The first day of spring means beautiful blooms and sunny days ahead, but for landlords and property managers, spring also brings spring maintenance tasks for your rental properties. Be sure you have checked these important chores off of your to-do list to ensure your rentals look their best and operate smoothly year-round.
Looking out your window may not show it, but the calendar says spring is just around the corner. As those first rays of sunshine signal true spring weather, there’s no better time to start thinking about caring for your rental property.
Now is the perfect time to start any spring maintenance for your rental properties to ensure that you’ve accomplished all those important tasks before spring fever truly hits. Complete these must-do tasks to get your property ready for your rental. As your tenants gather outside more frequently to enjoy the sunshine, and as those spring blooms come calling.
“property maintenance to dos”
- HAVE THE HVAC INSPECTED: It’s vital to have your property’s heating system inspected, serviced, and cleaned annually, at a minimum (or every other season). During the cold winter, your tenants likely had the heating system working hard. Now is the time to extend the life of your furnace by scheduling proper maintenance. This can postpone an expensive replacement. Now is an excellent time to remind your tenants to change their air filters if they haven’t already. These inexpensive maintenance tasks can prevent major HVAC problems.
- DFW Rent Houses offers a special of only 240.00 for a complete tune-up (including the first pound of freon). If more is needed, it will be billed separately. THIS IS A MUST IF YOUR UNIT IS IN THE ATTIC. Tenants aren’t allowed in the attic due to the risk of falling through the ceiling.
- TEND TO THE ROOF: Your property’s roof is a huge investment. Have a certified roofing professional inspect your roof. Even slight damage can lead to water exposure and deterioration, leaving your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems vulnerable. Currently, I have done all inspections of roofs and will continue after every major hail storm.
Spring-Specific Property Maintenance Tasks:
Check The Gutters
You already know to clean your gutters in the fall, but it’s important to clean them before and after wet seasons. After all, winter storms can bring along loose debris. Please check your gutters and the downspout gooseneck for any debris that could clog them. If it accumulates, moisture can damage the trim and fascia boards, causing up to 1000s in damage.
Clean Foundation Vents
Gutters are not the only victims of winter storm debris; foundation vents may also need attention. These (generally) recessed screens serve as a catch-all for leaves, twigs, and other organic materials throughout the fall and winter. Simply clean the vents by hand or with a shop vacuum.
Address Moisture Buildup
You know that winter and moisture go hand-in-hand, but don’t forget that the child of this coupling can be mold or mildew on your property. Please remind your tenants to check for mold that can build up over the winter due to interior humidity. Please visit the property yourself and verify that there is no mold growth due to heavy rain, and that there are no small puddles in the attic or basement. If you notice a musty smell, you may need a dehumidifier to prevent mold from developing, which can be dangerous or property-damaging. If you find it, please address it promptly.
Boost that Curb Appeal
Spring is in the air, and flowers are in bloom. Make the best of this with some good old-fashioned landscaping. Spring landscaping can include lawn aeration, overseeding, fertilization, and pruning of shrubs or trees. Early spring is also a great time to prune flowering and fruit trees, as they will soon be budding. And, of course, now is the perfect time to plant those eye-catching perennials to ensure your tenants will have an appealing spot to enjoy the sunshine.
Rental maintenance tasks may be a chore, but completing them properly each season will protect your investment. Preventing structural damage, saving energy, and keeping the property’s systems running properly are all benefits of attentive property maintenance.
And ensuring that your property looks appealing and works efficiently will guarantee that your renters
Paint and seal your home
Painting your home before the Spring season is more than just changing the color; the latex in the paint forms an elastic barrier that protects and waterproofs your wood. Additionally, cracks form and then allow mice and other animals, including roaches and bugs, to enter, causing 1000s in damage. It’s highly recommended that this be done every 5 years, as our storms and heat indexes are higher here in N Texas than in most other places.
