November in Chicago means a lot of different things. There is Chicago Bears football, the Blackhawks season starting, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and the beginning of the end of year holidays; but also the beginning of the winter season. Going in to the winter, now is the perfect time to check any investment rental property one last time going in to the winter. For property managers, owners, and tenants now is the time to find any doors or windows that are leaking air, furnaces that are not working efficiently. Whether you are managing properties in the Chicago area or a tenant in a Chicago area rental property, here is what to look for before the winter really sets in.
Windows and Doors: Over time, windows and doors can shift or become damaged. These shifts or problems with the windows or doors can lead to the windows and doors leaking cold air in to the apartment raising the heating costs or causing drafts in parts of the unit. There are lots of simple fixes for minor leaks in windows or doors, but for more major issues, now is the time to make sure that a plan is in place to get the window or door replaced or repaired.
Heating System: If the heating system in the rental unit has not been tested going in to this winter, now is the time to test it. Make sure that when the heating system is turned on, things heat up within the unit in a reasonable time frame and there are no major problems with the heating system itself. If there are any issues, get a professional maintenance team on it right away. Keeping the heating systems up and running are important not only for the tenants safety and satisfaction, but also protect an investment property from potentially catastrophic damage resulting from frozen pipes.
Outdoor Areas: With the cold weather, ice and snow are always a possibility. Do not wait until the first snow to purchase the necessary supplies and tools to handle it. All tenants of single family homes should know what parts of the property they are responsible for maintaining. This will make it easier for the tenant to prepare for the cold weather and determine what supplies they will need. Regardless of how much a tenant is responsible for maintaining, it is always a good idea for every tenant to have a shovel and some salt in case of emergency.
If you are feeling unprepared for the upcoming winter, please call the Letts Property Management maintenance team for ideas on what to pick up now or to take advantage of our winter services. If you are currently managing properties throughout the Chicago-land area and still in need of unit inspections, call 630-324-4267 ext 107 to inquire about getting a winter property inspection.
