How often do you visit your rental asset?
In this blog focussing on how often you visit your rental assets, we shall be covering
- Reviewing why you carry out inspections
- What to look at to prevent expensive damage
- What to look out for which would indicate an issue with the roof
We were shocked last month when all of a sudden, we had snow!
Did you know that snowfall can cause the highest number of insurance claims in rental properties and can be the most difficult to prove? Therefore, it can be a real issue to your asset and could cause your residents undue stress. This is why you should always carry out the basic checks during your regular property visits. That way you can put in place a plan of action to protect against damage in the future.
I am so surprised when owners tell me that a property inspection is just about ‘checking on my resident’. Personally, I find that rather negative. Your resident is paying you for a service, so to have that as the main reason is a bit daft as you are missing out on what you could do for your resident that they would be happy to pay more for.
The owner-resident relationship is a mutually beneficial one – you provide the house, they have a home.
When we carry out property inspections, which we call home visits, of course we are looking out for potential damage like condensation and mould, but in the main we are looking for future problems which would cost you dearly if left…which brings me to snow!
If you are carrying out your own home visits, I would suggest looking out for these elements which will protect your investment
Gutters
These can get clogged with snow and ice and could lead to damage if they overflow or burst. We would normally look out for this in late autumn, when the leaves have dropped. A visual of the gutters, particularly if it’s raining, will highlight any overflow giving you a guide to the area that needs sorting.
Roof issues
A damaged roof can be a very expensive fix and excessive snowfall left on a roof can place undue stress on the structure, which could collapse in extreme circumstances. Here is what you need to look out for:
Sagging ceiling boards
A ceiling sagging under the pressure of weight above is a sure sign your roof is carrying more than it can handle. If the boards, beams, or any other part of your ceiling appear to be drooping, it’s a warning that something is wrong. Outside of heavy snow fall, this could indicate the beams are old and need replacing, or that they’re suffering from rot/
Strange noises
If you hear strange noises coming from above, particularly creaking, this could mean that the beams and rafters in your roof space are under excessive pressure and may be starting to get damaged. If these areas of your roof are visible in the loft, it’s absolutely vital to check their condition. Pay close attention and look out for cracks or other obvious signs of wear.
Cracks in the walls and roof
A roof doesn’t collapse all at once, and many of the warning signs won’t just be apparent in your roof space. If you begin to see cracks and crevices appearing in your walls, then the structure above is suffering under excess weight, and it may be time to act and remove snow from your roof.
Roof leaks
Another clear sign that you need to act is a leaking roof. A roof covered with too much snow will become warped and cracked, allowing snow to drift into interior components of your roof space. As the snow melts, it can leak into the spaces below.
Doors and windows
Are your doors and windows not shutting into their frames properly, or are you perhaps struggling to open them? Whilst this is more commonly due to the cold weather, it could be a sign that the frames have become warped, excessively strained by the weight on snow on the roof above.
If you are concerned about anything I have mentioned above just give me a call. All of the damage mentioned is preventable, but it does need you to look out for issues which could cause a problem going forward.
