
that the responsibility for clearing the gutters lies with the
tenant – but if the blockage is natural, such as leaves or moss
then it’s the landlord’s responsibility. This grey area can lead to
confusion for both parties. So the best thing is for you to stay on
top of the situation, either by checking yourself, or prompting
them to. After all, if the gutters are blocked and it leads to a
leak or lasting damp, you’re the one who will be footing the
bill.
Gardens
If you let your property with a garden, then this is another
area that could cause problems during inclement weather. While it’s
normally the tenant’s responsibility to keep the garden in good
order, it’s not a bad idea for you to check large trees and any
overhanging branches that could cause damage if they were to break
under the weight of snow or in a winter gale.
General safety
You have a responsibility to keep your tenants safe while living
in your property. But what about when it comes to them stepping out
of the house? It might not be required by law, but by taking a few
simple precautions you can prevent any unnecessary accidents.
Supply your tenants with road salt, so that they can keep the
pathways from the house free from ice. You might also want to think
about fitting handrails in areas that could become especially
hazardous. Supply them with enough light bulbs to light the outside
areas to make it safer for them when leaving and returning home in
the dark. Simple steps that could avoid any unfortunate claims on
your let property insurance.
¹ Exacta
Weather.