With spring quickly approaching it’s time for property owners to get their rental property cleaned up for current and interested tenants. The warmer months bring new considerations to property owners and approaching these concerns promptly keeps current tenants happy. Proper preparation also makes a property inviting for interested movers as people tend not to move during the winter (if they can help it) and are far more active in warmer months. Here are steps property owners can take to ensure that their rental properties are ready for the warmer months.
Five ways to prepare a rental property for spring
- Clean up clutter: winter is not the best time for outdoor cleanup and depending on a property’s location, severe weather conditions can make regular cleanup very difficult. Warmer weather allows cleanup and tidying to be prioritized. Winter equipment such as shovels should be properly stored, outdoor furniture moved back into place, and warm weather recreation facilities such as pools and tennis courts should be cleaned up and re-opened. These steps make happier tenants but also make a property more appealing to potential tenants.
- Clean the building’s exterior: spring is an excellent time for exterior washing and cleaning. Cold winter conditions allow for the buildup of dirt and debris and once freezing temperatures are no longer a threat a good yearly cleaning should be performed. Washing windows and power washing external surfaces like patios, driveways and siding can greatly improve the appearance of a property. This is also a good time to touch up any chipped or faded paint and replace shingles or tiles that have broken or faded.
- Landscaping: when the snow and ice start to melt landscaping can begin. Landscaping is a part of regular upkeep that should be performed as soon as possible to prepare for warmer weather conditions. Reseeding should be performed as needed on yards and green areas, flowers planted to improve the overall look of the property, and gardens planted if applicable.
- Clean out air systems: when the weather starts to warm up AC use naturally increases with the temperatures. Management should check all AC units to verify that they are in good working order. Regular maintenance such as filter changes should be performed and any needed repairs should be undertaken by professionals as soon as possible.
- Fire safety: the warmer weather is an opportune time to test any and all fire prevention systems. Fire extinguishers should be checked and refilled or replaced if necessary. Smoke detectors should be checked to verify they are still in working order and all batteries replaced. Also, alarm systems should be tested to ensure that they are working properly.
Son-Rise Property Management has been serving the property management needs of Bellingham and Whatcom County since 1996. Contact us today to see how we can help you find a rental property for your family or manage your rental properties.
