Whether you’re applying for financing or getting property insurance, short-term rental properties are often categorized differently from other properties, including long-term rentals, which are homes rented out for 30 days or longer. As a result, short-term rentals have different rules governing them and must specify with their insurer that their property is going to be used for nightly accommodation. Although there is often a premium cost associated with this type of insurance, it is certainly better to pay slightly more for insurance that will have you covered when you need it, rather than paying for something that could likely end up being deemed completely useless by the insurance agencies. There are various minor details associated with nightly home management that Whistler Vacation Homes is well equipped to advise and assist with.
Winter-Proofing Your Whistler Home
Winter temperatures are slowly starting to creep in. For homeowners or property managers, this is the time to ensure each vacation home is ready to brace the cold. Here is a short-list of some of the basic precautions to take in order to prepare your property for winter:
Basic Precautions:
- Keep home temperature above 13°C or 55℉ through the winter
- Detach any exterior hoses or other similar utilities from your property and store indoors
- Turn off hose bibs that have an internal water control
- Keep your room doors open to allow warm air to circulate throughout the house
- Ensure pipes in crawl space, car port or around the exterior of the property are properly insulated to prevent freezing and potential bursting
If your home is going to remain empty for an extended period:
- Shutoff water supply to washing machine(s) and dishwasher when possible
- Open cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around pipes in kitchen and bathrooms
- Unplug electrical devices – small kitchen appliances, TV’s, alarm clocks etc
Additionally, make sure windows and doors are sealed properly. If your home is a bit older, windows are likely overdue for re-caulking or you could replace your windows altogether. That said, replacing windows can be quite expensive, re-caulking is a much more affordable option and is part of regular home maintenance over the years. There are many little tips and tricks to improve energy efficiency that Whistler Vacation Homes can help with. Homes can become between 5-30% more energy efficient by taking certain measures to properly winter-proof and insulate!