Seasonal Maintenance for your Rental Property: Preparation for Cold Winters and Hot Summers

As the seasons change, so do the needs of your properties and your tenants. When it comes to extreme heat or frigid cold temperatures, each can come with its challenges, so seasonal maintenance is needed to ensure your properties are in top condition year-round. If you utilize a reliable and professional property management company, they may have you covered, but just in case, it is important to discuss the precautions that they take so you can be sure your property and tenants are ready for any weather that may come along.

Preparing Your Property for Winter

Depending on where your property is located, temperatures can dip below freezing, so proper precautions need to be taken to safeguard your home and your tenants.

1. Inspect Heating Systems: Have a professional come out to your property to check out your current heating system to ensure that it is functioning efficiently and reliably so that you don’t risk the chance of a breakdown in the middle of winter.
2. Gutter and Roof Maintenance: This task maintains importance year-round, but cleaning out gutters and inspecting roofs for any damage or leaks is especially important for winter. Clearing out gutters of any debris can help prevent collections of water which lead to ice damns and can then result in leaks. Addressing any roof damage can also help prevent the possibility of leaks and interior water damage.
3. Prepare the Outdoors for Any Winter Storms: Hire a lawn service to trim back bushes and trees, and have tenants bring in or secure their outdoor furniture in preparation for any storms that may occur. It’s also important to drain any irrigation systems and insulate any exterior exposed pipes to prevent them from bursting.
4. Seal Up Gap: Gaps in doors and windows can result in serious heat leaks causing your heating system to work twice as hard which also means an increase in power bills. Be sure to seal those gaps properly well before those temperatures begin to drop.
5. Clean Out Those Chimneys: Have a professional come out to clean the chimney and fireplace flue so that it is ready for use.
6. Prepare for Snow Removal: If you have apartments as a real estate investment, schedule a service in advance to come out and clear out any blocked driveways, parking lots, and walkways to ensure safety and accessibility.

Preparing your Property for Summer

Ensure that your home and AC unit are fully prepared to take on the heat of summer, here’s how:

1. Inspect Air Conditioning Unit: Just as important as heating unit inspections, your air conditioner should be inspected by a professional to ensure efficiency and that any maintenance can be addressed before those temperatures begin to rise.
2. Pest Control: As it begins to warm up, pests make their way into and around the home. Taking the proper precautions by having a professional come out and spray regularly will prevent any infestations in your properties.
3. Check up on Insulation: As mentioned above, proper insulation is critical to maintaining the home’s indoor temperature and ensuring that your AC unit doesn’t have to work too hard to keep the home cool and comfortable. Inspect insulation and upgrade as needed.
4. Pool Maintenance: Ensure that the pool filter is functioning as intended and that the pool is clean and ready for summer. If you own a multifamily property that has a pool, be sure that safety signage is properly displayed and visible and that any gates or locks are functioning.
5. Lawn Maintenance: Temperatures begin to rise and plants and grass begin to make their comeback from their winter slumber. One benefit of including lawn maintenance with your rental property is regular visits the home to keep up the lawn and plants. This is just one of several curb appeal ideas we recommend.
6. Seal the Gap: Keeping up with those gaps in any windows or doors also benefits you in the summer as it prevents cool air from escaping and helps to keep pests from sneaking into the home.

Taking a proactive maintenance approach will ensure that your residence is in great condition year-round, that your tenants and home are safe, and that your property retains its value over time.