Tips to Get Your Rental Property Ready for Summer

Whether renting your property to a long-term tenant or utilizing it as a week-to-week rental for vacationers, you must have it ready for summer. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to maintain your rental property. Doing so won’t just keep your renters safe; it will reduce your risk of paying for expensive fixes down the road. It will also increase positive reviews of your property. Here are several tips to ensure your rental property is ready for summer.

Inspect the HVAC system

When the hottest days of summer bring sweltering heat and a thick blanket of humidity, the last thing your tenants will want to deal with is an air conditioning unit that isn’t working. You prevent an unexpected HVAC system breakdown by inspecting and, if necessary, repairing a malfunctioning system. Generally, a professional should inspect the HVAC system once a year. Depending on your unit type, your HVAC system can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. During the inspection, a professional will check coils, compressors, and fans to ensure the unit works efficiently. They should also change the air filters.

Clean dryer vents

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dryers cause approximately 3,000 fires yearly. Additionally, fires caused by dryers cost an average of 200 million dollars in property damage. To avoid property damage and possible property injury to your tenants, you must regularly inspect and clean your dryer vent. Dryer vents often become clogged with debris or extra lint. When these items become trapped, the hot air has nowhere to go and can lead to a fire. Contact a professional to clean your dryer vent and protect your property from a fire.

Maintenance the yard

Yes, your tenants are renting to live inside your property, but that doesn’t mean it would help if you let the exterior of the home fall apart. If your property has a yard, perform essential maintenance or hire a professional landscaper to do the work for you. Remove branches, trim bushes and trees, remove weeds and debris, and mow the lawn. With these basic maintenance tasks out of the way, you can add a bit of curb appeal to our property with proper landscaping solutions that includes a few small bushes, easy-to-maintain plants, and a layer of fresh mulch.

Prevent pests

Most states legally require a landlord to offer and maintain a pest-free rental. However, pest prevention is a wise choice despite being a legal requirement. A rental free from pests is likelier to receive a good review and repeat business from happy renters. The most common problems are cockroaches, rodents, bed bugs, termites, flies, ants, ticks, beetles, and silverfish. Where you live will determine what type of pest your property is prone to. Have your property inspected by a professional every year. In between professional inspections, keep an eye out for signs of problems. Also, keep the property clean and debris-free, which could attract pests. Finally, use pesticides as needed but do so safely.

Perform general repairs

Keeping up with basic repairs will reduce significant maintenance in the long run. It will also keep up the appearance of your property and keep your renters happy. The most critical care is those that will prevent large future disasters. Repair chipping paint, loose floorboards, poorly insulated windows or doors, clean gutters, and have the roof inspected yearly.

Keeping your rental property looking beautiful and running efficiently will not only ensure the safety of your renters, but it will also prevent extensive, financially damaging repairs in the long run. Keep up with basic repairs, prevention, and maintenance throughout the year by setting a repair schedule.