Managing rental properties involves many responsibilities, significantly as the seasons change. Preparing your rental property for fall and winter is key to protecting your investment and ensuring your tenants feel comfortable and safe. Use this guide to prepare for the colder months.
Exterior Maintenance
Before the temperatures drop, focus on maintaining the exterior of your property. Here's a checklist to get started:
- Gutter Cleaning: Clear gutters and downspouts of debris so water can flow away from the building’s foundation effectively.
- Roof Inspection: Look for loose or missing shingles that might lead to leaks. Fix any problems promptly to avoid costly water damage. (Grand Realty Group will look at the roof free of charge if you opt into the gutter cleaning service we offer)
- Landscaping: Trim back overgrown bushes or trees that could cause damage or are in contact with the property.
- Remove hose from spigots: Drain and remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets to prevent them from freezing and causing damage. (We ask residents to do this in our communications)
- Weatherproofing: Check exterior doors and windows for gaps and apply weather stripping to keep drafts out.
Interior Maintenance
Once the exterior is taken care of, it's time to focus on interior maintenance. Here are some important tasks to tackle:
- Dryer Vent Cleaning: Clean the vent to prevent fire hazards if your property has a clothes dryer.
- Heating Systems: Arrange a professional inspection of heating systems, including furnaces and fireplaces, to ensure they work efficiently. Change filters and clean ducts if needed. (Watch for our email about this service)
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: If your smoke detectors aren't hardwired, install 10-year sealed battery detectors to ensure compliance with state law.
Conclusion
Let's make sure your investment stays in tip-top shape! Keep a lookout for more tips and tricks from us to keep you informed on everything property management-related! Remember - Maintenance is key!So get ready and stay prepared for the upcoming months. Together, we can make this a smooth transition for you and your residents. Thank you for choosing Grand Realty Group Property Management! We appreciate your business and are always here to help! Here's to a successful end of the year!
