Fall in Missoula can be beautiful — colorful leaves, crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, and cooler evenings. But Montana weather doesn’t always give you much warning before those cool nights turn into freezing temperatures.
If you rent a home or apartment in Missoula, September and early fall are good times to take care of a few simple tasks before the first freeze arrives. You don’t need to winterize the property yourself, but there are things you can do to protect your belongings, stay comfortable, and identify potential problems before temperatures really start dropping.
Here are seven things Missoula renters should do before the first freeze.
1. Make Sure Your Heat Is Working
Don’t wait for the first truly cold night to discover that your heat isn’t working properly.
Before freezing temperatures arrive, turn on your heat and make sure the system responds as expected. Depending on your rental, you may have central heating, baseboard heaters, wall heaters, or another type of system.
Give the home some time to warm up and pay attention to whether the temperature changes appropriately.
Know What’s Normal When You First Turn On the Heat
If your heating system hasn’t been used for several months, you may notice a slight dusty smell the first time it runs. However, unusual or persistent odors, strange noises, or a system that doesn’t appear to be producing heat may need attention.
If you believe something isn’t working correctly, submit a maintenance request rather than waiting until temperatures are below freezing.
It’s much better to identify a potential heating issue during a cool September or October afternoon than during a freezing Montana night.
2. Check Your Windows and Doors
Windows and exterior doors can have a noticeable impact on how comfortable your rental feels during winter.
Take a few minutes to check that windows close and latch properly. Make sure exterior doors close securely and look for any obvious issues that might allow significant cold air into the home.
If something appears broken or isn’t closing properly, report it through the appropriate resident maintenance process.
Avoid Making Unauthorized Modifications
You might see plenty of DIY winterization ideas online, but remember that you’re renting.
Before installing weatherstripping, window film, adhesive products, or making other modifications, check your lease or contact your property manager if you’re unsure whether they’re permitted.
There are plenty of renter-friendly ways to keep an apartment warm without making permanent changes to the property.
3. Bring Outdoor Belongings Inside
Don’t forget about everything that’s accumulated outside during the summer.
Look around your patio, balcony, porch, or yard and decide what needs to come inside before freezing temperatures and winter weather arrive.
This might include:
- Outdoor cushions
- Small planters
- Gardening supplies
- Seasonal decorations
- Sports equipment
- Children’s toys
- Grilling accessories
- Other weather-sensitive belongings
Freezing temperatures, moisture, ice, and snow can damage items that were perfectly fine sitting outside all summer.
Secure Items You Plan to Leave Outside
Some outdoor furniture and other belongings may be designed to stay outside throughout the winter. If you’re leaving something outdoors, make sure it’s appropriate for winter conditions and properly secured.
Fall and winter weather can bring wind along with snow and ice, so lightweight items shouldn’t be left where they could blow away or create a hazard.
If you live in an apartment community, be sure you’re also following any community policies for patios and balconies.
4. Get Your Vehicle Ready for Colder Weather
Your rental isn’t the only thing that needs some attention before a Montana winter.
If you have a vehicle, fall is a good time to start preparing it for colder temperatures.
Consider checking your:
- Tires and tire pressure
- Windshield wipers
- Windshield washer fluid
- Battery
- Antifreeze/coolant
- Headlights and brake lights
You may also want to put together a basic winter emergency kit for your vehicle.
Put Together a Montana Winter Car Kit
Winter weather can be unpredictable, particularly if you’re traveling outside Missoula.
Useful items to keep in your vehicle might include an ice scraper, snow brush, gloves, blanket, flashlight, phone charger, jumper cables, and other basic emergency supplies.
If this will be your first winter in Missoula, preparing your vehicle early is one of the easiest ways to avoid scrambling once the first significant snowfall arrives.
5. Know the Rules for Snow and Ice at Your Rental
Snow removal responsibilities aren’t necessarily the same at every rental property.
At some apartment communities, snow removal from common areas may be handled by property management or a contracted vendor. At other properties, residents may have certain responsibilities.
Your lease and community policies should explain what applies to your rental.
Before winter arrives, make sure you understand what you’re responsible for and what is handled for you.
Know Where You Can and Can’t Park During Snow Removal
If you live in a larger apartment community, there may also be procedures residents need to follow when parking lots are being cleared.
Pay attention to notices from management during snow events and move your vehicle when requested so snow removal crews can do their jobs effectively.
Understanding the winter policies for your rental community before the first major storm can make snow days easier for everyone.
6. Prepare for Freezing Temperatures if You’re Traveling
Planning a fall getaway or heading out of town for the holidays later this year?
Cold weather changes what you should think about before leaving a rental home unattended.
One of the most important things is to never turn your heat completely off during freezing weather.
Maintaining adequate heat helps protect plumbing and the property when outdoor temperatures drop.
If you’re going away for an extended period, review your lease for any requirements related to extended absences.
Don’t Forget About Packages and Mail
If you’ll be away, consider what will happen to packages, mail, and other deliveries.
Packages sitting outside for days can make it obvious that nobody is home. You may want to pause deliveries, hold your mail, or arrange for someone you trust to collect items while you’re gone.
Our holiday travel checklist for renters can help you prepare before leaving your Missoula rental during colder months.
7. Know How to Report a Winter Maintenance Problem
The middle of a winter emergency is not the ideal time to figure out who you’re supposed to contact.
Before temperatures drop, make sure you know how to submit a standard maintenance request and how to report a genuine maintenance emergency.
Save important contact information somewhere easy to find.
Know What’s an Emergency
Not every maintenance issue requires emergency service, but some situations become significantly more urgent during freezing weather.
A complete loss of heat during extremely cold temperatures, for example, is very different from a minor maintenance issue that can safely wait for normal business hours.
Review your property’s emergency maintenance information so you know what to do if something happens.
Providing clear details when reporting a problem can also help the maintenance team respond appropriately. Explain what’s happening, when you first noticed it, and include photos when they’re useful.
Bonus: Make Your Home a Little Cozier
Preparing for colder weather doesn’t have to be entirely about maintenance.
Fall is also a great time to make your rental feel a little more comfortable for the season.
Bring out the blankets, swap lightweight summer bedding for something warmer, add renter-friendly seasonal décor, and create a comfortable spot to enjoy those colder Montana evenings.
A few simple changes can make your home feel much cozier without making permanent modifications.
Just remember to follow your lease and community guidelines when decorating. Our renter-friendly decorating tips can give you ideas that don’t require putting unnecessary holes in walls or making permanent changes.
What Renters Shouldn’t Try to Handle Themselves
Being proactive doesn’t mean taking property maintenance into your own hands.
Residents generally shouldn’t attempt repairs to furnaces, plumbing, electrical systems, or other major components of a rental property.
If something isn’t working correctly, report the issue instead.
Trying to fix a problem yourself can sometimes make it worse, create a safety concern, or cause damage that could have been avoided.
When in doubt, submit a maintenance request through your resident portal and let the appropriate person determine the next step.
Get Ready for Fall and Winter in Missoula
Montana winters are much easier to handle when you prepare before the temperatures drop.
You don’t need to do everything in one day. Start with the basics: test your heat, check your windows, bring in outdoor belongings, prepare your vehicle, review snow policies, and make sure you know how to report a maintenance problem.
A little preparation now can help make the transition from fall to winter much smoother.
If you’re currently looking for a new place to call home, you can also browse our available Missoula rentals to see apartments, townhomes, and rental homes currently available through Missoula Property Management.