With summer’s onset, longer days provide ample opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. For property managers, the season brings unique rental property needs that demand proactive care and maintenance. From keeping your rental’s HVAC systems running efficiently to tending to outdoor amenities, summer property maintenance is essential for resident contentment and property upkeep.
To address the season’s demands, we’ve crafted a comprehensive summer property management checklist. Follow these guidelines to ensure your rentals remain cool, welcoming, and trouble-free all summer long!
Exterior Maintenance
High temperatures can challenge a rental property’s exterior, necessitating diligent maintenance. By conducting seasonal maintenance on critical systems, as listed below, you can prevent minor issues from becoming expensive emergency repairs.
- HVAC System Maintenance: To keep your air conditioning unit functioning smoothly, arrange HVAC system servicing. Remove debris and weeds around outdoor units and regularly clean or replace air filters for efficiency.
- Landscaping and Lawn Care: To ease lawn and landscaping maintenance, initiate a seasonal clean-up. Trim branches near roofs or utility lines and inspect irrigation systems before operation. Aerating your lawn supports robust growth, while scheduling mowing services suited to your lawn type and climate is key. Adding mulch to flower beds preserves moisture and minimizes weeds.
- Roof and Gutter Inspection: Add roof and gutter inspections to your summer maintenance checklist. Look for damaged shingles and consider a professional evaluation. Clean gutters twice yearly, particularly near trees, and check for signs of pests like wasp nests or rodent droppings.
- Pool Maintenance: For rentals with a pool, spa, or water feature, seasonal maintenance is crucial for summer preparedness. Clean winterized pools thoroughly, inspect pumps and filters, and verify safety equipment like fences and gates is operational. Test pool chemical levels weekly and adjust accordingly.
- Outdoor Seating Areas: Cleaning outdoor seating areas is a key summer maintenance task. Thoroughly clean decks, patios, and furniture, and opt for professional power washing for best results. Wash driveways and sidewalks annually to keep them debris-free. De-grease and clean barbeque grills and fire pits to prevent fire hazards.
- Pest Control: Schedule pest control to manage summer pests like wasps, mosquitoes, ants, and rodents. Eliminate standing water to prevent mosquito breeding, maintaining a pest-free rental property’s exterior.
Interior Maintenance
In addition to maintaining your property’s exterior, ensuring the interior remains cool and functional is critical for residents. Below are crucial interior summer maintenance tasks to keep your property a comfortable sanctuary.
- Air Quality and Cooling Efficiency: Test ceiling fans for proper cooling airflow, replace indoor air filters, and clear vents to ensure optimal ventilation. Confirm windows are properly sealed to boost HVAC efficiency and stabilize indoor temperatures.
- Plumbing Maintenance: Alongside heating and cooling systems, plumbing requires regular attention. Check for water leaks under sinks and toilets, test water pressure, and monitor drainage as part of your summer property checklist. Address issues swiftly to prevent costly repairs. Flush tank water heaters annually to remove sediment.
- Electrical Systems: For safety and efficiency, inspect light fixtures, outlets, and circuit breakers, replacing any showing damage. Electrical issues are a leading cause of property fires, so addressing them ensures tenant safety. Switch to LED bulbs and energy-efficient devices to reduce utility bills.
- Safety Devices and Dryer Vents: Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms yearly, replacing batteries. Fire extinguishers need regular inspection and replacement. Clean dryer vents in properties with a washer and dryer to prevent fire risks.
Emergency Preparedness
A vital aspect of property maintenance is ensuring renters are informed and prepared for emergencies. Confirm residents know what to do during a heatwave, blackout, or severe storm.
Provide emergency supplies like bottled water or generators for an extreme weather event. Ensure tenants have a list of local cooling centers and emergency contacts and confirm they can reach you in a crisis.
Effective Property Management Starts Here
Implement this summer maintenance checklist to maintain your rental property in top shape. Proactive property maintenance takes effort; consider partnering with property management experts in Baxter. Real Property Management Deluxe offers tailored services to maximize your property values and improve cash flow. Contact us online or call 218-454-7368 today!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
