Every time spring arrives, it’s that time of the year for landlords to do outdoor maintenance tasks that are important for your rental property.
Regular spring maintenance can help you keep your rental looking its best! And great curb-appeal can also inspire tenants to care for the home. It may also help extend the life of your fixtures and features; reducing the chance of unexpected breakage and leading to additional problems.
Spring cleaning might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With a bit of planning, you'll be able to focus on the areas that need attention most, and stay on-task.
It's a good idea to begin by completing an inspection of the property, inside and out, to determine what needs to be completed and then create a list based on priority. As I have managed my own properties for years, the first thing to do is to inform your tenants of the intent of spring cleaning and maintenance.
Curb appeal and Yard Maintenance - April showers bring May flowers, and downed tree limbs could bring unpleasant surprises! Trimming back trees and tall shrubbery will not only help to improve your rental's curb appeal, it's an important safety precaution as well. A properly pruned tree is less likely to sustain damage during a storm, and you'll reduce the chance of precarious limbs falling and causing damage -or worse yet, seriously injuring someone. Finally, get rid of all trees and branches that are too near the home.
Roof and Gutters - Most roofs will last 20-30 years when cared for properly. Taking the time to inspect the roof and repair any loose shingles will go a long way towards extending the life of the roof and preventing leaks -which can cause costly water damage and mold growth. Be sure to clear the gutters of debris and replace any cracked or leaking gutters or downspouts. You may want to consider adding extenders to your downspouts, so they don't empty right next to the foundation.
HVAC Systems - Having a working HVAC is a necessity. If tenants clean or replace their air filters regularly, it will keep the unit in good working condition. Filters should usually be replaced once a month. Make sure it's running optimally by having it professionally serviced once a year.
Chimney Cleaning - Chimney sweeping companies often have long waiting lists in the late summer and early fall, so if the home has a chimney, it's best to get it cleaned and inspected early in the season. Not only will cleaning remove creosote buildup to prevent chimney fires, but it will also clear out any other fire hazards, like bird or rodent nests. If the chimney was damaged during the winter, you'll have time to get it fixed; masonry work requires time to cure, and getting it done earlier in the year allows time for the job to be properly done.
Interiors - Tenants should be keeping the interior of the home clean, but it's a good idea to do a once over to make sure that none of the appliances, floors, walls, or plumbing fixtures require repairs. Just make sure you give your tenants adequate notice before entering, usually 24 hours is required in most states -but longer notice is always welcome.
Do It Yourself or Hire a Property Management company?
A landlord can save a lot of money by doing the work themselves with spring cleaning and maintenance, but sometimes the better solution is to give your rental investment into the hands of professionals, especially the big things that may be beyond the realm of your expertise. For example, cleaning the roof or gutters, pruning tall trees, or anything that involves electricity can be dangerous and are best handled by experts in the field.
Here at Richey Property Management we have a team of professional property managers and contractors with years of knowledge in the field of inspections, maintenance and repairs, so we will handle your spring cleaning routine with ease, care and peace of mind for our clients. Additionally, we can also tackle all of the other tasks involved in overseeing a rental as well, including marketing, leasing and tenant screening, rent collection, and more -so you can sit back and relax, without having to sweat the small stuff.
If you’re overwhelmed by spring cleaning routine of your rental home, give us a call today and we will handle the rest!
