Spring cleaning is not usually a lot of fun but it is one of those necessary evils and if you own a rental property, you get double duty. There are certain things that need to be checked on a regular basis that you should add onto your spring duties each year. Doing them at the same time each year will ensure that these things are not neglected.
1. Check air systems
Winter is behind us and it is time to make sure we are ready to avoid the heat of summer. If you have air conditioning units in your rental property it is a good time to check and make sure that they are functioning properly. Clean the filters and schedule routine maintenance so that when the hot Regina summer hits in full force, everything is ready and operating to specifications.
2. Test fire safety items
This is a good time to check all of the fire safety items and make sure they are in working order. Test the smoke detectors and replace the batteries. If you have fire alarms you should also have them tested and inspected by a professional to make sure they are working. It is also a good time to check the fire extinguisher. If anything is found not to be working properly it is time to replace the items.
3. Start any landscaping that needs to be done
Regina, Saskatchewan is a beautiful city and it is important for you to maintain a beautiful property to attract and retain tenants. When the snow is gone, check your lawn to see if there are areas that need reseeding. Generally, any time after May long weekend is a good time to plant some flowers so the property is inviting. If you have a tenant who likes to garden and it is not your thing, perhaps you can offer a gift card for a greenhouse in Regina and they can get what they would like for flowers.
4. Clean the outside of the dwelling
There may be areas on the place that could use power-washing to clean them up. While you are taking care of that, wash the window exteriors and clean the screens to get all the dust and dirt out. Cleaning the outside of a property can give it street appeal which is a nice bonus for tenants.
5. De-clutter
A yard can tend to get cluttered with garden implements and other yard work tools such as snow shovels. As spring arrives tidy up any areas of the property that have accumulated things that do not belong there. You want to make a good impression on people who are looking at the property and first impressions matter. A clean and tidy yard goes a long way in attracting good renters.
6. Add a fresh coat of paint
If the interior has not been painted in a while you may want to consider it when you do a spring update. Though it is not necessary, it can really enhance a place to have fresh paint. If you currently have tenants and you are not too fussy you can ask them what they would want for colour in a specific room. It is a good idea to keep the colours fairly neutral but giving them a little input goes a long way in creating a good landlord/tenant relationship. Perhaps you can offer to do one room just to give it a little upgrade.
7. Have the carpets cleaned
If you have carpet in your rental property this is a good time to get them shampooed. You can have it professionally done or rent a cleaner and do it yourself. Either way, it makes the home smell clean and fresh and brightens it up when you have clean carpet. If you do not have carpet it is still a good idea to do a deep clean of the floors, especially if there are not currently tenants and there is no furniture to work around.
8. Examine the roof
This is also a good time to check on your shingles and make sure they are in good condition. Though a roof does not need maintenance often, it is a good idea to keep an eye on it to make sure there are no leaks that will cause property damage. If any maintenance is required, get it done right away so it does not become a major problem.
Being a successful landlord of a rental means that you take care of the dwelling to make sure it is always kept in good condition. Spring is a great time to make sure everything is in proper order and any maintenance is completed.
If you have more than one rental property and find that you are having a hard time keeping on top of everything, the experts at Kodiak Property Management can help you to ensure that all of your properties are taken care of. They are a professional property management group who can help you with property management needs.