Prepare Your Holiday Let for Winter: Expert Advice

As the days grow shorter and winter’s chill approaches, it’s essential to prepare your holiday let for the winter. At Cottages on the Coast, we understand the importance of ensuring your coastal retreat remains cosy and secure during the winter months. To help you get your holiday let winter-ready, we’ve assembled a comprehensive guide of winter maintenance tips.

Keeping your holiday let warm and cosy

During the winter, your property may experience extended periods of vacancy and exposure to harsh weather conditions. To safeguard your investment, it’s wise to take preventative measures to winterize your holiday let. These simple steps will not only protect your property from potential winter damage but also save you from unnecessary expenses.

Heating and ventilation

• Proper ventilation is key to preventing humidity buildup, which can lead to mould and damage. Allow airflow by keeping interior doors open.
• Install bathroom extractor fans with humidity sensors or portable dehumidifiers to control moisture.
• Maintain a low constant, economical temperature with energy-efficient heating systems to prevent excessive moisture buildup.

Insulation

• Adequate insulation retains heat and improves energy efficiency. Consider insulating your property’s walls, attic, and exposed pipes.
• Add insulation sleeving to exposed pipes and water tanks to prevent freezing and potential damage.

Draft proofing

• Cost-effective draft-proofing measures can keep your property warm and reduce energy bills.
• Use draft excluders on external doors to prevent cold drafts from entering.
• Apply caulk or weather strips to cracks and gaps in windows and doors to maximize indoor comfort and prevent window rot.

Shielding your holiday let from winter’s elements

Winter storms and water damage are year-round concerns, but they become particularly critical during the colder months. By combining the following essential precautions, you can ensure your coastal holiday let remains safe and well-maintained throughout the year, especially during the winter season.

Flood prevention

• Evaluate your property’s location and vulnerability to floods. Prepare a flood plan if necessary.
• Sign up for flood warning systems to receive early notifications of potential flooding.

Snow and ice readiness

• Have salt or grit ready for snow and ice to keep paths and walkways safe.

Winter roof maintenance

• Regularly inspect your roof for broken tiles or missing slates that may cause leaks.
• Check roof flashings, cowls, and joints around chimneys and vents.

Secure windows and doors

• Ensure windows, skylights, and doors are properly secured to prevent water leaks.

Secure outdoor items

• Store outdoor furniture and loose garden items in a garage or shed.
• Check the maintenance of outbuildings, sheds, garages, gates, and fencing to withstand winter conditions.

Prune trees and foliage

• Trim overhanging branches near your property to eliminate potential hazards during adverse weather.
• Maintain hedges and shrubs to prevent damage to buildings and cables.

Weather alerts

• Stay informed about incoming storms and adverse weather conditions with a weather alert system on your smartphone.

Prevent burst pipes and water damage

• As the temperature drops in winter, there is an increased risk of frozen pipes which can cause them to rupture and burst. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to prevent potential issues and inconveniences from occurring. Leaving the heating on low in your property and wrapping exposed pipes with sleeving is a great way to avoid problems happening.
• When your holiday let is unoccupied for extended periods, reduce the risk of water damage by turning off stopcocks, emptying pipes, and draining heating systems.

Clear gutters and drains

• Check gutters, eaves, and soffits for damage and leaks.
• Remove debris from drains, gutters, and downpipes to prevent flooding or damp. If drains and guttering become blocked, it can create a whole host of problems including ice dams, where water from melted snow refreezes in the gutters and seeps in under the roof, soaking interior walls.

Additional winter maintenance

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate all risks, there are steps you can take to minimise potential damage during the winter months. Consider scheduling a chimney sweep to prepare your fireplace for the colder season, ensuring it’s free from soot buildup and obstructions. This should already be included in your annual Fire Safety maintenance routine for the property.

Additionally, it’s crucial to conduct a fuel check, especially for properties reliant on oil heating, to guarantee an adequate supply throughout winter and to schedule a boiler service to prevent heating issues. Lastly, conducting regular property maintenance checks can help identify and address potential issues that may lead to damage during the winter season. You can read more about general holiday let health and safety in our guide here.

Making your holiday let welcoming for winter guests

As the temperature drops, it’s not just about safeguarding your property from the elements; it’s also about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your winter guests. Here’s some suggestions to ensure your holiday let remains a cozy and memorable getaway for guests during the colder months:

• A Warm Welcome – Leave the heating on or set it on a timer for your guests’ arrival, ensuring a warm and inviting atmosphere.
• Provide Emergency Contact Details – Guests should know whom to contact in case of damage during their stay. For Cottages on the Coast properties, all these details are included in the virtual property guide; with a laminated summary sheet of contacts also in the property.
• Leave a Starter Pack – Consider including logs and firelighters for a fireplace where applicable, along with essentials like tea and coffee.
• Ensure Technology Works – Guests are more likely to be spending time indoors when the weather is cooler. Make sure amenities like Wi-Fi, TVs, and DVD players are functioning, and provide clear instructions.
• Get festive! – If it’s coming up to Christmas then consider decorating your property for the season. Make sure to let us know so we can advertise this as many guests look for this as an additional feature around the festive season.

At Cottages on the Coast, we offer various service options tailored to your needs. With our full management package, our local team is here to support you in preparing your holiday let for winter. From winter checks to insurance policy compliance and damage prevention, we’re your trusted partner in ensuring your North Devon coastal getaway remains safe and welcoming all year long.

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