The winter period is often jam-packed with excitement and festivities, but it can also be a prime opportunity for inclement weather to cause havoc on your buy-to-let property.
From plummeting temperatures to adverse weather conditions, it's crucial for landlords to take proactive measures to safeguard their investment and ensure a secure living environment for tenants during the colder months. Whether you have a full management agreement with an agent, or are looking after your buy-to-let yourself, staying on top of your safety checks is absolutely essential.
We’ve put together our top tips to help landlords protect their properties this winter:
Prepare your buy-to-let property for the winter months
Every year, as winter approaches, you, or your managing agent, should carry out a set of standard property checks to make sure your property is protected from the cold and adverse weather conditions. These checks should include:
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Having your annual gas check and boiler service
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Ensuring your radiators have been bled to ensure a well maintained heating system
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Making sure smoke detectors, heat sensors, and CO2 alarms have fresh batteries and that interlinked and hard-wired fire alarm systems are working properly
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Having portable appliance checks (PAT) on all electrical items, such as fridges and washing machines
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Checking all door and window seals and closures for draughts
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Clearing guttering and drains
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Making sure no roof tiles are loose or missing
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It’s also a good idea to remind your tenants of what to do and who to call in case of an emergency
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It’s worth having a few PAT tested, legal, heaters spare
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Give your agent advance approval for repairs
Know your tenants’ rights
The Deregulation Act has made it illegal for a landlord to evict a tenant for making valid complaints about housing conditions, and asking for necessary repairs and maintenance to be carried out on their home. Moreover, the Housing and Planning Act 2016 has given councils the right to fine landlords found to be in breach of their duties up to £30,000, without going to court.1
This means it’s more important than ever that you respond to your tenants and make repairs within a ‘reasonable’ timeframe. You also have to ensure that any repair issues reported by the tenant are responded to, in writing, within 14 days of the problem being raised.
So, over the winter period, when maintenance issues have the potential to be more serious than at other times of year, it’s a good idea to give your managing agent authorisation to fix problems up to a certain value without needing to contact you – especially if you’re planning to be away on holiday. Check with them that they have reliable emergency plumbers and electricians, who know letting laws, and make sure your tenants know exactly who to call in case of an emergency.
Regular communication with your tenants
Ensuring open levels of communication with your tenants is absolutely essential to ensuring the safety of your property. If your tenant is going away over the winter season, it’s worth reminding them (or asking your agent to) to leave the heating on low to avoid pipes freezing and bursting to safeguard against cold spells.
Also, given that Christmas is a prime opportunity for burglars to strike, ask them not to leave presents or any valuables on display, and to lock up properly when they leave the premises. It might also be a good idea to put some lamps on a timer, so that the property doesn’t look as if it’s unoccupied.
Finally, double check your landlord insurance policy to make sure you’ve met your obligations regarding property maintenance and are happy with the level of cover. If you have any concerns, call your insurer to see how you could enhance your current policy. This will ensure you won’t be left out of pocket if the winter weather gets the better of your rental property.
Peace of mind for your buy-to-let property
By far the best way to cover your rental property all year round is to engage a managing agent who is a member of ARLA Propertymark or RICS. This will give you peace of mind that trained professionals are ensuring your property is legally let, issues are dealt with quickly and correctly, and the rent your tenants have paid is protected. They should also have systems in place for taking care of any issues that may arise and any queries your tenants may have, handling everything on your behalf.
Remember, you need to make sure that your property is safe for your tenants all year round. Post-winter checks are just as important, as the warmer weather comes with its own set of challenges and obstacles.
Get in touch
If you have any queries regarding your buy-to-let mortgage, we’re on hand to help. Our team of expert advisers can talk you through all of the options available, whether you’re a prospective landlord or looking to expand your portfolio.
Important information
There is no guarantee that it will be possible to arrange continuous letting of the property, nor that rental income will be sufficient to meet the cost of the mortgage.
Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.
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