Spring Cleaning: Seasonal Maintenance for Landlords

Regular maintenance visits go a long way toward protecting your rental unit(s). You can’t fix issues you don’t know about, and small annoyances can become major costs over time. Why not get ahead of potential problems by conducting seasonal maintenance checks?

In this article, we’ll outline specific indoor and outdoor tasks landlords should complete during spring to keep rentals in bloom for years to come.

Spring Interior Maintenance Checklist

After you’ve given your tenant(s) proper notice that honors the?covenant of quiet enjoyment, head inside the unit to begin your inspection. Start with the most common issues:

• Poorly performing air conditioning unit/system
• Dirty air filters clogging the HVAC system

To check the HVAC system,?Angi?suggests:

• “Testing [the] air conditioning to ensure that cool air is flowing
• Changing your HVAC air filters
• Inspecting [the] air ducts for a buildup of?mold, allergens, or other debris and cleaning them out
• Looking for signs of moisture in [the] basement or crawl spaces, as they can indicate issues that a professional should address”

If you don’t feel comfortable tackling these check yourself,?find a reliable handyman in your area?to help.

Next, move up to the attic and work your way down. Starting with your attic or upper crawlspace, be on the lookout for signs of pests, including disrupted insulation or areas of discoloration. Contact a pest control company if need be. Next, examine the rafters – if any are sticking through the insulation, feel free to add more. Finally, look for “discoloration, cracks, and other signs of water damage, leaks, or mold in your attic and on ceilings and walls,” Angi says.

Once you’ve checked off everything on the interior to-do list, it’s time to head outside.

Spring Exterior Maintenance Checklist

Winter storms can wear away even the most pristine exteriors. That’s why inspecting key outdoor areas for damage can help you nip structural issues in the bud.

Angi?recommends checking:

• The roof and gutters.?Clear any fallen leaves or debris to make sure everything can drain properly. If you see anything more serious, like missing shingles or loose chimney bricks, don’t hesitate to call in a professional.
• The windows and doors.?Who can resist an open window when spring air comes calling? Make sure the caulking/weather stripping is in place, reinstall screens as needed, and lubricate all those hinges and tracks.
• The lawn or garden.?Shore up any shrubs or trees that have overgrown, inspect outdoor sprinkler heads, and verify your watering schedule.
• The deck or patio.?Repair and replace any damaged decks, railings, and steps to keep your outdoor spaces safe. If you’re planning to?market your rental during busy season, now is a great time to touch up the paint, stain, or wood finish outside.
• The siding and foundation.?Keeping a close eye on the perimeter of your rentals helps spot potential costly damage as early as possible. To that end, pressure wash the siding and soffits along with clearing debris from the foundation vents and ground-level window wells as applicable.

Pro Tip:?Aren’t sure when to bring in an expert? Angi says any cracks in the foundation larger than a dime warrant a specialist.

Rental Maintenance Tips for Spring

If you’re looking to go beyond the basics, the experts at?HGTV?and?Family Handyman?compiled a list of tasks all landlords should consider:

• Probe the wood trim.?Take a screwdriver and probe any wood trim around the unit’s windows, doors, and railings/decks as applicable.
• Check the power equipment.?If you provide yard tools or take care of yard maintenance yourself, it’s best to check your tools at the start of the season.
• Prevent mosquitoes en masse.?Low areas can become a breeding ground for insects after any precipitation, so fill those spots in with compacted soil! Also, drain any lingering pools from snow melt or rainfall.
• Keep an eye out for termites.?From March-June, these wacky wood-chompers are at their peak – so watch out for winged insects flying out of holes in the woodwork.?

Did You Know?: If your rental is plagued by insects like ants or black flies, there are?natural bug repellents?you can use to keep everything in tip-top shape.?

To further protect your rental properties,?sign up for TurboTenant’s free property management software today! Our all-in-one platform has the marketing, lease creation, rent collection, and maintenance messaging you need to streamline your rental property business.