Spring Cleaning Your Rental Property
After the last few months of Winter, the upcoming change in seasons is quite welcome. Not only does it mean warmer weather, but it is also an opportune time for Spring cleaning of your rental property. If you are in between leases, take this time to refresh your rental home. You can also work with your tenants if your property is currently occupied to see what times and days work best.
Spring Time Yard Work
As the snow melts, the yard starts to reveal the areas that may need attention. Trim the tree limbs near power lines and any overgrowth that has taken over areas of the yard. By keeping the power lines clear from foliage, the safer your tenants will be while living in your rental property. Additionally, if your property has sprinklers, make sure that they are in good working order. Replace any leaking or deteriorating parts.
Exterior Maintenance
While you are outside, it is a great time to examine the exterior of your rental property. Check the gutters for clogs, as debris can build up, rendering the gutters ineffective. Look for any signs of rotting in the roof, wood trim, wooden steps or deck if your property is equipped. Don’t forget the door mat. It can help to make new prospective tenants feel welcome, as it contributes to first impressions of your rental property. If it needs a little refreshing, you can spruce it up with a little baking soda. Double check your porch lights, which can add a bit of extra warmth, welcoming tenants to their new home.
Spring Interior Maintenance
Moving inside, take a look at your walls, cabinets, and baseboards. Are dust and grime covering them? If so, you can take a dry sponge or rag to clean the dust off of these surfaces. Then, follow up with a little soapy water, scrubbing the walls and baseboards from top to bottom. Don’t forget about the windows and window sills, which will allow the Spring sunshine to fill your rental home with light. While you’re at it, check the seals around your windows, as well as your doors, replacing any deteriorating pieces. Breaks in seals and window screens can let in drafts, as well as insects, so it’s important to inspect these areas on a regular basis.
Spring Ahead, Fall Back
When we change our clocks, it is a good reminder to take care of some safety aspects of your rental property. Spring is a great time to replace the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your rental home. Smoke detectors should be placed outside each bedroom, on each level of the home. When you install smoke detectors in your rental home, write the date on each unit, as they should be replaced every 10 years. Replace the batteries twice a year. That is why the changing of the clocks for daylight savings can serve as a great reminder!
This year, daylight savings falls on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Make sure you have a few extra batteries on hand. You can also put smoke detector maintenance in your lease. This way, your tenants will know what is expected of them regarding this essential safety equipment.
Conclusion
Spring cleaning of your rental property can be overwhelming. However, you can usually tackle it in a day or two. Keeping up with a cleaning and maintenance schedule can help to reduce the time devoted to Spring cleaning. If you are finding it difficult to conduct these types of inspections and maintenance, contact us at The Property Manager to help you to manage your interior and exterior maintenance projects.
References
6 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Rental Property
Are Smoke Alarms Required in Rental Properties?
