Preparing Your Rental Property for Christmas: A Landlord's Guide

As the holiday season approaches, it’s important for landlords to get their rental properties ready for any challenges that the festive period may bring. With contractors often taking time off, and tenants potentially going away, preparation is key to ensuring that your property stays safe and any urgent issues can be managed smoothly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your rental property for Christmas, keeping both your tenants and your property protected.

1. Check Your Contractors’ Holiday Availability

The first step is to contact any contractors you regularly use—such as plumbers, electricians, and handymen—to confirm their holiday working hours and call-out charges. Many contractors may take a break over Christmas, which could impact response times for repairs. Ask about any additional holiday charges and response times for emergencies.

If your contractors are taking time off, make arrangements for any planned maintenance work to be completed or wrapped up by the end of November. This ensures that your property is in the best condition before holiday availability becomes limited.

2. Communicate With Your Tenant: Will They Be Home or Away?

Check in with your tenant to find out if they plan to be away during the Christmas period. If they will be leaving the property for an extended time, work with them to secure the property:

• Heating and Water: Advise them to keep the heating at a low level to prevent pipes from freezing. Confirm that they know how to turn off the water supply in case of any issues.

• Security: If the tenant is comfortable, offer to make an additional security check during their absence, or have an agent to do this on your behalf. Ensure that all doors and windows are secure, and advise them to use light timers if possible to make the property appear occupied.

• Mail and Deliveries: Encourage them to arrange for any packages or mail to be collected if they won’t be home, as a build-up of packages could signal to others that the property is unoccupied.

3. Provide Tenants With Emergency Contacts

If your tenant will be staying in the property over the holiday season, make sure they have direct contact details for any emergency contractors. Let them know they can reach out if urgent repairs are needed while you are unavailable. However, it’s essential to set boundaries:

• Emergency Repairs Only: Clearly communicate that any repair costs will only be covered by you if they are truly an emergency. Define what qualifies as an emergency (e.g., burst pipes, heating failure in severe cold, or electrical issues). For non-emergency repairs, inform the tenant that they may be liable for the call-out charge if they go ahead with a contractor. It helps to have a clause in your tenancy agreement to reiterate this across the year not only in the festive season.

4. Finish Planned Work by the End of November

With many contractors reducing their availability or taking a break over Christmas, it’s wise to have any necessary planned maintenance or repairs wrapped up by late November. Consider any annual checks, such as:

• Heating System and Boiler: Ensure the boiler and heating systems are in good working order before December, especially if it’s due for a service.

• Gutters and Roof: Check that gutters are cleared and that the roof is in good condition. Winter weather can exacerbate small issues, and repairs may be harder to schedule once contractors become unavailable.

• Alarms and Detectors: Ensure all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly, and replace any low batteries.

5. Set Clear Expectations for the Holiday Season

Once you’ve made preparations, set clear expectations for the holiday period. Let your tenant know any dates when you may not be available and the steps they should take if an emergency arises. Reiterate the importance of keeping the property secure, especially if they’ll be away, and outline your contractor’s contact details if needed.

6. Offer a Friendly Reminder

Finally, keep things positive and friendly. A simple seasonal message wishing them a happy holiday and reminding them of these preparations can be helpful. Include a list of who to contact in an emergency, and thank them for their cooperation in keeping the property safe over the holidays.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure a smooth and stress-free Christmas season for both you and your tenants. A little planning can go a long way in reducing the likelihood of holiday headaches and unexpected repairs, allowing you to relax and enjoy the festive season as well.