An Effective Guide to Winterizing Your Rental Property While Occupied

Winterizing your property is a major undertaking and can be made even more complicated if you have tenants already living on the premises. That said, it is still doable and necessary for the comfort of the renters and the integrity of the property. Before you begin, you can set up a plan in steps on what tasks to handle to ensure you don't miss out on anything. 

The tasks include;

1. Notifying renters of the intended winterization project — Use various communication methods to ensure everybody is aware of the intended undertaking and the set time and dates. These include texts, emails, phone calls, and even in-person visits. 

2. Evaluating the property for minor repairs — E.g., Cracked walkways, damaged windows, broken installations, and more. Remember that some of these installations are instrumental in keeping the cold out.  

3. Inspection by licensed HVAC professionals — Their work is to check the heating systems and furnace area to ascertain they're in tip-top working condition and to repair if necessary. 

4. Working with a landscaper on the following — Keeping trees and branches trimmed, raking fallen leaves, cutting back dead growth, and preparing plants for winter. 

5. Unhooking hoses — This is so that the water doesn't freeze and burst the pipes. Also, drain pipes not in use can be filled with non-toxic anti-freeze.

6. Installing gutter guards — These prevent interference of water flow from debris and also save on cleaning time afterward.

7. Weatherstripping window sills and doors — For this, caulking in all air penetration gaps prevents cold air from leaking in.

8. Install a programmable thermostat — With this in the house, residents don't have to do much to keep temperatures bearable and living conditions comfortable. 

9. Encourage tenants to open kitchen and bathroom cabinets — This allows heat circulating in the house to radiate around pipes.

For any of the above tasks that may require using a professional, you'll need to sanitize the premises before and after working on it. Also, a healthy distance between the contracted individual, yourself, and the residents in the house may help keep everybody safe from Covid-19. 

The work may also be a bit much for you to handle if you have multiple rented units or have other projects to take care of. However, hiring a property management service to handle the work is not out of the question either. After all, they can easily handle and manage all these tasks and provide you with the finished result. Whatever you choose, make sure to be considerate of your renters during the process to ensure they're comfortable and that their needs are met. 

 

Best Practices for Open Houses Amidst COVID-19 + Flu Season

Open house visitations by potential buyers or renters remains an important part of the real estate process. While COVID-19 and the flu have limited the ability to hold open houses and changed how they operate, it is still largely possible to host an open house. Before you do so however it is important to consult this quick guide on the matter.

Can I hold an Open House?

In order to hold an Open House first meet with your property brokers to discuss whether they are allowing them or not.  The next step is to consult city, state and federal guidelines and possible "Shelter in Place" orders. Shelter in Place orders can either allow or disallow Open Houses based on if real estate is listed as an essential service or not in the specific order. These recommendations and policies affect both if you can host an Open House and how they should look if it is permissible. If you have taken these steps and carefully considered, you now can proceed to preparing the Open House.

What is the Protocol for Open House Visitors?

The most important factor in safety for Open Houses' during this time is managing the amount of visitors on the property and that they wear proper PPE.  Less than ten visitors are allowed in an Open House at the same time as per guidance from both the CDC and the president. It is also recommended to break up visiting groups so that only one group is on the property at any given time. When visitors are on the property you should ask them to limit the surfaces they touch-only doorknobs if possible. In addition to these measures, it is within your right to ask potential visitors if they are sick or have traveled recently, however ensure that you ask all visiting members to avoid discrimination. Once the visitors arrive, make sure they all are wearing proper PPE, being a face mask or other variant.

What Cleaning Procedures are Necessary?

When holding an Open House it is highly recommended to clean between visiting parties. This will ensure your safety, their safety and add an extra layer of comfort to your visitors as they survey the property.  When a party leaves, CDC guidelines are to wash your own hands for 20 seconds first. After this, clean the touch points in the house, usually doorknobs and other handles, with soap and water followed by disinfectant. In addition to this, open the windows in the house and turn on the fans to allow the air to filter properly within the house.

If you have any further questions make sure to ask your broker or consult the full CDC, presidential and local guidelines. Good luck on hosting your Open House and stay safe!