How Landlords Can Prepare Their Properties For Spring

How Landlords can prepare their property for Spring?

Spring provides the perfect opportunity to get your property back in order following the cold, harsh winter months. With the wet and windy weather clearing up and longer daylight hours, homeowners can begin thoroughly checking their property for any damage that may have occurred during the previous 3 months.

Burst pipes, loose roof tiles, cracked windows and rotten wood are all problems that can reveal themselves over the winter months. Therefore, spring is the perfect time to rectify them before these once small problems become more serious. That’s why InsuraHome Home Insurance provide 3 tips for landlords on how to get their rental properties ready for spring.

Indoor Inspection

A sensible place to start is with a general, overview inspection of the property. Inspections should be done at least every six months to keep your property in tip top shape.

An inspection should include everything from the security and safety of the fixtures and fittings to the functioning of smoke alarms and appliances, and even things like the overall cleanliness of the property. Dirty windows might not seem like a serious problem, but could be a sign of a more pressing issue such as damp. Grime can also do lasting damage and affect the performance of your doors and windows. So, it is important to take the time to dust the frames and vacuum regularly to reduce potential problems further down the line.

Roof and Guttering

Winter brings strong winds which can badly affect your roof, exposing tiles and cladding or causing more severe damage. This can lead to leaks, which can cause problems in your attic and could even drip down to the floors below, doing damage to your furnishings. Without attention, damaged roofing can set the stage for damp problems further down the line and can even lead to mould in rooms between the wall and the ceiling. So, the roof should be one of your first ports of call during a post-winter inspection of the external of your property.

While you’re up on the roof, don’t forget to inspect the guttering. Strong winds can dislodge even the sturdiest of gutters. There is also the chance that debris may have built up, causing a blockage that could result in complications when spring showers begin.

Also, if leaves and other debris are left to dry out in the spring and summer sun, it could even pose a fire risk; dried leaves can unfortunately make the perfect kindling. Cleaning out the guttering simply involves getting your hands a little bit dirty and removing the waste. We would advise some caution whilst tackling this job, particularly if you are not a fan of heights!

Damp, wood and cracks

The gradual increase in temperature brought on by spring provide ideal conditions for wood rot. It is wise to search the property for areas where any protective paints or seals have come away and treat those areas before it gets any worse.

Dampness and mould can also be an issue, particularly in properties close to a body of water or those with a basement. If left unchecked, mould can not only be detrimental to the health of your tenants but can result in serious structural issues.

Cold weather can also result in cracks, particularly on the patio and driveway areas which are more exposed to the elements. Small hairline cracks are easily treatable with the help of some filler and doing so will prevent them from widening into larger problematic crevices.

Finally, check for cracks in the walls, ceilings and brickwork for signs of subsidence. While dealing with it might be daunting and costly, it’s much better to identify any problems sooner rather than later, before more serious issues involving the foundations of the property emerge.

Don’t forget your InsuraHome Landlord Home Insurance

At InsuraHome Home Insurance, we understand how important it is to protect your home from the unexpected.

• Loss or Damage caused by Fire, Smoke, Explosion, Lightning or Earthquake
• Loss or Damage caused by Storm, Hail or Weight of Snow
• Loss or Damage caused by Flood
• Loss or Damage caused by the escape of water
• A choice of policy excess – £100, £250, £500 or £1,000
• First time buyer discount
• Facility to transfer any no claims history from a previous insurer
• Covers the cost of alternative accommodation if your property is left uninhabitable due to an insured event

Legal Expenses, Rent Guarantee and Landlords Emergency Cover are available as optional extras. Click here to see the full InsuraHome Landlord House Insurance Policy Wording for the full summary of buildings and contents covers as well as optional covers.

To get an InsuraHome Landlord Home Insurance quote, call our landlord home insurance specialists on 01483 806 815 or click here to download and complete the online Home Insurance quote proposal form and simply send it to us – we’ll do the rest to get you a Home Insurance quote!

This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing however please check the latest policy wording here for the latest policy terms, conditions and exclusions..