Australian properties have to certainly beat the heat in summer, but landlords also need to consider prepping their properties for winter; otherwise, they could lose freezing, unhappy tenants and their cash flow. Here are some not commonly thought about tips investors can take on board to warm the hearts of their tenants.
With winter finally managing to find its way into the weather after an extended summer, it is definitely starting to get chilly, with nearly 7 per cent of deaths from 1988 to 2009 in Australia happening during cold weather, as opposed to less than 1 per cent during hot weather.
Disgruntled tenants who stay cold for too long might decide to pack their bags and head to someplace warmer, freezing your cash flow solid.
However, here are a few renovation tips investors may not be aware of to warm their property up, and by doing so, will keep that cold hard cash coming their way:
By using double glazed windows, properties can retain heat better, as regular windows are more susceptible to heat loss.
“Windows are one of the most critical elements that contribute to the temperature inside the home,” said Christine Evans, marketing director at Stegbar.
“Double glazed windows improve the comfort of your home and ensure that the home remains perfectly comfortable during winter.
“The sealed air (or gas-filled) gap between the two panes of glass acts as an added layer of insulation. This extra insulation lessens your reliance on heaters, ultimately reducing your energy bills and improving your home’s energy rating.”
By ensuring existing window furnishings, blinds and curtains are enhancing the insulation of existing windows, Jenny Brown, national marketing manager for Luxaflex Window Fashions, said that landlords can provide an energy-efficient property, which can be appealing for tenants to cut down on their electricity bills.
“Insulation is key to maintaining room temperatures, and a few small changes can help your home be more energy-efficient and keep bills down,” Ms Brown said.
By insulating window coverings, temperature can be more easily regulated during daytime hours, too.
“During the day, your windows let in more radiant energy than gets out; sunlight can enter through the glass, but the window is opaque to the infrared radiation trying to escape,” the marketing manager said.
Having properly fitted doors with sealed frames ensures that tenants can enter your property without bringing the winter chill behind them, thus creating a cosy environment.
Athina Solomou, director of marketing at Corinthian Doors, emphasised the cost-effectiveness of door-based insulation.
“Home energy ratings are becoming increasingly important and your doors and frames shouldn’t be an afterthought from a design and energy-efficiency perspective. Drafts from around doors can account for a quarter of heating and cooling bills, so it’s worth spending the extra money on solid doors and frames which seal effectively,” Ms Solomou said.
Information source: Real Estate Business Bulletin
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