Even though Austin winters are typically mild, landlords and property managers shouldn’t overlook the importance of preparing properties for colder weather. Sudden cold snaps, like Winter Storm Uri, have shown that Texas homes can be vulnerable to winter without proper precautions. That said, knowing how to winterize a rental property can help you prevent damage, protect your tenants, and ensure your property stays in good condition. Read along to learn why it’s essential to winterize a property, even in Austin, Texas.
What Does It Mean to Winterize a Rental Property?
Winterizing a rental property is an essential maintenance task for landlords and property managers, especially in cold or snowy areas of the US. Even though winters in Texas are milder, Austin area property management companies still recommend taking precautions to protect your investment.
That said, winterizing involves preparing the property to withstand cold weather and prevent issues such as frozen pipes, roof leaks, HVAC problems, and safety hazards.
Typically, when you winterize a rental, you’ll do things like insulate exposed pipes, seal any drafts, service the HVAC system, and cover outdoor spigots. That said, it’s important that landlords don’t forget about vacant properties, as these should be winterized, too. For vacant rentals, you may want to drain water lines, shut off utilities, and set the thermostat to a reasonable temperature.
Do You Have to Winterize a Rental Property in Texas?
Technically, there are no laws regarding winterizing rental properties in Texas. However, it’s highly recommended, as it would be anywhere else. For instance, while there’s no state mandate requiring landlords to insulate pipes or prepare for freezing temperatures, landlords are still legally responsible for maintaining a safe and habitable living environment under the Texas Property Code.
Now, yes — Texas winters are usually pretty mild. However, we can’t forget about events like Winter Storm Uri, which dumped record amounts of snow on Texas in 2021. This is exactly why it’s important to take some extra measures to protect your property during the winter months.
Taking simple steps to winterize your rental, like insulating pipes, sealing drafts, and ensuring your HVAC system is working properly, can help protect your tenants and your property.
How to Prepare Your Austin Rental for Colder Months
Although Austin typically has a mild winter, unexpected cold fronts and freezing temperatures can still cause severe damage to unprepared properties. As a landlord, taking proactive steps to winterize your rental can help you avoid expensive damages, ensure your tenants' safety, and maintain compliance with habitability laws.
Some of the best ways to prepare your Austin rental for winter include the following.
Inspect and Insulate Pipes
Prepare Your HVAC System
Seal Air Leaks or Drafts
Protect Outdoor Areas
Educate Your Tenants
Inspect the Roof and Attic
Create a Winter Emergency Plan
Inspect and Insulate Pipes
Even in warmer states like Texas, exposed pipes can still freeze and burst during cold fronts. Because of this, it’s important to inspect areas like attics, crawl spaces, and garages for plumbing systems that may be affected by cold weather. If any pipes are exposed, wrap them with foam insulation or heat tape, and install covers on outdoor faucets. These simple steps can save tons of money in water damage, which nobody wants to deal with.
Prepare Your HVAC System
Before temperatures drop, make sure to schedule an HVAC inspection to ensure the heating system is functioning correctly. During this time, you’ll want to change or clean the air filters, test the thermostat, and make sure all vents are open and nothing is blocking them. Remember, a well-maintained HVAC system improves a home's energy efficiency and reduces the risk of emergency maintenance.
Seal Air Leaks or Drafts
If there are any gaps or cracks around windows and doors, it can lead to heat loss and high utility bills. So, use weatherstripping and caulk to seal any leaks that allow cold air in. Also, install door sweeps to block drafts at exterior doors. If there are any drafty windows in the property, consider using window insulation to keep cold air out. Not only do these actions make the property more energy efficient, but they also ensure your tenants are comfortable during cold months.
Protect Outdoor Areas
Cold weather can damage exterior fixtures and landscaping. That said, it’s important to clean the gutters and downspouts to prevent overflow and ice buildup. Additionally, make sure any outdoor furniture that could be damaged or blown around by storms is covered or taken inside. If the property has a pool or irrigation system, make sure it’s winterized or shut down properly as well.
Educate Your Tenants
Communication is key for any landlord-tenant relationship. If you want your tenants to care for your property just as you would, give them the tools to do so. This may be a checklist that includes steps like keeping the thermostat at a minimum temperature, dripping faucets during freezes, or keeping cabinets open near pipes. Along with that, make sure they know how to report maintenance issues quickly and where to find emergency contacts if they need them.
Inspect the Roof and Attic
As we touched on above, your roof and attic play a major role in protecting the property during winter weather. So, make sure to inspect the roof for missing or damaged shingles, soft spots, or any signs of leaks. With that, check the attic to ensure the insulation is good and that there are no signs of moisture or heat loss. Checking on these things helps keep warm air in and cold air out during the winter months, and reduces the risk of water damage.
Create a Winter Emergency Plan
While you may think that you’re in the clear in Texas, extreme weather cases like Winter Storm Uri show that even Austin isn’t immune to serious winter threats. People may not be used to handling large storms, so giving your tenants a winter emergency plan can go a long way. Let them know what to do if the power goes out or pipes freeze. Give them a list of emergency contacts, instructions for shutting off water, and tips for staying warm during a brutal storm.
Protect Your Property With Professional Management
No matter where you are in the United States, knowing how to winterize a rental property is an essential maintenance task for landlords and property managers. Taking the time to properly prepare for colder months can help prevent property damage, protect your investment, and ensure your tenants are safe and happy.
If you’re a rental owner near Austin, Texas, working with a trusted property management company like Stone Oak can give you peace of mind year-round. Our team of reliable property managers can help keep your tenants and properties well cared for. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive services.
