03 Feb Landlord winter checklist
Here in the UK, winter can be tough on our homes. The variety in age, type and style of property in this country is vast and is what makes it such a wonderfully diverse place in which to live.
As the leading letting agent in Colnbrook and the surrounding area, our portfolio of rental properties ranges from studio apartments to large detached family homes and all of them need to be maintained.
So, for our landlords, we have put together a list of things that you should keep on top of as the temperatures start to drop.
If you are looking at becoming a landlord or indeed if you are looking to buy, sell or rent a home in the Colnbrook area, give us a call on 01753 683000 or email us.
The Market
The rental market is fiercely competitive at the moment, especially when it comes to renting a property in Slough and the surrounding areas. As a landlord, your property needs to be in tip-top condition to get the best tenants in for the best price.
A draughty, cold home with a dank exterior is a tough sell at any time, but during this current period you could be left with an empty property and that is not an enviable situation in which to be during this time of economic uncertainty.
According to research conducted by our colleagues at Propertymark, the average void tenancy time continues to decrease, while the average tenancy time continues to increase, so with more tenants staying in their properties for longer, creating an attractive prospect has never been more important.
So, what can you do, as a landlord?
Keeping Cosy
As the temperature plummets, it’s important for homes to be able to produce and retain heat. No one likes huge utility bills and a warm home tends to be a happy one. As a landlord, you obviously want to keep your costs down, but sometimes the smallest things can make a difference.
Bleeding the radiators can make them perform more efficiently, bleeding them is a simple and effective way that is often forgotten. Also, on the heating front; ensuring your boiler is serviced regularly is cheaper in the long run than having to replace or urgently repair it.
Draught proofing is a quick and easy way to keep your tenants warm and save money. Use a candle or tea light to check for draughts around the edges of window frames, doors, and letterboxes.
Hot air rises, so properly insulating your loft can make a big difference in retaining heat in the property. If your property is older, it may be worth checking government schemes to help you get your property up to standard. Freezing pipes in the winter can also cause you huge issues. If pipes are not insulated, they can freeze overnight; wrapping them in lagging will keep pipes free from frost and help you to avoid pipe bursts.
If a property is empty and ready and waiting for a new tenant, landlords should consider flicking on the heating and making sure it’s warm and cosy for viewings.
Go Outside
Your property’s kerb appeal is its opportunity to make a good first impression, but it’s not just aesthetic. Keeping the outside of your house in good order demonstrates that you are an attentive landlord and look after your property; also, it can prevent potentially expensive damage during the winter months.
Check and clean your gutters; if they get blocked, they can cause water damage which can be costly to repair. Make sure your garden is in good order and trees aren’t encroaching on the property; mend broken garden fences, windows and anything else you can. It’s also worth checking your roof for loose, damaged or missing tiles; storms can cause damage which can escalate quickly if not nipped in the bud.
If your property is empty the garden may have gotten a little out of control; you can make some small upgrades to the outdoor spaces which can make a huge difference to the kerb appeal of the property. A well-maintained garden can give a property the burst of colour and tidiness it needs.
Get in Touch
If you are looking to buy, sell or rent a property in and around the Colnbrook area, we are the leading independent estate agents in Colnbrook and are location experts. So, contact us on 01753 683000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.