5 reno tips for rentals
Summer is here and there’s no better time than the present to get your property ready for the cooler months
Own a rental property but not sure what you need to do to meet the new healthy homes standards? Following these five steps will help you meet the standards and will also help your property last longer, be more secure, need less long-term maintenance and attract tenants who want to look after it. The important thing is to make sure you have a plan in place, so check the dates opposite to ensure you’re on track.
1 Think ahead
At the start of the summer holidays, probably the last thing you want to be thinking about is the arrival of cold weather! But this is the best time of year to install heat pumps and other fixed heating sources, which will soon be mandatory in all rental properties. Some heating installers offer great deals on heat pumps in the weeks leading up to Christmas so pick up the phone now and get some quotes for a heat pump to suit your space. Heating the living room can make a big difference to your tenants’ health. Knowing you’re thinking about them in advance of winter may make them more likely to stick around.
DID YOU KNOW? If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and help tenants use it e iciently.
2 Hot property
A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and other nasties taking hold. Your property will retain heat better – a dry house is a warmer house. Think of insulating as an investment in the longevity of your property and its ability to attract long-term tenants, as visible mould is an easy way to drive tenants away. Ceiling and underfloor insulation became compulsory for all rental properties on 1 July, 2019, so if you haven’t already organised this, it’s time to get it ticked off the to-do list.
TIP Save time and money by putting your underfloor insulation in at the same time as your moisture barrier (if you need one for the moisture ingress and drainage standard).
3 Deny the damp
The subfloor: if there is space under your house, it’s the surface you’d walk on if you went down there. If your rental has one of these and it is enclosed, then a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so. A ground moisture barrier (generally a
polythene sheet which can be bought from most hardware stores) is there to block the moisture in the ground from rising into the property, and also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation. You can install it yourself or use a building professional. TIP Check your pipes are in good nick and get any leaks under the house fixed right away.
4 Already a fan
It’s important to keep warm air inside during winter, but it’s just as vital to get damp air out because dry air is easier to heat. A wellventilated rental is also less susceptible to rot, as well as being a lot healthier and more pleasant for your tenants.
It’s important to make sure each liveable space (spaces where people spend time – you don’t need to worry about hallways, for example) has an openable window or door to allow air to circulate. Kitchens and bathrooms need to have an extractor fan to push damp air, from cooking and showering, outside.
TIP Ensuring windows can be fixed in an open position is a legal requirement which also makes it easier for your property to be well ventilated.
5 Mind the gap
If you can feel a draught from a gap or hole in your property then it needs to be sealed. A draughty home costs more to heat, as well as feeling less homely. This is an easy way to keep your property warm and secure, while making your tenants happier.
TIP If an open fireplace isn’t in use, it can cause draughts – so it needs to be blocked o .