After a hard winter, spring is the best time for rental property owners to get ahead of maintenance. At Hileman Real Estate, we work with long-term rental owners and understand the importance of proactive seasonal upkeep. Here are our top tips to help you prepare your rental property for the busy spring and summer seasons.
Spring Prep Tips To Protect Your Real-Estate Investment
Vacancy gaps and unexpected repairs can quickly cut into your rental income. Follow this guide to make sure your long-term rental is in great shape, keeping your tenants happy, preventing emergency repairs, demonstrating reliability to your clients, and extending the life of your systems.
Schedule Maintenance Services for Rentals
- HVAC: Changing filters, adding coolant, and making sure air conditioning units are operating properly to avoid peak-season breakdowns.
- Plumbing: Run water tests to check for leaks or slow drains to suss out moisture issues that could do long-term damage.
- Appliance: Test and inspect kitchen and laundry appliances and light fixtures, ceiling fans, and bulbs to make sure they are operating safely and efficiently.
Refresh Exterior Surfaces and Landscaping
- Pressure wash siding or exterior areas of the house, walkways, or patios to remove winter buildup.
- Schedule weekly landscaping services, and refresh mulch, plants, or garden areas.
- Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts for signs of wear, because well-maintained exteriors can help justify competitive rental pricing and reduce turnover.
Safety Check to Stay Compliant with Standards
- Protect your real-estate investment with a simple check of batteries in smoke or carbon monoxide detectors.
- Confirm fire extinguishers are present and up to date, and offer replacements if needed.
- Check door locks or smart lock batteries.
- Confirm that any local licensing and rental insurance requirements are up to date.
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For guidance on managing your long-term rental property, contact Hileman Real Estate.