

As temperatures start to drop and the weather gets harsher, if you haven’t done so already, now is the time to check that your commercial property is winter-proof.
Here is our checklist to ensure your investment is ready for winter:
Check the roof. Look for missing or slipped tiles. Ideally, check the inside of the roof while it is raining to make sure it is fully waterproofed and there are no leaks. That way, any urgent maintenance issues can be addressed,
Is yours an empty property?
As well as taking all the steps above (except point number 12) there are additional activities you will need to carry out if your property is unoccupied.
You will already be aware that as part of your buildings insurance cover, you need to keep your property well maintained. If your property is empty, then typically you will have additional obligations you will need to fulfil in order to keep your insurance cover valid.
These obligations vary depending on the policy provider and the circumstances surrounding why the property is empty (for example, may be it is undergoing refurbishment or awaiting sale / a new tenant), so check your policy documents. Typically, you may need to:
Hopefully these tips will help you on your way to making sure your property comes out unscathed after winter. For further tips, please refer to this RICS article.
Finally, don’t forget that we can help and advise you on any aspect of managing and maintaining your commercial property,so please feel free to contact us – we will be very happy to help.