At this point in the year, it’s likely that you’ve prepared your property or even multiple properties for the winter. As seasoned property managers know, taking preventative measures doesn’t stop when the first snow hits. Regardless of how much time and effort you put into keeping your property in good condition throughout the milder season, there’s always more to do to protect it in the cold months.
Active property managers continuously monitor the most critical areas of your property and prevent winter damage from happening. Here’s how you can actively maintain your property over the winter and ensure everyone’s safety.
1. Monitor the Property’s Exterior
You’ve stocked up on salt and shovels, and contacted your snow removal company, but is the exterior of your building getting the attention it deserves? Check in on the exterior of the property regularly, especially after a major snowfall, and ask your condo security personnel or other maintenance staff to update you on conditions if you’re not always at that location.
If there is ice, a buildup of snow, or other safety hazards which end up causing a slip, trip or fall accident, you could be held liable. For your tenant’s and visitor’s safety and to reduce liability, you need to regularly be aware of the conditions in your parking lot, on your sidewalk and near your entryway.
2. Consider Holiday Safety
Winter safety hazards can happen inside of your property too. While you’ve probably prepared your tenants by sending out a reminder newsletter about holiday safety, actively monitoring the situation is wise too.
· Check your own decorations: Building decorations should be non-conductive, non-combustible and flame retardant. Holidays lights should be turned off if they are not under supervision. Further, some festive plants such as poinsettias and mistletoe should not be kept within the reach of children or pets, as they are poisonous and could become choking hazards.
· Monitor tree disposal: Not all tenants will dispose of their Christmas trees properly. Continuously monitor the garbage and recycling bins outside the property and the garbage chutes for scattered trees or tree branches that could pose safety risks to pedestrians or vehicles.
While you can’t directly monitor how safe a tenant’s holiday décor is inside their unit, it is wise to hold an information session on the topic in early December. Follow the session with a written summary of the meeting and important safety points as reminders. This ensures that safety requirements stay fresh in tenant’s minds when they set up their décor and also reinforces that you have taken the necessary steps to protect them.
3. Monitor Room Temperatures
Your building’s vital systems need to be protected from the cold weather to avoid interruptions in service or widespread breakdowns. Unusually cold rooms can destroy equipment, including plumbing and electrical lines, and more.
Plan to regularly monitor the following rooms, especially on the coldest days of the year:
· Electrical rooms
· Generator rooms
· Sprinkler rooms
· Electrical rooms
· Parking garages
Additionally, keep a close eye on your outdoor storage and pipes. Ask tenants to run their water a tiny bit overnight on the coldest days to prevent frozen and burst pipes. On colder nights, bring in anything in outdoor storage that might be damaged by the cold, like fuel for lawn mowers.
4. Train Your Staff
The winter season is also a wise time to update your staff’s training and review important procedures and policies. Schedule fire safety classes and other training sessions that will ensure all staff understand what to do and who to contact in the event of a problem or issue, including additional contact information in case you aren’t immediately available.
Have too much winter property maintenance on your hands? Central Erin Property Management can complete it for you. We’ll treat your property as if it is our own. Reach out to us today for a property management proposal.