Tips for Winter Rental Property Maintenance

Maintaining rental properties is a continual process, regardless of the season. However, winter can cause significant wear to buildings, so preventing that damage is essential. Approach this snowy and icy time with a winter rental property maintenance plan incorporating a maintenance schedule and a list of tasks to manage as the seasons change.

Preparing Your Rental Property for Winter

Before freezing temperatures hit, you should look over your property for potential issues. These maintenance checks will help you prepare for winter.

Check the Heating System

Have your HVAC system checked by a professional. A service call can reveal hidden issues and help prevent expensive repairs in the future. It will also ensure all the components, like the heat exchanger, blower motor and vents, are working and ready for the colder months.

Ensure tenants will stay cozy and comfortable by changing filters and checking the thermostat's settings and batteries.

Winterize Windows and Doors

Drafts cause icing around door thresholds and window jams. Adjust door sweeps and add caulking or spray foam to holes where winter chills sneak through. 

Weatherproof Pipes

Before the coldest months set in, winterize your pipes. If you don't have pipe insulation already, get a professional to install it.

You'll also want to educate your tenant about the signs of frozen pipes, such as:

• Banging or whistling noises coming from pipes
• A slow trickle or no water when the faucet is opened
• Bubbling sounds when flushing the toilet
• Frost on the outside of the pipes
• A cracked or bulging pipe with ice seeping out of the opening

Prepare the Attic

Keeping the heat from the furnace out of the attic during winter is essential, as trapped moist air can cause mold issues. Your first line of defense is proper attic insulation, which a professional can install to protect your property's integrity.

If you already have insulation, you should check its condition to ensure that rodents or other small animals haven't compromised it.



Essential Winter Maintenance

While all your maintenance jobs are important, some should take priority during the winter months. These tasks will help you prevent wind and water damage.

Manage Ice and Snow

With snow removal, it's best to work out a system with your tenant so they're aware. If you're going to ask your tenant to remove it, make sure that responsibility is included in the lease. For areas with heavy snow, you should consider a snow removal company and try to secure these services as early as possible.

Trim Tree Branches

Strong winds can tear tree branches off, causing them to fall on vehicles or damage nearby roofs and windows. To minimize risk, have a professional trim any limbs that pose a danger or appear to be in poor condition.

Inspect the Roof and Gutters

Hire a contractor to clear any debris that could trap water and snow and have them do a comprehensive roof checkup to look for missing shingles and leaks.



If you haven't already cleared your gutters, check them for clogs to prevent the formation of ice dams and repair any damaged sections.

Tasking With Tenants

Tenants should be an important part of the year-round rental property maintenance plan. Spelling out who's responsible for tasks leads to a clear understanding of what to do and when. When landlords and tenants cooperate on minor upkeep requirements, they help prevent larger issues.

Responsible tenants could be the biggest insurance policy of all when they feel ownership and are in a position to see problems developing. Possibly, a landlord-tenant to-do list may go along with the agreement, and a little seasonal incentive from the landlord will go a long way toward keeping the relationship warm over the winter.

Emergency Contact List

One last piece of rental property insurance is a list of critical components located on the rental property and a schedule of emergency contacts. This should be posted where it can be easily found.

Here are some emergency contacts to include:

• Police, fire, ambulance (other than 911)
• Rental property owner
• Property management company
• Emergency repair company (plumbing, heating, electrical)
• Restoration company (flood or smoke damage)
• Snow removal contractor
• Waste removal contractor

A final tip on maintaining a rental property is to work with a professional property manager. The founders of Harrisburg Property Management Group are also rental property holders with plenty of experience in property management, real estate investment and construction.

Rental Property Maintenance for Winter

Preparing for winter protects your property and tenants. Build your winter maintenance checklist with wind, water and ice in mind, and check all the major systems that might break down during the colder months.

The time and money spent in routine maintenance and preparation for the changing seasons will pay back enormously in long-term cost savings and reduction of headaches. Proper seasonal maintenance of rental properties needs the same care and attention as a principal residence. Not only is it good business practice to keep on top of rental property maintenance, but it’s also cost-effective. Properly scheduled maintenance actually lowers maintenance costs and ultimately extends the property’s life.

Contact Us Today for Expert Property Management

If you’re looking for reliable and professional property management in Harrisburg, PA, the Harrisburg Property Management Group delivers high-quality, comprehensive services. We have a critical understanding of the unique needs that rental property ownership requires. It’s not just theoretical know-how we’ve acquired — our staff has thousands of hours in full property renovations and has completed hundreds of property turnovers and real estate transactions.

Since 2011, Harrisburg Property Management Group has worked to become one of the top rental management companies in Central Pennsylvania, and we continue working hard to achieve the highest quality standards and to deliver reliable service.

Harrisburg Property Management Group offers comprehensive rental property support. Contact us today or call 717 564-RENT.