Landlord group offers cold weather advice to property owners
Landlord group offers cold weather advice to property owners.
The arrival of the winter season in the UK has prompted the Landlord Syndicate, a network of companies providing for landlords, to offer advice to landlords on preparing both their properties and tenants for the cold weather.
Statistics shows that during the cold months, insurance claims as a result of burst pipes and flooding rise by an average of 100%, compared to the summer season. And whilst the weather cannot be prevented or predicted, precautionary measures can be taken by landlords and tenants to minimise risksand limit possible damages.
The Landlord Syndicate advises landlords to arrange a convenient time with tenants to visit their properties to make checks both internally and externally. One should check that all pipes and tanks in the loft are adequately insulated and that overflow pipes are connected and not blocked.
Externally, pipe work should be lagged, including outside taps which should either be turned off internally if possible and drained down, or fitted with an insulated jacket. Also, 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. Another tip is to ensure drain gratings are clear of leaves 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 longer periods, and whether at home or not, doors between heated and unheated parts of the property should be left open to allow warm air to move around the property.
Last but not least, tenants should knowwhere the isolation valves are located in case they have to turn off the water to any part of the property, and those valves should work easily without the need for special tools.