10 Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes

  The Landlord's Winter Survival Guide: 10 Tips to Keep Your Property Safe from Frozen Pipes

As a landlord, it's important to take steps to protect your rental property from the potential damages that can be caused by freezing pipes. Not only can frozen pipes lead to costly repairs, but they can also cause water-related damage to your property. While it's always a good idea to educate your tenants on the importance of properly insulating pipes and taking preventative measures to protect against freezing, there may be instances where you can't rely on your tenants to do so. In these cases, it's important to have tenant-proof freeze protection measures in place to ensure that your property is protected, even if your tenants aren't taking the necessary precautions. Here are ten ways to protect your rental property's pipes from freezing:

1. Insulate exposed pipes: If you have any pipes that are exposed to the elements, make sure they are properly insulated. This can be done with foam pipe insulation, which is easy to install and relatively inexpensive.

2. Use heat tape: Heat tape is a type of electrical heating element that can be wrapped around pipes to prevent freezing. It's important to use UL-listed heat tape, as it has been tested and approved for use.

3. Install a pipe heating system: A pipe heating system is a more comprehensive solution for protecting against freezing pipes. These systems use electrical heating elements to keep the water in your pipes at a constant temperature, even in extreme cold weather.

4. Use a pipe insulation blanket: A pipe insulation blanket is a type of insulation that can be wrapped around pipes to keep them warm. These blankets are easy to install and can be cut to fit any size pipe.

5. Install a frost-free hydrant: Frost-free hydrants have a longer spout that extends beyond the frost line, preventing the valve from freezing. These hydrants can be a good option for properties with outdoor faucets that are prone to freezing.

6. Keep the thermostat set to a consistent temperature: By keeping the thermostat set to a consistent temperature, you can help prevent pipes from freezing. It's important to keep the temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when the property is unoccupied.

7. Close off crawl spaces: Crawl spaces can be a common source of freezing pipes, as they are often poorly insulated and prone to drafts. By sealing off crawl spaces and adding insulation, you can help protect against freezing pipes.

8. Disconnect garden hoses: When the weather turns cold, it's important to disconnect any garden hoses from outdoor faucets. If the hose is left connected, the water inside can freeze and cause the faucet or pipe to burst.

9. Install a water alarm: A water alarm is a device that sounds an alert when it detects water. By installing a water alarm near your pipes, you can be alerted to any potential issues before they turn into major problems.

10. Consider hiring a professional: If you're not comfortable taking on these tasks yourself, consider hiring a professional to help with the installation and maintenance of freeze protection measures. A professional plumber can assess your property and recommend the best solutions for protecting against freezing pipes.

By taking these tenant-proof freeze protection measures, you can help protect your rental property against the costly damages that can be caused by freezing pipes. While it's always a good idea to educate your tenants on the importance of proper insulation and freeze protection, these measures can give you peace of mind that your property is protected, even if your tenants aren't taking the necessary precautions.

Safety and Maintenance to Avoid Common Property Liabilities

 Safety and Maintenance to Avoid the Most Common Property Liabilities

Liability risk is a noted concern for landlords and property owners. Some of the more common property liabilities can be addressed quickly to ensure safety and efficiency for tenants and owners.

Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards

A high-risk liability in any dwelling or building would be the opportunity for a slip, trip or fall to occur. When these instances occur not only can damage be done to a structure, but a person may also be injured. These sorts of injuries can fall under the liability of the building owner if necessary precautions were not in place.

• Stairwells and steps should be well taken care of with handrails present. Slip guards, treads on steps and anti-slip mats can be good fixes to areas that have the potential to cause a person to fall and be injured. 
• If sidewalks, flooring or walking areas have cracks, dips or uneven surfaces the areas should be well-marked. Contacting a contractor to evaluate any areas of concern and addressing flooring issues could go a long way in preventing a potential slip, trip or fall.

Lighting and Signage

Well-lit areas and properly cleared means of egress are important life safety factors. Especially in a single-family dwelling with people coming and going. Adequate lights and clear paths will help tenants find a safe area in the event of a fire or weather disaster.

• Hallways, stairwells and areas of assembly that have adequate lighting will provide a safe atmosphere for people to navigate a dwelling with ease. 
• Checking light fixtures and changing out bulbs will allow for a dwelling owner to keep the lights on and working for the safety of all.

System Maintenance

To avoid system breakdown and/or a serious catastrophe, it is important to check over all of the system units in a property.

• The heating and air-conditioning units should be up to date with semi-annual maintenance checks. Filters should be replaced as needed to avoid a disruption of service.
• Electrical system maintenance is important to keep the power operating and to also avoid any potential hazards. Circuit breaker boxes should be checked and tagged. 
• Proper maintenance system checks should be recorded so property owners can see the life of a furnace, AC unit, etc. and know when updates or upgrades are required.

Preventing Pipes from Freezing this Winter

 3 Steps to Protect Your Rental Property's Pipes

Extreme or sudden freezes can be a major concern for landlords, as frozen pipes can lead to water damage, costly repairs, and unhappy tenants. However, there are steps that landlords can take to protect their properties and minimize the risk of damage from freezing temperatures.

Before we dive in, it's important to understand how pipes freeze and how to identify when they are in danger. Pipes are most likely to freeze when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and they are located in uninsulated areas, such as basements, attics, or crawl spaces. Signs that pipes may be freezing include a decrease in water pressure, a change in the color or taste of the water, or a loud banging noise when the water is turned on. Follow these three steps to prevent damage to your investment:

1. Insulate

To prevent pipes from freezing, landlords should take steps to insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as basements and attics. This can be done by wrapping pipes in insulation, using pipe sleeves, or installing heat tape. Additionally, landlords should make sure that any vents or ducts in unheated areas are properly sealed to prevent cold air from entering the space.

2. Inspect

It's also important for landlords to be proactive about checking the property for potential issues before the weather turns cold. This might include inspecting the property for leaks, checking the thermostat, and making sure that all windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent drafts. Landlords should also consider turning the water off and draining the pipes before a forecasted freeze, as well as installing a freeze alarm to alert them of potential issues.

3. Inform

Another step that landlords can take to protect their property is to provide tenants with information on how to prevent pipes from freezing and what to do if they suspect that pipes are freezing. This might include providing tenants with information on how to properly maintain their heating systems, how to properly use space heaters, and how to turn off the water in case of an emergency.

Overall, landlords can take a number of steps to protect their properties from extreme or sudden freezes. By taking steps to insulate pipes, being proactive about identifying and addressing potential issues, and providing tenants with information and resources, landlords can minimize the risk of damage and protect their investments.

Signs of a Hasty Flip

 5 Signs of a Hasty Flip That Turn Off Prospective Buyers

Hasty flips attract hasty buyers. Flipping homes is one of the fastest ways to make money in real estate. However, investors who buy homes and resell them quickly often run into trouble.

Here are five signs of a hasty flip that may turn off prospective buyers — leading to losses instead of profits.

1. Flimsy Materials

Hasty flips often use cheap materials that don't last long. If you can see that the walls or floors are made of particle board, for example, this is not a sign of quality construction.

A real estate agent with experience in flipping homes may be able to tell you if the materials used in your new home are sturdy and durable or if they will need replacing soon after purchase.

2. Fresh Paint That Doesn't Match

In a hasty flip, the paint job is often a rush job. The homeowner might have had an existing color in mind and ordered it from a paint store that was closing. Or maybe they were on a tight deadline and just grabbed some paint from the local hardware store.

Either way, if the color doesn't match the rest of your house or neighborhood, it'll turn off buyers — even if they don't know why.

3. New Carpeting That Doesn't Match

If you have new carpeting or new paint, that's great! However, if the carpeting doesn't match the rest of the house and the walls are painted a different color, this is a red flag for potential buyers.

If you are selling your home and want to make it seem like an upgrade, make sure you're using paint that matches the existing paint in your home. If you want to keep things neutral but want to add some flair, consider painting one wall a different color but keeping it toned down so that it works with what is already there.

4. Faded Paint

You may have thought your home was perfect when you bought it, but buyers know better than anyone else that nothing lasts forever when it comes to real estate — even high-end homes are prone to wear and tear over time.

One sign that your house might not have been maintained as well as you think: faded paint on walls and ceilings throughout the house. It doesn't take long for paint to lose its luster; if yours looks old and worn out after only a few years of use, what does that say about how long it might last?

5. Lack of Curb Appeal

The first thing that buyers notice when they pull up to a home is the exterior, including landscaping, paint colors and curb appeal. If you see that the exterior looks like it was put together in a hurry, it may be telling you that something is wrong with the inside as well.

While curb appeal is subjective, there are some things that can be improved to attract more buyers. For example, a fresh coat of paint on the front door and windows can make a huge difference. A new mailbox or front door mat may also be enough to make you stand out from the competition.

Vetting Potential Tenants

Vetting Potential Tenants Using Credit: How And How Not To Use It

Tenants with bad credit are a sign that something may be wrong with their ability to pay rent. If you're worried about your tenants' credit, consider why that might be the case. Is there any evidence of fraud (like unpaid debts)? Are they paying their bills on time? Is there any indication that this person has engaged in illegal activity? If so, you may have to consider whether or not you can trust them with your property.

Why Does Credit Matter?

• Use credit reports as part of a tenant screening process. Credit reports can help you vet potential tenants, but they should only be used as one piece of your overall strategy. Credit checks can be done for free at any significant sites, so there's no need to pay extra money for this service.
• Tenant screening is essential for landlords. Tenants who have bad credit histories may not be able to pay rent on time or might not be able to meet other requirements like having steady employment history or being able to provide references from previous landlords who know them well enough that they feel comfortable letting them in their home without doing additional due diligence first; these people may also have lower incomes than those who do have good credit scores because they don't make enough money working full-time jobs outside their homes either—so it's essential for landlords themselves too!

Don't Use It to Discriminate.

You may be wondering how you can use credit to discriminate against tenants. Well, it's not allowed.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex and disability.

A landlord cannot deny a tenant based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin alone. However, the landlord can refuse to rent to someone who has been convicted of certain crimes involving violence or guns—for example, burglary with intent (a felony in California), assault with deadly weapons (a felony), attempted murder (usually defined as second-degree attempted murder if there was no injury).

Having said that: a landlord may ask you whether someone has ever been arrested for any crime before and then base your decision on whether they've been convicted of those same crimes--but only if they're asked this question directly by the landlord in person when discussing potential tenants' backgrounds during an application process!

Ask for Permission to Check Credit.

It may seem obvious, but you need to ask for permission before checking credit. If you don't get written consent, the tenant can sue you for invasion of privacy and other violations.

You'll want to ensure that the tenant has signed the form authorizing you to do this check; if not, then it's not legal for them to give permission to investigate their financial status (even if they pay rent on time). Make sure that when collecting rent or taking out a lease deposit from a tenant who hasn't paid in full yet—or even if there is no signed consent form yet—you have an agreement as well as proof that said the deal had been met with each tenant signing off on such inspections by giving them copies of their paperwork regarding any checks made during these visits. Hence, they understand exactly what kind(s) of financial information may be obtained when conducting such searches.

(Re)Check the Credit Report on Time.

The following steps should be taken to ensure that your credit report is up-to-date and accurate.

• Check the credit report before accepting a tenant. Before you apply, make sure there are no outstanding loans on their record. If there are, cancel the application immediately and find another property management company to work with in the future. After they move in, recheck their file—this time looking for any payments or collections that might indicate they're not paying rent on time or getting into financial trouble.
• Check their file periodically after they've moved out of your property (and every six months after that). Again, look for payment information, such as late fees charged by banks when tenants miss payments during their tenancy period; this will give you an idea of whether or not it's worth continuing working with them moving forward!

Take Tenant Screening Seriously.

When you're looking to rent out your property, a credit report is one of the most critical factors in determining whether or not a tenant is suitable for the job. But other factors can affect your decision-making process—and you should consider them before deciding how much weight to give credit reports.

Here's why: First, because tenants don't always pay bills on time and often leave behind broken appliances or damaged property when moving out (which could be costly), having a sound tenant screening system will help protect your investment by reducing risk and helping ensure that no bad apples make it onto the property list. Second, suppose there's one thing we've learned from recent court cases across America regarding landlords' rights under fair housing laws (FHL). In that case, it's that having good tenant screening practices will help avoid problems with tenants before they even happen!

Keep Your Credit Reports (and Tenants) Secure.

It's essential to keep your tenant's credit reports secure. Here are some tips:

• Do not share credit reports with third parties. This includes landlords, property management companies, or other real estate professionals unless they are directly involved in the tenant screening process.
• Do not post them online at any time (e-mailing them is fine), print them out and leave them in the mailbox of potential tenants as a "courtesy" (this is legal), or leave them with a security guard at the building entrance so that they can be accessed by anyone who enters the building. At the same time, you're gone—these actions can lead to identity theft if someone steals your information from those files!

View Bad Credit as an Opportunity to Educate Tenants.

One of the most important things you can do as a landlord is to educate your tenants about their financial responsibilities. Lousy credit may indicate a tenant's ability to pay rent on time and maintain the property. Still, it's also possible they could be dealing with some sudden change in circumstance—a job loss, divorce or death in the family.

If you're worried about how much money your tenant will be able to afford each month when they move into their new home, don't think twice about giving them a chance at being approved for credit by one lender over another (especially if you know exactly what types of loans those cats have been taking out). This way, when it comes time for them to start paying rent each month (or any other form of payment), there won't be any surprises down the road because now everyone knows exactly where those payments should go!

Conclusion

Remember, credit is only one piece of a more extensive tenant screening process. Your credit report holds a lot of information that can help you make an informed decision, but there are other factors to consider. If you have questions about using credit and your rights as a landlord, please contact us for further assistance. You can also visit our website, Leaf Management.