Is your Southampton property winterproof?

As the icy temperatures of the snowy season approach, it is vital to visit your rental property in order to assess how to protect it from the elements and help freeze potential winter problems in their tracks.

Undiscovered maintenance issues can cause extensive damage and expensive bills during the winter months so here is a simple checklist of potential problem zones, both inside the property and out...

• Firstly visit your property and assess what is needed  
• Brief your tenants on winter warning signs to look out for and ask them to report any maintenance issues they spot immediately
• Ensure the central heating is working correctly and have your boiler serviced - check your gas safety record expiry date.
• Clear out the guttering. Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to cascade down the fabric of the building
• Help limit condensation by resolving ventilation issues
• Act quickly to prevent potential issues becoming bigger problems
• Check fence panels aren't loose and secure if necessary
• Secure loose roof tiles and replace any that are broken
• Unclog storm drains to prevent them from overflowing
• Insulate pipes (including condensate pipes) to prevent them from freezing
• Advise your block management company of any of the above external issues on your apartment as it is their responsibility to fix this.

Acting and reacting quickly to maintenance issues as winter approaches is essential. Even small problems are likely to grow as the temperature falls – and, as a maintenance issue escalates, so does the price to fix it! It will also lead to unhappy tenants, potential loss of rent and voids, So act now and you should get to enjoy your Christmas break.