MA Landlords, Get Your Rental Properties Ready for WinterÂ
Massachusetts winters are never quite complete without cold, harsh weather and snow. Since winter is right around the corner, it’s wise for property owners to get their buildings up to scratch. Just as we pull on heavy sweaters and gloves, properties need a bit of TLC to weather the winter ahead, too. As a landlord in the Boston are here are some essential maintenance tasks.
- Seal up gaps in windows and doors
Walk around the property and see if you can feel any cool air being let in through gaps in the windows and doors. If you visit the property on a windy day, it may make it easier to detect any air leaks. These gaps can increase heating bills, which is not ideal for any tenant. Fill in gaps with weather-stripping and caulking to prevent cold air leaking into the property. If the caulking is dry and cracking, peel it off and replace it.
- Service boilers/furnaces
Call out a professional to make sure that the heating system is in good condition for the cold winter ahead. Having access to heat is a basic right of all tenants under landlord-tenant law, so avoid fines by completing the necessary checks and servicing it before the winter temperatures arrive.
- Check the insulation
Insulation helps to keep a property’s heat inside as well as lowering the utility bills for the tenant. You can have insulation installed in the attics and crawlspaces to help with heat retention. If there are any exposed pipes, wrap insulation around them to prevent them from freezing.
- Clear out the gutters
Fall may have clogged the gutters with leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris. Make sure to clean out the property’s gutters so that blockages do not occur. If gutters are clogged, it could prevent melting snow from being able to drain properly. In turn, this can cause roof leaks as the water will seep inside.
- Inspect trees on the property
Snow, ice, and high winds have the potential to snap off tree branches or cause entire trees to fall. To keep your property – and tenant – safe, it’s a good idea to prune back any trees on the property. Pay attention to the trees that look weak and rotted.
- “Add something on making sure you snow removal services are in place.”
Landlords, another great way to protect your property is to secure reliable insurance. At CAV Insurance Agency in Wellesley are ready to find the right coverage to suit your needs, property, and budget. We serve landlords in Boston, Brookline, Newton and surrounding cities in Massachusetts. Contact us to get started!