Winter is a unique time of year when it comes to avoiding liability on your community property. Particularly if your community is located in a part of the country that sees a good amount of ice, snow, and freezing temperatures, there are considerations you need to make throughout the cold weather season to keep your residents and their guests safe, as well as keep yourself safe from liability should an injury occur.

First and foremost, taking care of your landscaping and surfaces is paramount. When snow falls, clear walkways, driveways, and parking lots often and as quickly as possible. Residents will still need to come and go, and they'll need to be able to do so safely. Once snow is cleared, or any time moisture is expected while temperatures dip below freezing, lay down salt to keep ice from forming.

The winter season is also a dangerous time for trees, which can then create dangerous situations for residents. Any fallen branches that break under the weight of snow, ice, or wind, should be cleared from walkways and parking lots as quickly as possible. Branches that appear weak on trees should be professionally removed, whenever possible, before they're given the opportunity to break.

Avoiding liability isn't just about taking care of the outdoor parts of your property, but your residences as well. Before winter each year, take the time to inspect gutters, roofs, and attics in your residences, making sure that the harsh winter weather won't leave your residents dealing with missing shingles, flooded properties, or chills coming in where they shouldn't.

The winter season is also the ideal time to schedule plumbing and heating inspections. A burst pipe during a freezing spell can be dangerous and cost residents their property, while a faulty heating system can leave them in hazardous cold conditions. To ensure these issues won't arise when you least expect them, and to avoid this type of liability, be proactive about the health and status of your heating and plumbing throughout the winter season.

At OccupancySolutions.com, we know that community management teams, first and foremost, want to keep their residents (and residences) safe and happy. To learn more about how you can avoid liability on your property, contact us today.