Fall and Winter Tips for Renters
Now that winter has arrived in Virginia, landlords have a new set of responsibilities to attend to, since the changing of the seasons brings with it a new set of hazards.
The following is a list of advice that you may give to your tenants for the fall and winter seasons to help keep your property secure and comfortable when the weather becomes colder.
Concerning the outside:
Hoses, Spigots, and Sprinklers
It doesn’t take long for pipes to freeze when the temperature is extremely low. Make sure that all of the water sources that are located outside have been disconnected and winterized in order to help prevent frozen pipes. First, remove all of the hoses’ connections at the spigots, and then cover the spigots. If the property has sprinklers, you need to make sure that they are winterized as well, if they have not previously been done. Also, if the sprinklers have already been turned off by being blown out, you should not turn them back on. This has the potential to cause harm to the system and call for another blowout. You should also try to turn off the water supply to the exterior of the house if at all possible.
Raked up all of the leaves that had fallen in the yard as soon as possible. Leaving fallen leaves where they land might result in the death of your lawn as well as the spread of mould and fungus. The process of raking them helps maintain a healthy lawn that is prepared for spring. In addition to that, jumping in the mounds is a great deal of fun.
The Trails and the Debris
The likelihood of falling and injuring oneself while walking increases as the days get shorter. Be sure to switch on any outdoor lights that are necessary when the time comes, as adequate lighting can assist in preventing any unexpected bumps in the night. Make sure that your walkways are free of any debris or other objects that could potentially cause injuries, and make sure that any waste is disposed of in the appropriate manner to avoid pests.
Alarms for Carbon Monoxide and Smoke are Installed Inside
Every single one of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should have their batteries checked and replaced on an annual basis. It is imperative that these be kept in good functioning order at all times!
Turn on the Heat although this may appear like an obvious statement, there are some people who prefer a cooler temperature in their houses. During the colder months of the year, you absolutely need to have heat, but people have different ideas about what the minimum temperature should be. Despite this, the majority of heating specialists agree that throughout the winter months you shouldn’t lower your thermostat below 68 degrees. Be sure to examine the lease as well, as some of them stipulate a temperature that should not be dropped below and you are not allowed to do so. Also, as soon as you become aware of a problem with the heating in your home, you should investigate the possibility of having it fixed.
Those Pesky Windows and Doors
If you take the time to ensure that the doors and windows are operating as they should, you can assist keep the cold where it belongs: outside. Be sure to confirm that each and every one of them can properly close and lock. Immediately make repairs if you discover any problems, such as draughts or leaks.
Fireplace
During the cooler months, fireplaces are a wonderful amenity to have, and almost everyone enjoys sitting by a warm fire. If the house has a fireplace that burns wood, you need to ensure that the flue is open before you start a fire in it. Regularly remove any ash and debris that may have accumulated. And if anything looks off or isn’t working as it should, put out the fire as soon as possible and get in touch with the appropriate chimney firm so they can assess the situation.
Have a lovely winter and holiday season ahead of you, and please make sure to keep warm and remain safe.