Essential Winter Break Repairs for Rental Units

As the fall semester winds down for the holiday season, your units will need some repairs during the winter months. From the late nights spent studying to heavy rain or snowstorms pelting down on your property, you’ll need to focus on both internal repairs, such as painting and deep carpet cleaning, and external repairs, like cleaning the gutters and maintaining the HVAC system. To make winter break maintenance a breeze, follow our list to keep your units intact and your tenants happy when they return for their next semester.

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This list will be split into three categories: Internal repairs, external repairs, and options for completely vacant units.

Internal Repairs

Internal repairs are a great place to start, as they can remove items from your list early and help you track your unit’s condition before entering the tenant takeover process at a later date. To get started, be sure to:

• Deep Clean & Disinfect: Clean everything in your unit from top to bottom. Focus on the most commonly touched areas, such as door handles, kitchens, bathrooms, and household appliances, before moving on to clean your carpets/floors.
• Plumbing Protection: Plumbing issues are common during the winter months due to leaks/bad insulation. Repair your pipes and water heaters to ensure there won’t be any surprise repairs when your tenants return.
• Draft Sealing: Windows, doors, and vents without proper insulation will let in water and damage your walls and floors, and raise energy bills with excess heating. Be sure to add weatherstripping to your doors, install window insulation kits, and use draft stoppers. For basements, add insulation to prevent moisture issues.
• HVAC Maintenance: While HVAC work is indoor and outdoor, you can start on the inside by changing filters, inspecting systems, cleaning out vents, installing new thermostats for more energy efficiency, and reversing ceiling fans.
• Paint & Woodwork: Once you’re done with heavy repairs, you should freshen up the unit with new paintwork on cabinets, doors, and walls. It can also be a good time to replace carpeting or flooring for better insulation.
• Fire Safety and Detector Checks: Despite the cold weather, fire and carbon monoxide safety are a must. Replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, test them, and ensure all exits are clear.

External Repairs

With the interior taken care of, you can now focus on keeping those repairs intact by fixing up the outside. Your outside is your first line of defense against weather damage, so be extra efficient in clearing out:

• Gutters & Roof: Poorly insulated roofs and clogged gutters can lead to water damage and ice dams. Clean your gutters and repair your roof if there are any holes or typical leak spots.
• Landscaping: Overgrown trees and shrubs can be a hassle to take care of, especially if extra leaves end up in your gutters. Trim down your trees and shrubs, clear out excess leaves, and winterize outdoor spigots/irrigation.
• Snow Prep: Don’t let snow pile up at your unit, as it will be harder to remove as winter break finishes. Plan ahead for snow removal by acquiring shovels, ice melt, and sand for driveways. Also, clear common pathways inside, such as front and back doors.
• Store Furniture: While your tenants will take their belongings with them, there may be some leftover furniture, like grills, that need to be covered. Place your patio furniture in a well-insulated garage or cover it for the season.
• Exterior Sealing: For added support, install foam outlet covers and seal cracks on the outside of your foundation, exterior walls, windows, doors, and pipe openings. For attics, add wall insulation for better heat retention.
• HVAC Maintenance Extended: While you’ve installed new thermostats and cleaned out vents, the outside also needs some support. Get your furnaces inspected, cover your AC unit, clean humidifiers, and check/replace filters.

Vacancy-Specific Tasks

While the tasks above still apply to both vacant and occupied units, there are some vacancy-specific tasks that can help keep your unit cared for and save a few dollars along the way. Before you leave the unit, consider:

• Water Shut-Off: Consider shutting off the water supply and draining lines if your units will be vacant for at least the winter into the spring.
• Anti-Freeze: Pour non-toxic anti-freeze into toilet bowls/tanks and sink drains, especially if the water is shut off.
• Appliance Care: Cleaning out refrigerators and unplugging non-essential electronics can save on your energy bill.
• Thermostat Setting: Set thermostat to at least 55°F (13°C) to protect pipes. If your pipes are located on exterior walls, set it a little higher to 60°F (15°C) for extra protection.
• Cabinet/Counter Upgrades: Working on upgrades now can be a benefit in the springtime as you reopen the market to future tenants. Consider installing new shelving, countertops, or backsplashes for a fresh look.

With the holiday season in full swing, you can enjoy your time off and rest easy knowing that your unit(s) are well-maintained and ready to take on what the winter season has in store.