Spring has sprung and the weather is warming back up here in Florida which means it’s time for some spring home maintenance. Although we don’t have to deal with frozen pipes or snow, there are still a few essential maintenance items to check off your list to prepare for the blazing hot spring and summer heat.
Whether you’re a single-family or multifamily rental property owner in Florida, quarterly inspections and maintenance evaluations are crucial to ensure the longevity of your property’s condition and success. Keeping your property in tip top shape makes for a smooth rental process and satisfied tenants.
At The Listing Real Estate Management, our team of professional rental property managers have identified a list of the most important maintenance items to check up on this spring. So, here is our spring home maintenance checklist for Florida rental property owners!
Inspect and Clean Gutters
If you live in Florida, you know that Spring means two things: hot weather and constant rain. Between the months of May-September, chances are, it’s going to rain for at least 30 minutes every day. With severe weather approaching, homeowners must take action to prepare and protect their asset from rain storms and flooding.
The main function of gutters is to collect and allow rainwater to flow into the ground and away from your home, preventing soil erosion and foundation damage. Your gutters play a pivotal role in protecting your home, and taking care of them is a must.
Your gutters should be cleaned regularly to rid of any leaves, branches, dirt, or mildew that accumulated over the winter. If any part of the gutter is obstructed, the rain flow can become backed up and the gutter will overflow. Overflowing gutters can cause damage to the foundation of your home which costs a pretty penny to repair, and months of lost rental income.
We highly recommend installing gutters if your rental property does not already have them. A lack of gutters creates a buildup of mildew and allows water to seep into your home — two things you want to actively avoid as a rental property owner.
Check Roof for Any Damage
While you’re up there cleaning the gutters, be sure to look around and inspect the condition of your roof. Keep an eye out for any missing or cracked shingles, as well as loose nails.
Maintaining the condition of your roof is essential in preventing any further roof damage or leaks. Your roof is your home’s shield and even just a little damage to this shield can cause severe maintenance issues inside your home.
In the midst of a week-long summer rain storm, a missing shingle can cause a whole lot of trouble for you and your tenant. Any missing shingles or roof cracks should not be taken lightly as both cases could lead to a roof leak, home damage, and a vacant property.
In addition, checking for loose or missing nails can save you a headache down the road. With the rainy season comes wind and the chance that loose shingles might fly off the roof. As experienced Orlando property managers, our best advice is to always take preventative measures, instead of taking the risk and dealing with the trouble later.
Check Rental Property HVAC Systems
Aside from generating a rental income, one of your main goals as a rental property owner should be to ensure your tenants are satisfied. As a Florida rental property owner, you will certainly struggle to retain tenants if you do not provide air conditioning or fail to fix it if it breaks.
To prepare for the hot summer months, it is essential to ensure your air conditioning is functioning properly. If your air conditioning system is eight years or older, you may run the risk of providing your tenants with a faulty air conditioner. As the average lifespan of an air conditioner is 10 years, replacing it before it stops functioning correctly would be a wise decision.
In addition, correct use of your air conditioning during the spring and summer is paramount. If the air conditioner is not set properly, moisture can accumulate in your home leading to mold growth and destroyed property. To avoid mold and mildew growth, it is highly recommended to keep your air conditioner on the AUTO setting instead of the ON setting. In the auto setting, your air conditioner’s fan will only run when it is heating or cooling the space. The auto setting acts as a dehumidifier, preventing moisture buildup in your home.
Be sure to inform your tenants of the correct way to set the air conditioner to avoid any moisture and mold buildup.
Inspect and Seal Windows and Doors
Inspecting and sealing windows and doors is an essential item on the spring maintenance checklist. Ensuring all windows and doors are sealed properly will help prevent mosquitos, other insects, and rain from entering your home.
In addition, property sealed windows will allow you to keep the hot air out and the cool air in. When the weather is 90 degrees and raining, no tenant wants to be inviting in the warm moisture from the outside. Sealed windows and doors will also contribute to energy efficiency as cool air produced by the air conditioner will not be wasted. This will reduce utility costs and increase tenant satisfaction.
If you are in between tenants, it is also crucial to rekey your home. To preserve the safety of your tenants, they should be the only ones with a current key copy, aside from the landlord or property manager.
Inspect Pool and Pool Equipment
If your rental property has a pool, it is important to make sure it is up to standard in preparation for heavy use. Your tenants will most likely be using the pool frequently, whether it’s every day or weekly. Your tenants may have even chosen your property specifically for the pool, so ensuring it is working properly should be a top priority.
To ensure tenant satisfaction, we highly recommend a thorough inspection of your pool and pool equipment before the start of the spring and summer months so your tenants can enjoy cooling off on a hot day.
The most important aspects of your pool to inspect are:
- Pool structure
- Pool filtration system
- Pool plumbing
- Pool chemicals and water quality
- Pool accessories
- Pool heating system
- Pool safety equipment
Clean Outdoor Areas and Furniture
If your property does not have a pool, maintaining clean and inviting outdoor areas is still a necessity. Whether it’s a backyard, front porch, balcony, or patio, sprucing up the outdoor area will enhance the overall appeal of your rental property. Floridians love to soak up the sun or enjoy a nice evening outside, so tenants will most likely take particular notice of any damage, overgrowth, or mildew present in your outdoor areas.
If your outdoor furniture looks like it’s worn down over the past couple of years, it may be time to replace it. Although it can be a large expense, your tenants will be satisfied and the rental income will contribute to covering the expense. Any existing furniture in good condition should be washed thoroughly as pollen and dirt accumulates easily.
Orlando Property Management Summary
Maintaining the condition of your rental property is essential for high tenant satisfaction, retention, and return on investment. As Florida property managers, we know that spring maintenance and taking care of a rental property can be time consuming and challenging. But, you don’t have to do it alone.
At The Listing Real Estate Management, our team of professional property managers are highly experienced in all aspects of running a property from start to finish. We work with a network of licensed vendors who perform an excellent job when it comes to any maintenance issue your property may face.
At The Listing Real Estate Management, our comprehensive single-family property managers offer the best service through a personal, proactive, and dynamic approach to residential management. Our services including marketing and leasing, tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance and repairs, and rental property accounting, allow our clients to take a step back from the day-to-day responsibilities of managing a rental property.
Contact our Orlando Property Management Team
Our team’s experience and unique skill sets maximize our clients’ ROI. We execute on the little things, and our attention to detail directly affects your bottom line. Our clients appreciate the accessibility and communication our team delivers — two key aspects for success.
With The Listing Real Estate Management, you can experience the benefits of professional expertise and knowledge accumulated over 15 years. Our team of local experts understands the Central Florida rental market, providing valuable insights and instilling confidence in your investment.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and embark on a successful property management journey with The Listing!
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