Get Ready Over The Winter

After a busy season you may be looking forward to a period of rest before the festivities of Christmas are upon you. Together with some rest and recuperation now is the perfect time to review the guest feedback and plan your winter maintenance so you and your property are in the best shape for the next season.

Your guests can be a great source of inspiration and ideas so take care to read and act upon their suggestions, if you do you will reap the benefits of their continued loyalty and your property being their only choice for their Cornish holiday.

Once you have reviewed the guest feedback and sifted through what is essential, a nice to have and not practical you can now look at setting your maintenance programme. This should be split into two sections;

What needs to be done to ensure your property is safe and secure over the winter period.

What needs to be improved for the next letting season.

There is no magic formula for your maintenance programme and each owner and property will have different requirements and priorities, however, below are some suggestions on areas you should be concentrating on;

• Slips, Trips & Lighting
  Check the paths, patios and decking for a build-up of moss, lichen and algae which can often be slippery and make sure you take preventative steps to remove and reduce the risk of slips and trips. Do you have sufficient lighting outside and is this working
• Gardens & Plants
  Check your borders, shrubs and plants and make sure they are in good shape to survive the winter. Check your trees are safe and secure removing any dangerous branches which could cause harm to your guests or to your property.
• Roof & Gutters
  Check for loose flashings and tiles, clean out gutters and downpipes.
• Outside Pipes
  Insulated the pipes, repair/replace dripping taps and disconnect hosepipes and store inside.
• Windows & Doors
  Check for drafts and weather damage and make repairs where necessary.
• Safety Checks
  On top of your annual servicing of your heating and hot water systems make sure your electrical checks are current, your smoke detectors, heat detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order and you have reviewed your fire risk assessment.
• Loft and insulation
  Check that your loft space, water tank and pipes are sufficiently lagged and insulated.
• Chimneys
  If you have open fires or wood burners ensure that you have had the chimney swept at least once a year.
• Programme your heating
  The winter period will be a time of low occupancy so make sure that your heating has been programmed to keep the frost and damp away and to prevent any potential of burst pipes.
• Check your mains water stop tap
  Ensure you know the location of the tap and that it can be turned on and off with ease.
• Furniture
  Check the condition of your furniture to ensure it is still of a standard expected and in a fit condition for its purpose. Make sure your outside furniture has been protected to prevent damage over the winter period.
• Inventory
  Check your inventory and replace any chipped or worn items.

This blog was provided by Cornish Traditional Cottages