Let’s think about warmer days, breezy nights, lush landscapes, and more time outdoors.
Let’s think about summer.
It’s almost here, and as we approach the changing seasons, you also need to be thinking about your investment properties, and the maintenance they may need to make it through the next few months. Is your rental property prepared for summer?
To keep your property well-maintained, make sure you have a maintenance plan in place and a schedule for inspections and cleanings.
It’s Time for Lawn Maintenance and Landscaping
Schedule regular lawn maintenance for your rental property as summer approaches. If you’re thinking that you want your residents to handle the lawn care on a regular basis, that’s fine. You want to give them a good point from which to start, however. You’ll also need to remember that not all residents will be willing to keep up with the landscaping as much as you’d like them to.
Hire a landscaping or lawn care company to begin the process of getting your outdoor space ready for summer. You can have professionals take care of the mowing and the weeding once spring arrives and moves into summer. Working with a professional lawn maintenance team will ensure your landscaping is protected and your home continues to look attractive.
When you get on a regular service plan, it won’t be too expensive, and you can include the cost in the rent when you’re setting your rental price.
Clean and Inspect Gutters
Your gutters will need to be cleaned out every year as summer approaches.
Gutters in our region quickly get clogged with branches, sticks, leaves, dirt, and other debris. Have those cleaned out so you don’t put your rental property at risk for water damage, leaks, and moisture issues.
This is another service that will ideally be performed by professionals. You don’t want your tenants to get on a ladder and try to clean out the gutters. If they fall or something breaks, you’re looking at additional expenses and a lot of liability.
Irrigation Maintenance and Sprinklers
Sprinklers will need your attention in the summer. Close any manual drains that were left open while the sprinklers were off for the winter. Open and pressurize the main sprinkler valves and run the entire system, looking for leaks and damage to piping and sprinkler heads which may have occurred during the winter. Adjust the spray patterns and the timing so your sprinklers will be ready to water your lawn. Check for damage as well, and repair anything that’s rusty.
Service your HVAC System
Air conditioning isn’t always available in rental properties, but if you do provide it as an amenity, you’ll want to make sure the system is in good shape and ready to function. It’s a good idea to have an HVAC technician check the compressor, the heating system, and the ventilation as well. Make sure the tenants know how often to change the air filters. Your heating and cooling system is probably one of the most expensive systems in your property. You want to maintain it so you can avoid expensive repairs and replacements.
Check in with your residents as summer arrives. It’s a good opportunity to find out if any minor repairs or replacements are needed.
If you’d like some managing seasonal maintenance, we’re your team. Please contact us Real Estate Gladiators. We serve Monroe, Issaquah, Bellevue, Everett, Lake Stevens, Kirkland, and other cities in and around King and Snohomish counties in Washington State.
