Get your home winter-ready: 7 things to take care of now
The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping and the heating is being switched on more often. Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your property for winter. This applies to your own home, but is especially important if you rent out a property.
A boiler that suddenly stops working, a leak after heavy rainfall or problems with damp: issues often become more noticeable during the colder months. As a landlord, you want these problems to be resolved quickly and properly, without having to take care of everything yourself.
At Tameling Vastgoed, our service therefore doesn't stop once a tenant receives the keys. During the rental period, tenants can also contact us if something goes wrong. We handle communication, follow up on maintenance issues and help take the work off the landlord's hands.
Prevention is, of course, better than having to solve problems afterwards. That's why we've listed 7 things you can do now to prepare your property for winter.
1. Check the heating
Don't wait until the first cold day to discover that the heating isn't working properly. Check in advance whether the boiler or other heating system is functioning as it should.
Are some radiators not heating up properly or can you hear bubbling noises? The radiators may need bleeding. Also check the water pressure and when the heating system was last serviced.
This is particularly important for rental properties. A breakdown is not only inconvenient for the tenant, but often requires quick action as well.
2. Check windows and doors for draughts
Can you feel cold air coming through windows or doors? Your property could be losing heat unnecessarily.
Check window frames, seals and draught excluders. Sometimes a small adjustment is all it takes to make the property more comfortable and keep the warmth inside.
Also look for damaged sealant around windows. Especially during a wet autumn and winter, small defects can eventually lead to damp or moisture problems.
3. Clean gutters and drains
During autumn, gutters can quickly fill up with leaves, twigs and other debris. This can prevent rainwater from draining properly.
Check the gutters and downpipes and remove any debris before winter begins. It's also worth checking whether rainwater is flowing away as it should.
It's a relatively simple check that can help prevent blockages, leaks and potential water damage.
4. Inspect the roof and exterior of the property
Rain, wind and frost can take their toll on the exterior of a property. Autumn is therefore a good time to walk around the house and check its condition.
Where possible, inspect the roof for damage and check window frames, exterior walls and sealant. Do you notice cracks, loose parts or areas where moisture could potentially get in? Have them checked in good time.
For a rental property, it's much better to identify these issues before a tenant discovers them during a heavy rainstorm.
5. Don't forget the outdoor tap and garden
You may hardly use an outdoor tap during winter, but freezing temperatures can cause problems. Check whether the outdoor tap and connected pipes are adequately protected against frost.
Take the opportunity to check the garden or balcony as well. Store vulnerable garden furniture and secure any loose items. This can help prevent damage during autumn and winter storms.
6. Keep your home well ventilated
As temperatures drop, windows and doors tend to stay closed more often. However, good ventilation remains particularly important during winter.
Showering, cooking, doing laundry and simply living in a property all create moisture. If that moisture cannot escape properly, it can lead to condensation and eventually mould.
Make sure ventilation grilles are clean and open and check that any mechanical ventilation system is working correctly. If you rent out the property, make sure your tenant also knows how to ventilate the home properly.
7. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
While you're carrying out your winter checks, it's also a good time to think about safety.
Test the smoke detectors and replace batteries where necessary. Does the property contain a fuel-burning appliance that could produce carbon monoxide? Then also check that the carbon monoxide detector(s) are functioning properly.
It's a small check that only takes a few minutes, but it can make an important difference to the safety of the property.
Renting out your property without having to manage everything yourself
Renting out a property involves more than finding a suitable tenant and drawing up a tenancy agreement. Questions, breakdowns and maintenance issues can also arise throughout the rental period.
A tenant dealing with a broken heating system, a leak or another problem naturally wants to know who to contact. At Tameling Vastgoed, tenants can contact us when something comes up during their tenancy. We handle the communication, assess what needs to be done and keep the landlord informed.
This means that, as a landlord, you don't have to deal with every individual issue yourself, while the tenant has one clear point of contact.
Thinking about selling or renting out your property?
While preparing your home for winter, you may also find yourself thinking about your future housing plans. Would you like to know what your property is worth, are you considering selling, or do you have a property you'd like to rent out?
Tameling Vastgoed assists with both the sale and rental of properties in Katwijk and the surrounding area. If you rent out your property, we can also continue to support you throughout the rental period.
Curious about what we can do for your property? Contact Tameling Vastgoed. We'd be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.