With summer’s arrival, extended daylight offers ample prospects for outdoor enjoyment. However, for property managers, the season brings unique rental property needs that require proactive care and maintenance. From keeping your rental’s HVAC systems running efficiently to managing outdoor amenities, summer property maintenance is essential for tenant contentment and property preservation.
To address the season’s demands, we’ve compiled a thorough summer property management checklist. Follow these guidelines to ensure your rentals remain cool, welcoming, and trouble-free throughout the summer!
Exterior Maintenance
High temperatures can challenge a rental property’s exterior, making diligent maintenance vital. By performing 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 optimally, schedule HVAC system servicing. Remove debris and weeds around outdoor units and consistently clean or replace air filters.
- Landscaping and Lawn Care: To streamline lawn and landscaping maintenance, initiate a seasonal clean-up. Trim branches near roofs or utility lines and inspect irrigation systems before use. Aerating your lawn promotes robust growth, while scheduling mowing services tailored to your lawn type and climate is key. Adding mulch to flower beds retains moisture and minimizes weeds.
- Roof and Gutter Inspection: Include roof and gutter inspections in your summer maintenance checklist. Check for damaged shingles and consider a professional evaluation. Clean gutters twice yearly, especially with nearby trees, and watch 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 ensure safety equipment like fences and gates is functional. Monitor pool chemical levels weekly and adjust as needed.
- Outdoor Seating Areas: Cleaning outdoor seating areas is a vital summer maintenance task. Deep clean decks, patios, and furniture, and consider professional power washing for optimal results. Wash driveways and sidewalks annually to remove debris. Barbeque grills and fire pits must be de-greased and cleaned to prevent fire hazards.
- Pest Control: Schedule pest control to manage summer pests such as wasps, mosquitoes, ants, and rodents. Eliminate standing water to prevent mosquito breeding, ensuring a pest-free rental property’s exterior.
Interior Maintenance
Beyond maintaining your property’s exterior, ensuring the interior remains cool and functional is critical for residents. Below are key interior summer maintenance tasks to keep your property a comfortable retreat from summer heat.
- Air Quality and Cooling Efficiency: Test and adjust ceiling fans for proper airflow (downward for cooling), replace indoor air filters, and clear vents to ensure optimal ventilation. Verify windows are properly sealed to enhance HVAC efficiency and maintain stable indoor temperatures.
- Plumbing Maintenance: Alongside heating and cooling systems, plumbing requires regular checks. Include checking for water leaks under sinks and toilets, testing water pressure at faucets, and monitoring drainage in 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 the safety of tenants. Switching to LED bulbs and energy-efficient devices reduces utility bills.
- Safety Devices and Dryer Vents: Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms yearly, replacing batteries as needed. Fire extinguishers require regular inspection and replacement. For properties with a washer and dryer, clean dryer vents to prevent fire-causing clogs.
Emergency Preparedness
A key part of property maintenance is ensuring renters are informed and prepared for emergencies. Ensure 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 can reach you in a crisis.
Effective Property Management Starts Here
Use this summer maintenance checklist to keep your rental property in top condition. Proactive property maintenance takes effort; consider partnering with property management experts in Portage. Real Property Management Greater Madison Metro offers tailored services to maximize your property values and boost cash flow. Contact us online or call 608-310-1290 today!
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