New Horizon Property Mananagment Blog

Practical winter-readiness guidance for apartment residents, manufactured-home residents, and single-family-home renters.

Winter can arrive quickly, bringing freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and strong winds. A little preparation before the first major cold spell can help protect your home, prevent avoidable damage, and keep your household safer and more comfortable. Whether you live in an apartment, a manufactured home, or a single-family rental, the following steps will help you get ready.

Your lease, community rules, and property-specific notices always control who is responsible for each task. If you are unsure whether an item is your responsibility or New Horizon Property Management’s responsibility, contact the management office before making repairs or hiring a contractor.

Start Before Temperatures Drop

Winter preparation is most effective when it is completed before sustained freezing weather. Begin by walking through your home and looking for drafts, plumbing concerns, heating issues, exterior damage, or anything that may become more serious in extreme cold. Submit maintenance requests early so there is time to evaluate concerns before winter conditions make repairs more difficult.

Winter Preparation for Every Home

Test Your Heat

Turn on your heating system before you need it every day. Confirm that warm air is reaching the home and that thermostats, vents, and registers appear to be working properly. Do not wait until the first severe cold snap to report a heating concern.

Keep heat registers, radiators, and return-air vents clear of furniture, rugs, curtains, and personal belongings.

Never use an oven, stovetop, grill, or unapproved portable heater as a source of household heat.

Use only approved space heaters, keep them away from combustible materials, and plug them directly into a wall outlet unless the manufacturer states otherwise.

Help Prevent Frozen Pipes

Frozen plumbing can cause major damage. Keep your home consistently heated, especially when outdoor temperatures fall well below freezing. Never turn the heat off when leaving town.

Disconnect garden hoses and store them for winter when that task is assigned to you.

Keep garage doors closed when plumbing lines are located in or near the garage.

During extreme cold, open sink cabinet doors when needed so warmer indoor air can reach plumbing on exterior walls. Keep chemicals and cleaning supplies safely away from children and pets.

Report unusually low water pressure, visible leaks, or a loss of water immediately. These may be signs of freezing plumbing.

If you will be away, maintain heat and follow your lease requirements for notifying management or arranging for the home to be checked.

Reduce Drafts and Moisture

Close and latch windows completely. Check that exterior doors close securely and that storm windows, where provided, are properly positioned. Do not block required ventilation or permanently attach materials to windows, doors, siding, or trim without approval.

Use bath and kitchen exhaust fans while producing moisture and for a short period afterward.

Wipe up window condensation and report recurring heavy moisture, frost, or signs of leaking.

Maintain reasonable indoor temperatures and airflow to reduce condensation and protect plumbing.

Prepare for Snow and Ice

Know who is responsible for clearing your entrance, steps, sidewalk, driveway, parking area, and other exterior surfaces. Responsibilities vary by property type and lease. Keep a snow shovel and an appropriate ice-melt product available if snow removal is assigned to you.

Move vehicles when required so snow-removal crews can work safely and efficiently.

Follow posted snow-emergency, parking, and street-clearing instructions.

Do not push, blow, or pile snow into roadways, neighboring lots, fire lanes, or areas that block drainage, utilities, meters, or hydrants.

Use handrails and report unsafe exterior conditions or damaged steps and rails promptly.

Guidance by Property Type

Apartment Residents

Keep windows and balcony or patio doors completely closed during cold weather.

Do not obstruct hallways, stairs, exits, utility rooms, or shared mechanical areas with personal property.

Follow building notices regarding parking-lot clearing and vehicle relocation.

Promptly report drafts, plumbing concerns, heating problems, roof or ceiling leaks, or ice buildup near building entrances.

Do not adjust shared-building equipment or enter restricted mechanical spaces.

Manufactured Home Residents

Manufactured homes require special attention because plumbing and utility connections may be more exposed to cold air. Depending on whether you rent the home or own the home and lease only the lot, maintenance responsibilities may be very different.

Inspect skirting for loose, missing, or damaged sections and arrange approved repairs if the skirting is your responsibility.

Keep heat tape, insulated water lines, and utility connections in safe working condition when those items are assigned to you. Do not use damaged cords or makeshift heating methods.

Keep access to utility meters and shutoffs clear of snow and stored belongings.

Secure outdoor furniture, decorations, grills, and other items that may shift or blow during winter winds.

Follow community rules regarding seasonal vehicles, snow placement, street parking, and access for snow-removal equipment.

Single Family Home Residents

Confirm your lease responsibilities for driveway and sidewalk clearing, lawn-irrigation winterization, exterior faucets, and furnace-filter replacement.

Keep the garage door closed, especially when water lines or mechanical equipment are located nearby.

Remove hoses from exterior faucets and protect exterior water connections as directed.

Keep vents, utility meters, exterior equipment, and emergency exits clear of snow.

Report damaged gutters, loose exterior materials, roof leaks, or ice dams rather than attempting unsafe roof work.

Prepare for Winter Emergencies

Severe weather can interrupt travel or utility service. Keep a basic emergency supply kit available and make sure everyone in the household knows how to contact management and emergency services.

Flashlights and fresh batteries

Phone chargers or a charged power bank

Warm clothing, blankets, essential medications, and basic first-aid supplies

Several days of drinking water and nonperishable food

A safe plan for pets during extreme cold

Working smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide alarms; report missing or malfunctioning alarms immediately

When to Contact New Horizon Property Management

Submit a maintenance request as soon as you notice a condition that could worsen in freezing temperatures. Use the emergency maintenance contact only for urgent conditions that threaten health, safety, or the property.

No heat or a significant heating-system failure during cold weather

No water, suspected frozen plumbing, active leaking, or a burst pipe

A carbon-monoxide alarm, smell of gas, smoke, or fire - leave the area and call 911 or the utility provider first when appropriate

Major water intrusion, electrical hazards, or damage affecting safe entry to the home

A blocked required exit or another immediate life-safety concern

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for snow removal

Responsibility depends on the property, lease, and area involved. Management may clear shared parking lots or common walkways at some properties, while residents may be responsible for private steps, entrances, sidewalks, driveways, or parking spaces. Review your lease and property notices for the rules that apply to your home.

What temperature should I keep my home

Keep the home warm enough to protect plumbing and comply with your lease. Conditions vary by home and weather, so a single thermostat setting cannot guarantee that pipes will not freeze. Never shut the heat off during winter, including while you are away.

What should I do if I think a pipe is frozen

Stop using the affected fixture and contact New Horizon Property Management immediately. Do not use an open flame, torch, or other unsafe method to thaw plumbing. If water is leaking, follow emergency instructions and shut off the water only if you can do so safely and know the correct shutoff location.

Can I install plastic, heat tape, or other winterizing materials

Contact management before permanently attaching materials, altering the home, or working on plumbing or electrical components. Approved temporary window-film products may be permitted in some homes, but lease terms and property requirements vary.

What if I am leaving for several days

Leave the heat on, make arrangements for the home to be monitored, and follow any lease requirement to notify management. Do not rely on a neighbor alone to handle a maintenance emergency. Make sure management has current contact information for you.

A Little Preparation Makes a Big Difference

Preparing early helps protect your home, your belongings, and the entire community. Review your lease, complete the tasks assigned to you, and report concerns before they become emergencies. New Horizon Property Management appreciates every resident who helps keep our apartments, manufactured-home communities, and single-family homes safe throughout the winter season.