Guide
Winter-proofing a short-term rental in Québec
In winter, a frozen pipe or an exit blocked by snow can close a unit or hurt a guest. Six points, done before the first frost and then all winter, cover the essentials. Every number comes from an official or recognized source, listed at the bottom of the page.
Winter at a glance
| Item | When | If skipped |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor taps | Before the first frost | Water freezes in the tap and the pipe bursts inside the wall. |
| Exposed pipes and water inlet | In fall, then in deep cold | A frozen pipe, then a burst one. Water damage, unit closed, neighbours affected. |
| Heating and thermostats | Before the heating season | Cold guests and complaints, or a unit left too cold between stays. |
| Entrances, exits and balconies | After every snowfall | A blocked emergency exit, a fall on ice, a guest who cannot get in. |
| Humidity and condensation | At every departure clean | Fogged windows, mould on frames and caulking. |
| Empty units | Before any gap without bookings | A leak that runs for days before anyone sees it. |
01
Outdoor taps
Before the first frost
The City of Montréal recommends shutting off the water to outdoor taps and unscrewing garden hoses before the first frost. The damage often only shows in spring, when the tap is opened again and water runs into the wall.
What to do Close the indoor valve for each outdoor tap, open the tap to drain it, remove the hose.
02
Exposed pipes and water inlet
In fall, then in deep cold
Pipes along exterior walls, in crawl spaces and in garages freeze first. The City of Montréal recommends insulating them with foam sleeves, keeping the air around the water inlet at 10 °C or more, and keeping access to it clear. In deep cold, leaving cabinet doors open lets warm air reach the plumbing.
What to do Insulate exposed pipes, find and clear the water inlet in each unit, and note where it is for the cleaning team. A tap that barely runs probably means a frozen pipe: act right away.
03
Heating and thermostats
Before the heating season
CAA-Québec suggests 20 to 22 °C in living areas. Between stays you can lower the thermostat, but not too far: CAA-Québec recommends at least 10 °C during a long absence. A wood or propane fireplace also needs its chimney outlet kept clear of snow and ice (Government of Québec).
What to do Check every thermostat and baseboard heater, clean the heat pump filter, and set a minimum temperature between stays. With any fuel-burning appliance, one CO alarm per floor.
04
Entrances, exits and balconies
After every snowfall
The City of Montréal asks residents to clear the entrance, all emergency exits, windows and balconies down to the street. In a short-term rental, guests often arrive at night, with luggage, somewhere they do not know. A keypad lock under ice or a slippery stair quickly becomes a ruined stay.
What to do Put snow and ice clearing in writing, with a time limit after each snowfall. Also check that snow is not blocking the chimney outlet or outside vents.
05
Humidity and condensation
At every departure clean
CAA-Québec recommends 30 to 40% relative humidity in winter. Above that, water condenses on cold glass and mould sets in. Guests who cook and take long showers without the fan running push humidity up fast.
What to do A hygrometer in every unit, read during the clean. Check that the range hood and bathroom fan work, and note any window that streams in the morning.
06
Empty units
Before any gap without bookings
An empty unit has no one to notice a leak or a heating failure. CAA-Québec recommends at least 10 °C during a long absence, and some insurers advise 13 °C and closing the main water shut-off. The City of Montréal recommends having a trusted person check in regularly.
What to do Set a minimum temperature, shut off the water if the unit will sit empty for long, schedule regular visits, and check your policy's conditions for an unoccupied home with your broker.
When to do it
Before the first frost
Outdoor taps shut off and drained, exposed pipes insulated, water inlet located, thermostats and filters checked, snow clearing contract confirmed.
All winter
Snow clearing after every snowfall, humidity read at every clean, cabinets open in deep cold, regular visits to empty units.
The fall list takes one visit per unit. The rest fits into the departure clean routine.
Free
The upkeep calendar, as a spreadsheet
Six items, their frequencies, and the status of every unit: overdue, due soon, OK.
The real problem: knowing what was done
Shutting off an outdoor tap takes two minutes. Knowing in January whether it was done in every unit is another matter, especially when several people work in the same units.
That is why we built AirXperience: every unit has its list, and every job is checked off by the person who did it, with the date. What is left to do shows up before the first frost, not after.
Get your exact priceCommon questions
What temperature should an empty rental be kept at in winter?
Never below 10 °C, according to CAA-Québec. Some insurers advise 13 °C: check what your policy requires.
Should the water be shut off in an empty unit?
For a long gap without bookings, closing the main shut-off limits the damage if a pipe fails. Keep the heat on anyway.
What humidity level should I aim for in winter?
30 to 40% relative humidity, according to CAA-Québec. Windows that stream in the morning mean the air is too humid.
Sources
- City of Montréal: tips to prevent frozen pipes (French)
- CAA-Québec: frozen pipes, what to do and how to prevent them (French)
- CAA-Québec: temperature and humidity variations (French)
- City of Montréal: what to do in a major winter storm (French)
- Government of Québec: preparing for extreme winter conditions (French)
- Government of Québec: precautions for winter storms and freezing rain (French)
- Chubb: tips for protecting a vacant home (French)