Important Holiday/Winter Prep Tips for Your Rental Home

Winter is here in the New River Valley and all of us at Townside want to set you up for success by helping you avoid costly maintenance calls due to colder temperatures and winter weather - especially while you are traveling for the holidays.  Take 5 minutes to read and implement these suggestions - you'll be glad you did when you hear about your neighbor's pipes freezing and resulting in a hefty repair bill! 

Before submitting a work order in AppFolio, check with other occupants of your residence to make sure it is not a duplicate request. Be sure to read the helpful troubleshooting hints in your Blue Book “Lease Addendum B” to avoid possible resident charges.

• Snow Removal:

If we manage your townhouse or condo association, we have contracted for snow removal. Please be patient; our contractors respond as quickly as is humanly possible. If you lease a single family home, you will be responsible for all snow removal and possibly sidewalk shoveling for the town if a sidewalk exists on your lot frontage. Haymarket Square and Oak Manor tenants are responsible for shoveling all stoops and walks. Residents are responsible to explain to guests where they can park.

• Outside Fixtures (water faucets/hoses, etc.):

If you have an outside water faucet, make sure all hoses are disconnected before cold weather. You also need to turn off the inside cutoff valve (if equipped), open the outside spigot and drain all of the water. Then leave the outside spigot open to keep the pipe dry during the cold months. There is also a vinyl cap of insulation foam that can be purchased at a hardware store that slips over the outdoor fixture, and protects it from sub-freezing temperatures.

• Protect your Pipes in Low Temperatures:

If the temperature drops below 20 degrees, keep one or two faucets running slowly at all times. Water running through the system will prevent the line from freezing. Keep the cabinet door under the sinks open to allow warm air to flow through. 

• Less Hot Water Might be Normal:

As the weather gets colder, so does the ground water; therefore, you may notice having less hot water. This is normal for the fall/winter months. If a work order is submitted where there is no issue found, it will result in a resident charge.

• Electrical Outages:

If you have an outlet, appliance, or heat pump suddenly turn off, always check your circuit breaker first before calling for service. Make sure you know where your breaker box is located.

• Smoke Detectors:

Don’t forget to check your battery once a month; battery operated detectors have a test button.

• Heat Pump Tips:
• In very cold weather (below 32°F), switch your heat to the auxiliary emergency setting to avoid damage to your heat pump.
• If you have inconsistent heating, vents may be adjusted to change the amount of heat in a room. Never close off more than one vent at a time. 
• If you are having trouble with your heat pump, make sure the outdoor unit is running (not just the fan motor). Be sure to remove the snow off the outdoor unit OR use emergency heat.
• Make sure the fan has not been inadvertently switched to “ON” as this setting has no effect in increasing the temperature in your residence.
• Shut the system off to adjust the temperature; wait five minutes before turning it back on. Adjusting temperatures while the system is running, turning the system on and off rapidly, power surges, or short power failures may cause tripped circuit breakers or equipment failures. 
• Your heat pump has a defrost cycle. Frost is normal to see on the outdoor coil. If you see water vapor or what looks like smoke, the unit is defrosting and is normal. If you have a large accumulation of ice that is not being defrosted, call for service.
• Residents with Heat Pumps check your filter monthly and change as needed.
• Residents with Oil Heat be sure to NOT allow your oil tank to run dry.
• DO NOT TURN YOUR HEAT OFF OR SET THE THERMOSTAT BELOW 60 DEGREES - ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE AWAY!

• Safety Tips:
• Be sure to lock all doors and secure your windows. Make sure any property outside of your unit is secured or locked up (bicycles, automobiles). Do not leave keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats. Set lights on automatic timers, or leave an indoor and outdoor light on. Leave blinds and curtains in normal positions. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your property, if they will be in town.
• Please do not leave messages on doors or voicemail that you are out of town. Be cautious about the information you post on social media about being out of town. Have your mail and paper deliveries stopped. Unplug all of your small appliances. It is always a good idea to take your valuables with you whenever possible.
• Make sure you have an inventory and pictures of your electronic equipment if you are not taking them with you. Empty parking lots are an invitation for break-ins over the holidays. It would be beneficial to you to install a clean HVAC filter if applicable and to check your smoke detector batteries in an attempt to mitigate any possible problems while you are away. 
• To all residents that will be celebrating their holidays in town please call the local police department immediately to report any unusual or suspicious activity. Blacksburg Police Department non-emergency, 540-961-1150, Christiansburg Police Department non-emergency, 540-382-3131, and Radford Police Department non-emergency, 540-731-3624.
  
  
• Bonus Tip: Parking Reminder:

Please make sure you understand the parking regulations in your area. If you are required to have parking decals or hang tags, please make sure you have the current one displayed to prevent towing of your vehicle. If you have any questions, contact our office. Inform your guest about the parking rules!