Photo by Jan Kopřiva on Unsplash
Winter is coming. The leaves have turned and the mercury is dropping. It’s only a matter of time before the village is blanketed in white and you’re popping on your skis or board and heading to the base of the Sunburst Lift.
But before you get in those first turns, it’s important to do some basic winter maintenance on your property — whether it’s a rental or your permanent residence. If you are working with a property management company, review with them who is taking care of what so there is no confusion.
Here are a few pre-winter reminders!
- Service for furnace and gas fireplaces. Did you know that regular maintenance on a furnace can save you as much as 30 per cent? Winter is cold and after a day on the slopes, you don’t want to come home to a cold house! Annual maintenance for both your furnace and gas fireplaces can help keep you toasty for the whole season.
- Who is shoveling snow? This could be tenants, your property management company or you! Whoever it is, make sure there is a plan in place for who is doing it and the frequency. You’re living at a ski resort. We want snow. But you don’t want to get stuck in your driveway or have someone slip and fall on your sidewalk.
- Seals on doors and windows. “Why are we heating the outdoors!?!” Who hasn’t heard that from their mother a time or two. Watch for leaks and make sure your house is sealed up tight from ice and snow. Not only will poorly sealed doors and windows increase your utility bills, but it can also lead to mould and other damage down the line.
If you do have tenants, consider leaving a laminated checklist in a visible spot in the unit with important information regarding the property. This can include when snow needs to be shoveled, the minimum temperature for the thermostat etc.