Cold weather advice for landlords
Posted by Jayne Codling
With the UK currently experiencing another cold snap, now might be a good time for landlords to take steps to protect their properties against possible damage caused by wintry weather, if they haven't already done so.
While buy-to-let owners would be wise to have good landlord property insurance cover in place to make sure they are financially protected from the cost of repairing weather-related damage, there are a number of things they can do to minimise the risk of damage occurring in the first place.
The Landlord Syndicate, a community of businesses in the private rented sector, has this week published a number of tips to help buy-to-let owners prepare their properties for harsh winter weather, reports propertywire.com.
First of all, landlords should arrange a convenient time with tenants to visit the property so they can carry out a number of internal and external checks, the group advised.
Landlords should make sure all pipes are lagged and that water tanks are properly insulated to prevent pipes from bursting and flooding the property.
"Gutters and downpipes should be clean, free from cracks and have supporting brackets that are secure as snow and ice can add excessive weight resulting in damage," added Eddie Hooker, chief executive of Total Landlord Insurance - one of the members of the Landlord Syndicate.
"This is also the time to ensure drain gratings are clear of leaves and debris and that there are no cracked or missing roof tiles."
Landlords should also advise tenants to leave the heating on low if they are planning to be away for a prolonged period during cold weather and that doors between heated and unheated parts of the property should be left open to allow warm air to move around the property.
It is also a good idea to provide tenants with the number of their preferred contractor in case the tenant was unable to contact the landlord in an emergency, said the group.
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