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Other parts of the world may have predictable climates and seasons, often with extreme conditions but Britain has its weather. Just this morning \u2013 and I\u2019m writing this in August \u2013 I\u2019ve heard about frosts expected overnight in Scotland. We\u2019ve had a scorching summer, but the bank holiday weekend was a wash-out and now heating boilers are being fired-up.<\/p>\n
We might be used to the varying temperatures, but the very unpredictability of our weather can cause its own problems for the property owner. Be honest, did you check your property for damage after the arrival of the Beast from the East earlier this year? Have you had a look at things after the recent dry conditions? When the wind last tore through your part of the country, did you examine trees and fences, chimneys and roofing materials?<\/p>\n
I find it very frustrating that many people see our weather as a joke or an irritant. When an episode that\u2019s outside the norm has passed, they forget that it could have had lasting consequences. In my opinion, most landlords don\u2019t inspect their properties often enough, and small problems that arise from weather damage can soon escalate. Remember that your tenants are less likely to care about the long-term integrity of your property than you are. Even if they\u2019ve spotted an issue, they might not bother to mention it, especially if they\u2019re moving on. You could be facing void periods with new potential tenants unwilling to rent a property that has obvious structural issues.<\/p>\n
Summer is drawing to a close, but its effects are left behind. After a period of prolonged hot weather, properties shift and settle, and as they do, fissures can open up in walls and around window and door frames. Baking heat can cause older building materials to become brittle, and flashing on chimneys and the pointing between brickwork can fail. Which means that inspecting your property now is a great idea.<\/p>\n
Arrange a good time with your tenants. Explain why you\u2019re coming and what you\u2019ll be looking for. Ask them to tell you about things they may have noticed. Don\u2019t forget to check over any outside spaces as well as the house itself. Gardens, perimeter walls and fencing, sheds, garages, paths and gateways can all be vulnerable to temperature extremes.<\/p>\n
With autumn and winter being the peak seasons for damaging cold, wet and wind, you\u2019ll want to protect your investment by getting the jobs done. But don\u2019t assume you\u2019ll be able to get contractors onto a job straight away. You may have to wait weeks before there\u2019s a gap in your preferred builder\u2019s diary. It\u2019s just another reason to keep on top of the inspections. Smaller issues can be quick fixes you may be able to handle yourself.<\/p>\n
I understand that making a return on property rental involves keeping a close eye on expenditure but don\u2019t allow negligence to erode the value of your capital asset. Avoiding essential repairs will cost more in the long run and reduces your potential rental income. If you check your insurance policies, you could find you\u2019re covered for some of the work.\u00a0 If not, it\u2019s well worth considering changing your insurance.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d like to see more landlords respecting the impact of the British weather \u2013 even with our supposedly \u201cmild, temperate climate\u201d\u2013 and being proactive about inspections and property maintenance. With predictions that extreme weather is becoming more likely, landlords need to be vigilant and well prepared.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Other parts of the world may have predictable climates and seasons, often with extreme conditions but Britain has its weather. Just this morning \u2013 and I\u2019m writing this in August \u2013 I\u2019ve heard about frosts expected overnight in Scotland. We\u2019ve had a scorching summer, but the bank holiday weekend was a wash-out and now heating […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11204,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n