In the property management business, you learn one undeniable fact: maintenance never stops. No matter the season, there are always important jobs that need to be done to keep your multi-family units in tip-top shape.
Springtime brings a particular set of challenges. You need to not only fix any damage caused by the harsh winter, but also make sure all your units are ready to transition into the warm summer months ahead. And when you own multi-family units, you need to think of not only each unit individually, but the buildings and landscapes as a whole.
Property Management: Spring Maintenance Tips for Multi-Family Units
This spring maintenance checklist will help ensure that your rental property is well cared-for this season:
Exterior maintenance
Clean the gutters. It’s important to get all the leaves and debris out of your gutters in the spring so that water can flow freely. Heavy spring rains can cause leaks and other issues if the gutters are clogged.
Check the roof. Keep an eye out for loose shingles and other areas that may be repaired. Clear off any sticks and leaves that may have gathered on the roof, and assess whether moss, lichens and other buildup needs to be removed.
Inspect windows and doors. Look for cracks in window glass and air leaks around the edges of window and door frames. Check screens for holes and tears.
Check the siding. Look for damage including cracks, chips, warping and general wear-and tear. Assess whether or not the siding needs to be washed.
Patch up the landscaping. Winter tends to leave exterior landscapes looking a bit worse for wear. Clean up any branches that have been scattered by winter storms, reseed bare patches of lawn, and prune dead or dying branches from your trees and shrubs. If you use an irrigation or sprinkler system, now is the time to get it ready.
Repair sidewalks. Check for cracks and other damage caused by cold winter weather. Sidewalks, walkways and driveways may need to be repaired in the spring, or they may simply need to be washed.
Improve exterior lighting. Spring offers a great opportunity to improve the exterior lighting in multi-family units by adding solar lanterns, motion-sensor lights or similar lighting options.
Interior maintenance
Check the foundation. Winter can be tough on foundations. Inspect the basement walls, floors, masonry and concrete for damage. Cracking and heaving are the biggest threats to watch out for.
Tune up the air conditioning. With summer coming up, it’s important to give your air conditioning unit(s) a tune-up in springtime. This will ensure efficient cooling in the months to come, and may extend the lifespan of your HVAC.
Test alarms. Inspect all the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your property to make sure they’re all working properly and have fresh batteries.
Take a look at the floors. You can inspect your property’s floors any time, but spring is ideal. Deep-cleaning rugs and carpets can be part of your spring-cleaning routine. Now is also a good time to see if any carpets need to be replaced, or if tile or wood floors need care or repairs.
Repaint when it’s warm enough. Spring is the best time to give halls, common areas and vacant units a fresh coat of paint. Wait until it’s warm enough outside that you can leave the windows open for ventilation after painting.
Ongoing maintenance is one of the biggest challenges faced by landlords, and it’s one of the areas where a professional property management company can be of the most help. Contact us today to learn more about how property management pros can make your life easier through no-stress maintenance and repairs.
