Winter is coming. There’s no avoiding it, and in Lee’s Summit, winter often means snow, freezing temperatures, ice, and wind. It’s important that you pay attention to the seasonal
maintenance
needs of your Lee’s Summit rental property. You want to protect your investment and the tenants who are living there.
Inspect and Service Lee’s Summit Heating Units
Your residents will certainly need heat throughout the winter, so make sure your furnace and heating units are working the way they should be. We strongly recommend having your entire HVAC system serviced twice a year. If you do it before the seasons change, you can be sure the heating unit is ready for winter.
Schedule your local HVAC technician come out to your rental properties to inspect, clean, and service the furnace, vents, and full heating unit. This will prevent a problem during the worst of the winter. You don’t want to be fielding phone calls from freezing tenants who are complaining about their lack of heat. Get ahead of that potential problem.
Check for Water Intrusion and Avoid Frozen Pipes
Before winter sets in, check and clean the gutters at your property. You’re looking for any debris that might have gathered there throughout the summer and fall. If your gutters are clogged, you run the risk of attracting pests and pushing water into the property. That’s going to lead to bigger and more expensive problems.
After you’ve had the gutters cleaned out, check the roof as well. You want to make sure there isn’t a lot of debris, and you also want to look for water intrusion indications. Make sure there aren’t any holes or missing shingles.
Talk to your tenants about keeping the heat on to ensure pipes don’t freeze. If they’re going away for a few days during the winter months, you don’t want them to shut the heat of entirely.
You also want to make sure your rental property or your building is well-insulated. Inspect the windows and doors. Trim back any tree branches or bushes that might break windows during a winter storm.
Winter Landscaping and Lawn Care
Outdoor pools should be drained or covered and off limits as soon as the fall weather sets in. Start by giving the pool a good cleaning and remove any floating or loose accessories. Flush the filter and lower the water level. You’ll want to make sure you drain the filter, the pump, and any heater you might use as well as the equipment that delivers chlorine to the water. Empty the chemical feeder and apply the cover. Make sure it’s secure and that any gates or fences leading to the pool are locked.
Generally,
landlords are responsible for winterizing their rental properties. But, your tenants should know how to help maintain them and how to contact you if there is an emergency such as a frozen pipe or a lack of heat.
We can help you with all of your Lee’s Summit property management needs. Please
contact us at Midwest Property Resources for any assistance.
Since its founding in 2011,
Midwest Property Resources has been innovating property management and leasing in eastern Jackson County, northern Cass County, Missouri as well as Johnson County, KS, serving the communities of Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Greenwood, Raymore, Independence, Overland Park, and others that surround them.
