The air is crisp, and pavements and paths are covered in blankets of leaves.
The change in season is a good opportunity to give the outside of your property the once over before winter properly arrives, in anticipation of maintenance issues that need addressing.
From how to replace fence panels following a storm to safely clearing out the gutters, in this blog we take a look at some common seasonal maintenance jobs, and how to deal with them.
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How to: Fix broken fence panels
Strong winds and storms are common at this time of year. As a landlord, it’s a good idea to make sure loose items at the property are secure, including garden furniture and wheeled bins, or indeed ask your tenants to do this.
But what can you do if a storm has already taken hold, and a tenant gets in touch to say a fence has broken? As a landlord, it is your responsibility to maintain the exterior of the property.
It’s important to deal with this issue promptly if you can, not least because a broken fence could be a security issue depending on where it is and the state of the damage.
You may decide to call someone out to fix the issue, but if you want to do it yourself then this helpful video will walk you through what to do. You’ll learn how to remove damaged fence panels and fence posts, and easily fit in new ones.
How to: Clear the gutters
Not only are blocked gutters unsightly, but they can damage the structure of a property. Tell-tale signs that a gutter is blocked include plants growing inside the gutter and water spilling over the side. This video will show you how to safely clear the gutter, if you choose to do the job yourself.
How to: Care for your lawn in winter
At this time of year the garden may not be at the forefront of your mind, but paying attention to your lawn this winter could save you work further down the line.
To prepare your lawn for winter, you can start by removing any dead leaves, and applying moss killer to areas that are prone to becoming covered in moss and raking this up. There are also things you can do to improve the drainage of the lawn, and this useful video will explain how.
How to: Secure your property
According to recent data from the ONS, around 64% of burglaries take place when residents are at home, and with the clocks having gone back recently and it starting to get darker much sooner these days, it’s a good time to be thinking about the home security at your rental property. This video will explain some of the solutions you could consider.
How to: Protect your home against water damage and flooding
As mentioned earlier in this article, clearing out the dead leaves in the gutters is important. If there is excess water in the gutter and this freezes over, then dangerous patches of ice could form. As well as clearing the gutters you may wish to consider using a debris guard to keep the downpipe nice and clear and protect from water damage. Inspect the windows of the property and check for any gaps in window seals. You can use a silicone-based sealant if you need to fill in any gaps. Watch this video for some more hints about preventing water damage at your property.