Five top tips for your tenants over winter
Our tips for your tenants over the winter period
With attempted break ins peaking in the winter, remember to close and lock windows and doors securely when leaving the property and overnight.
And having a couple of lights on timers, set to come on and go off at different times, can give the impression that someone’s always home.
Lots of people go on holiday or visit family over the Christmas period and if it’s only for a week or so, there’s not usually any need to let the landlord or agent know.
However, during winter there could easily be freezing temperatures or adverse weather events and if the property is vacant, any damage might not be discovered for several days.
Let your landlord or agent know about any trips away so they can make checks on the property if necessary.
We all love extra warmth and a cosy atmosphere in winter, but make sure any free-standing heaters are kept away from curtains and furnishings and all fires and candles are properly extinguished before leaving the property or going to bed.
Less ventilation combined with the cold can lead to damp problems as excess moisture trapped inside the house will settle on cold surfaces, where it can develop into mould.
Opening the windows as often as possible is the best solution, but if that’s not comfortable, use extractor fans, open trickle vents and make sure there’s always some background heating on, which will also help prevent pipes from freezing.
Excessive wet weather, snow, ice and wind can all damage garden furniture and if there are high winds, the furniture could get blown into fences, sheds and windows and cause damage itself.
So, if there’s a garage or large shed at the property, put the furniture away for the winter, or simply store it in the most protected area of the garden.
You can also direct your tenants to our series of free advice sheets to help them look after their home this winter.
Keeping your property safe from adverse weather conditions and other winter property problems such as break-ins, is about getting the basics right and following a few simple rules.
If you maintain the property’s general upkeep, invest in good fittings and think proactively about risk mitigation, you can reduce the odds of needing to make a claim for damage caused by severe weather and other risks this winter.
That said, no matter what measures you put in place you can’t eliminate risk entirely. Landlord insurance is essential if you want to protect your property and investments.
Total Landlord Insurance offers comprehensive cover for landlords, providing peace of mind that, should the worst happen, you are covered. Get a quote today to find out how much you could save.
If you have any questions about underinsurance or would like to discuss landlord insurance with one of our experts, please contact the Total Landlord team on0800 63 43 880 or email enquiries@totallandlordinsurance.co.uk
