Winterizing a rental property in South Jersey

South Jersey winters swing between mild spells and hard freezes, and freeze-thaw cycles are tough on pipes, gutters and driveways. A few fall tasks prevent most of the emergencies we see in January and February.

Heating

• Have the furnace or boiler serviced before the heating season.
• Replace filters and show tenants where they are and how often to change them.
• Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
• Where the landlord supplies heat, New Jersey rules set minimum indoor temperatures during the heating season. A no-heat call in winter is an emergency.

Pipes

• Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, garages, basements and exterior walls.
• Shut off and drain outdoor spigots, or install frost-free hose bibs.
• Show tenants where the main water shut-off is.
• Ask tenants to keep the heat on (not below a reasonable temperature) even when away, and to open sink cabinets on the coldest nights.

Outside

• Clean gutters after the leaves drop; ice dams form on clogged gutters.
• Check the roof, flashing and chimney before storms.
• Seal driveway and walkway cracks before water gets in and freezes.
• Trim branches that could fall on the roof or power lines.

Snow and ice

Many towns require sidewalks to be cleared within a set time after a storm. Make the lease clear about who shovels walks and driveways and who salts steps. In multi-unit buildings, common walks are usually the owner's responsibility.

Vacant units

An empty home is the most likely to freeze, because no one notices the heat failing. Keep the heat on at a safe temperature, check the property regularly, and consider shutting off and draining the water if it will be empty for a long time.

We schedule seasonal tasks for the homes we manage as part of property maintenance, and tenants can reach our emergency line at any time. See also common rental maintenance issues.