​Unless you live in a tropical locale, there is no avoiding the fact that you will have to take the necessary steps to prepare your rental property for when the temperature drops below freezing. After all, bitter cold and falling snow often show no mercy and have the potential to inflict a lot of damage to your property. Need a little help getting started? Well, then, have a look at our list of the top things every property owner needs to do to get their rental properties ready for the treacherously cold winter season.

Have a plan for snow removal
You should have your sidewalk clear of snow and ice as it can result in tenant injuries from slips, trips, and falls. The rental lease should state who is responsible for snow or ice removal as per city ordinances and local laws – you or your tenant. In case your tenant is responsible for the snow removal, you must make sure that they are updated on the proper techniques as well as local laws regarding snow shoveling, ice melt applications, and snow disposal. To ensure adequate and quick snow removal, on the
other hand, you are better off hiring a professional snow plowing agency.

Make sure outdoor lighting is adequate at night​
Outdoor lighting not only beautifully illuminates your property but also provides safety and security. Installing outdoor safety lights is an excellent way to make sure that your tenants stay safe and don't fall or trip on ice during the harsh winter nights. Being able to see is something so fundamental to safety, especially at the dark and bleak winters, that it’s surprising anyone would choose not to care about installing high visibility LED lighting at their property.

Check heating systems​
Inevitably, heating systems never fail when being lightly utilized in the warmer months. They tend to break down when the coldest of temperatures hit. This causes an emergency for not only tenant livability but even spreads to the potential for freezing
pipes and subsequent flooding. To aggravate the problem, most heating contractors are at their busiest when those cold snaps hit. This creates enormous scheduling issues to get systems repairs in a timely fashion. Get routine heating system maintenance checks scheduled proactively in the fall and avoid the stressful instance of a heat failure at the height of angry winters!

Wipe windows to prevent mold buildup
Window condensation can get so annoying – it blocks the outside view, drips on the sill, and creates a wet mess. But did you know that if left unchecked, it can also turn into mold and mildew? So, you (and tenants) must keep windows clean at all times – even a
simple wipe whenever you see condensation building up can help.

Closing thoughts​
Winterizing your rental property is all about planning and being prepared. By being proactive, landlords can reduce the risk of unhappy tenants, costly repairs, and being negligent. Need a helping hand when it comes to preparing your property for the winter season? You can trust the team at Frontier West to handle winter checklists to prepare your property for the freezing cold weather.
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​Frontier West Properties is a fully-licensed and insured property management company serving the Flathead Valley. We are proud to support the commercial, residential, HOA, and property maintenance needs of our customers in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Whitefish, Somers, and Lakeside.
For more information, call 406.249.3257 or visit our website at www.frontierwestmontana.com

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are creating a new challenge for property owners. Earlier this year, the number of ESAs surged across the United States.  While support animals can be a true benefit to those with mental disorders "giving companionship, stability, and structure to those who need it most," this concept is being abused by many who use this term loosely to keep their pets close. 

As a property manager, ESAs can be a gray area and a difficult new landscape to navigate. This article discusses what to pay attention to so you don't get into hot water with a tenant.

You'll learn:

• How Service Animals are defined by the ADA
• How the Fair Housing Act comes into play
• What a legitimate Emotional Support Letter looks like
• How to  identify a scammed certificate

Not all property management companies are created equal, and there are a lot of companies to choose from. How do you know which one is the right fit? Each boasts different strengths and skill sets, but there are a few key considerations when selecting a partner to manage your investment.  As a local company, we prioritize our relationship with owners, tenants, and the community to  consistently be both professional and personal, while securing peace of mind for all parties.

A recent article describes three key qualities to look for in a property management company that we are proud to align with:

Transparency
Without trust, the business relationship just won't work. "It's [...] important to ask to speak with current and former clients to get a better understanding of the transparency of the organization."  Take the time to get to know your property manager in person before taking the leap.

Maintenance Capabilities
Maintenance can be one of the biggest expense that a property owner will encounter -  "it's also the biggest potential pitfall if mismanaged." Finding a property manager with a solid understanding of the construction industry and and one who can support general maintenance needs in short order can save time and money. 

Limited Scope 
Be weary of side businesses.  When looking for a good fit, find a property manager who is all in. "Real estate agents, brokers, and even contractors will often attempt to add a property management practice to their core business model.  [...] If  If a company is not exclusively focused on managing rental property, then they likely will not be the best option for you to hire."

For access to the full article, click here. 
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It's 2019! The good news?  Technology has allowed us to improve efficiencies, making the consumer experience much easier for many industries. The bad news? The rental industry is still catching up.  For renters, frustrations like waiting on hold to hear back from an owner, waiting in the office to meet with a property manager, mailing paperwork, and dropping off checks at various locations should be a thing of the past.  Owners experience similar struggles with an outdated system such as manual processes for background checks, paper leases, and depositing checks.

Whether you're an owner looking to provide a seamless experience for your renters, or a renter hoping to step into the future of the rental industry, be on the look out for these three key components that will make your experience more efficient:

1. Self-service online leasing
   
2. Resident and owner online portal
3. Online monthly rent payment platforms
   

There are a variety of web-based platforms that can be used. To learn more, click here.

Perhaps one of the most important things that property management companies do is manage the tenant acquisition and selection process.  Each company has their own vetting process, and while no screening process is fool-proof, the time you take up front is well worth the effort to avoid a poor tenant selection.  If you use a property manager, we've got you covered.  If not, take a look through this article for some great tips on how to:

• Abide by Fair Housing laws
• Choose a tenant with good credit
  
• Perform a criminal background check
  
• Select an applicant with clean rental history
  
• Trust your instincts
  

Tenant screening and acquisition is no time to gamble.  Though the process may seem meticulous, it will have been time well spent for both you and your tenant.

You're away from your rental for the weekend and get a call from your downstairs neighbor, "there is water coming from our ceiling and dripping into our living room. I think we can hear water running in your apartment." 

Life happens - it's that simple. As a renter, what are you responsible for? What is your owner responsible for? What would renters insurance cover if you were found to be the reason for damage to another renter's space? What would be excluded?  Renters need to be savvy in today's market. This article describes all you need to know (and what you're too embarrassed to ask) about renters insurance. 

More questions? Give us a call. We help renters navigate all sorts of renter challenges and let you know where you may be exposed to risk you aren't aware of.