I have a cornucopia of memories of holiday family gatherings. Many begin with me standing on the thawed porch near twilight at my aunt’s and uncle’s house. Their gift for hospitality extends to details that often go unnoticed: the walks are always cleared, driveways empty so we have places to park, and my aunt always runs an orderly kitchen, even if it is a bustling and busy one.
Now, think about this—your tenants are likely hosting friends and family for the holidays. And if they are not instinctively attentive to such details, a cooking fire can occur or someone may be injured on the icy front steps. So, what can you do to encourage their safety and ensure your property doesn’t get damaged during the jolly season? Pay close attention to these 10 areas:
Trees
There is no time like the present, pun intended, to check your trees. It may seem expensive to hire this service, but one storm can cause even more costly damage and may create additional hardship if you have to move your tenants out. As tree trimming can be dangerous, we recommend hiring a certified arborist. The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) has a search tool on its main site, www.tcia.org. TCIA also runs www.treecaretips.org, where the organization offers ways to identify “at-risk” trees, fight common pests and more. Another good resource is the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). You can learn more about proper tree care at www.treesaregood.org, a site that ISA hosts.
Parking
My aunt and uncle live in a condo near a historic outdoor shopping area in Kansas City. Part of their street has a steep hill, and there are very specific areas where parking is allowed and also where it is safest, especially in icy weather. Familiarize yourself with state and city parking laws: Are there any areas in the neighborhood where it’s illegal or unsafe to park? Your local Department of Transportation can help you navigate these parking issues. For example, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has a specific page on its website dedicated to answering the question “Can I park there?”
Include guidelines for parking in your lease, making sure that your tenants are aware of the locations where holiday guests are encouraged to park, especially if they will be there for several days. In addition to including the details in your lease, sending a nice reminder note before the holiday frenzy begins will encourage them to do this correctly.
Sidewalks and Steps
My grandmother set a good precedent for our family gatherings. Her front walk and steps were always in good shape for a visit, and the stair railing was always well secured. One of the most common liability claims at an investment property is a “slip and fall.” You will want to make sure that your liability coverage has a high enough limit, but more importantly, preventive maintenance can keep an injury from occurring on your property in the first place. Specify in your lease who is responsible for clearing walks and driveways in stormy weather. If the job will fall to your tenants, educate them about the risks of not keeping up with this innocent task. Do they want their best friend to end up with pins in his ankle?
The Roof
Inspect your roof’s condition. Any buckling or broken shingles will need to be replaced to keep water from coming inside. To prevent ice dams, you will also want to make sure your attic is properly insulated. The Ice Dam Guys’ site has a Learning Center (www.icedamremovalguys.com/learning-center/) that points out the five telltale signs of ice dams and also has information about how to safely remove snow from your roof. If a large snowfall occurs, contact your tenants quickly. You don’t want them up on a dangerous roof—injuries from roof falls can be severe or even fatal.
Outdoor Lights and Decorations
Many people still hang outdoor lights along the roof’s edge during the holidays. Using the proper height or kind of ladder can keep your tenant from becoming one of the 90,000 people who will receive ER treatment because of a ladder-related injury this year (Consumer Product Safety Commission). Did you know that there’s an American Ladder Institute? The ALI is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved developer of ladder safety standards. Check out “Ladders 101” or “Basic Ladder Safety” in the Safety and Training area of its website, www.americanladderinstitute.org.
Heating and Fireplaces
More house fires occur in the months of December, January and February than at any other time of year, the National Fire Protection Association reports, and many of those fires are caused by heating appliances. Don’t be lazy in maintaining your HVAC system. Dust buildup is a fire hazard. HVAC systems should be cleaned at least twice a year. Ensuring your tenants have proper heat can also keep them from using the stove or other dangerous methods to stay warm.
If you have a fireplace in any of your properties, have the chimney inspected before your tenants use it each year. The creosote, or residue buildup inside your chimney, is highly combustible. If it builds up enough and the internal temperature is hot enough, it could start a chimney fire, says the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Search for a CSIA certified professional and learn more about chimney care on its website, www.csia.org.
Cooking
It is easy to get distracted while entertaining guests, so remind your tenants of safe cooking practices. Cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires, according to the NFPA. The NFPA has a variety of tip sheets to pass along to your tenants on its website, www.nfpa.org. NFPA has done all the work for you— just print or email!
You may also consider purchasing a product called StoveTop FireStop. When the wick of this product is ignited, the small can releases a fire suppressant right over the pan, putting out the fire. A product like this can reduce the cost of a kitchen fire from tens of thousands of dollars (or even a total loss) to under a thousand dollars. Read the full review and find a link to purchase StoveTop FireStop in the Products section of the Affinity Loss Prevention Services website, www.affinitylps.com/product-reviews/stovetop-firestop/.
Rodents, Pests and General Cleanliness
Maintaining the interior of your property actually begins during tenant placement. One way to find out how a prospective tenant will treat your property? If there is something that you need the tenant to sign, turn that into an opportunity to visit the person’s current residence. Even if you aren’t able to view the inside, the outside of a person’s house can be a good indicator of the care he or she invests there.
As for rodents and other pests, be on the lookout for holes or cracks that a critter can crawl through. Did you know that mice can enter through a hole the size of a dime? If you haven’t already re-sealed the windows and doors this season, get caulking!
Candles and Indoor Decorations
Decrease the risk of fire from an unattended candle by encouraging tenants to use battery-powered ones. Many candles on the market today imitate the natural light of a flame without the fire risk. The NFPA also recommends placing trees and other decorations 3 feet or more from fireplaces and other heat sources. Check light strings for signs of exposed wires or other signs of deterioration, and avoid linking too many strings of lights together. Keep it to three for “mini-string” sets and 50 lights if using a string with screw-in bulbs.
Plumbing
Investing in an area where it never freezes? Your plumbing system will still need attention. Water heaters require annual maintenance. Draining the tank once a year to remove sediment and replacing the anode rod before it fails can slow down corrosion inside the tank and extend the life of the water heater.
For colder climates, pipes near exterior walls will need to be insulated. Teach your tenants to be proactive in keeping the pipes from freezing when a cold snap is forecast: they should open cabinet doors below the sink and keep faucets on a slow drip to keep the water flowing through the pipes. Lastly, if any of your properties is vacant during this season, shut the water off at the street and drain the system to avoid any pipes bursting or vandals causing additional damage while going after copper pipes.
Want More Help?
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