From the outside to the inside, how your property presents to prospective tenants is priority one.
It’s that time of year again, when winter winds turn into spring breezes and landlords put on their garden hats, grab the hoe and shovel, crank up the lawn mower, and get that rental property in tip-top shape. After all, the best tenants want the best landlords.
Spring maintenance is a must if you want to attract (and keep) the best tenants. And spring is the perfect time to assess repairs, upgrades, and improvements you can complete between now and summer.
Let’s start with the exterior.
Take a walk around the entire property to gauge the full extent of winter damage. As you walk, check these areas:
- Roof – You don’t have to climb a ladder to see roof damage. Missing or broken shingles are usually visible from the ground.
- Gutters – Ice, snow, and heavy rain are hard on gutters, and any leak you see should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent damage to the siding or erosion around the foundation.
- Walkways -Cracks can create further erosion and need to be repaired. They also affect how the property looks to prospective tenants.
- Exterior Walls – Look for cracks or rotted wood; wood siding is prey for carpenter ants; if you’re lucky, a coat of paint may be all you need.
- Foundations – Now is the time to repair any foundation problems, as declining foundations only get worse over time and can be very expensive.
- Windows – Window sills and glass should be checked and any breakage fixed. Cleaning is a must-do. Sparkling clean windows inside and out make a big difference.
- Lawn and Garden – Spring is the best time to prune back any branches that threaten to block windows or overhang the roof.
What does the interior need?
Winter damages on the interior are easily spotted, and your prospective tenants will probably let you know. It’s best for a landlord or property manager to do a quick walkthrough to check a few things:
Roof or siding leaks on the inside – This could range from soggy drywall and mold to warped flooring or damaged electrical fixtures, which can also be dangerous.
Floors and carpet – Most tenants want to move in to a property with fresh, new carpet. At the very least professionally clean all the floors and carpet before anyone moves in.
Air conditioners and HVAC units – Make sure the units are in top condition. Turn on the unit(s) and check for cooling. Also this is a good time to replace the filters.
Check for pests. Be on the lookout for termites, cockroaches, and rodents. If the property has been vacant for long, these critters are probably still around.
Create your list and schedule
Some of the repairs may require immediate attention, so get those underway. Then make your itemized list of other repairs needed and prioritize by amount of time needed to complete. Also priorities may change as the weather gets warmer, so best not to procrastinate. If you put things off, problems could be much worse next spring.
When all is said and done
If you find yourself a bit overwhelmed with all there is to do, call Cousin James Management and let us do the heavy lifting. We’ve been helping property owners for years who realize that the time they spend maintaining their property is too demanding.
We have teams of professionals who handle just about any kind of maintenance or repair you can imagine. And we do much more, such as finding quality tenants for you, screening them, and even collecting the rent for you.
Enjoy the springtime doing the fun things you like and let Cousin James Management take care of your property management. Get in touch.