It’s fair to say that Boston has experienced lower-than-normal snow amounts over the past several years. However, we can’t forget 2014 -2015 when we got pounded with ridiculously high levels of snow. The only thing constant about Boston weather is that it is totally inconsistent and constantly changing.
Most landlords hope that we have small amounts of snow each year because it can be very expensive and also cause a lot of property damage. Most renters, on the other hand, haven’t had to learn the financial pitfalls of snow. So, unfortunately, most tenants aren’t thinking about things like frozen pipes and ice dams. That’s why landlords need to proactively winterize their properties before extreme winter weather.
Here are 10 things to do before the first Arctic tundra rolls in.
1. Button up all fall maintenance.
If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to finish all fall maintenance at your Boston-area rental property. Clean the gutters, inspect HVAC systems, close outside faucets, store patio furniture, etc. Look for cracks or where water could gather. You don’t want water to freeze and expand and cause damage such as foundation leaks.
2. Check in with your tenants.
Despite your best efforts to prep for the winter, there may be things you’ve overlooked. Your tenants can provide you with insight into needed repairs and maintenance. For instance, they might know about a drafty window or faucet that acts up during the winter—things you wouldn’t necessarily know without living there. This information will help you prepare for the extreme cold. Ask them early and often – they often know of problems but forget to tell you.
3. Create a landlord-tenant “To-Do” list.
This list will outline the repairs that you’ll make in advance of the next cold bout (e.g. insulating doors and windows, wrapping basement pipes with electric heating cords). It will also outline what you expect from the tenant once the cold actually sets in. This might…