With fall just around the corner it is time for rental property owners to start thinking about getting their property ready for the ways that fall affects buildings. The following list of recommendations is aimed at protecting your investment and keeping renters happy and comfortable during the upcoming months.
Top 9 tips to get your rental property ready for fall
Hire an infestation professional to check for insects and animals
Having a professional check for unsealed points of entry to your rental property plus crawl spaces and attics that may be housing small animals and insects before winter sets in can save a lot of hassle with unhappy tenants and future expenses. Animals and insects cause damage to wood and leave behind droppings.
Turn off exterior faucets and put the hoses away for the winter
Turn off the exterior faucets of your rental property to prevent water from freezing and causing damage that could cost money. Put the garden hoses in a warm location to prevent any water left over from freezing.
Check the roof and siding for moss and potential leaks
If your rental property is in a northern state that normally gets a lot of water and snow during the fall and winter you will want to inspect the roof and exterior of your property before the snow falls. Remove all debris and do required maintenance to protect renters and your investment.
Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors
Have your maintenance person seal all gaps and cracks around the windows and doors of your rental property. If possible, replace all windows with double-paned glass. These measures will reduce the heating bill during the fall and winter and keep renters warmer and happier.
Inspect and clean property downspouts and gutters
Gutters and downspouts can become clogged with debris especially if the property is surrounded by deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall. Debris keeps rainwater from flowing to the ground where it should go. Clogged downspouts and gutters can cause damage to the roof, windows, foundation and siding.
Inspect and replace batteries in property smoke and carbon dioxide detectors
Renters sometimes ignore replacing the batteries of smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, even when they start to beep. Inspect and replace the batteries in all smoke and carbon dioxide detectors in your rental property in the fall. This will help protect your investment and keep renters safer during fall and winter.
Clean the yard for fall and winter
Put a cleaning crew to work picking up debris and removing dead plants and decaying vegetation from your property before the weather turns. This will make it easier to replace plants for spring and protect the value of your investment.
Perform maintenance of the heating unit
Fall and winter are harder on heating units because renters will use them to keep warm during these months. If you have an older heating unit it is especially important to have a professional come in and do a quick maintenance check before the cold weather starts. This could save the hassle of the heater breaking down in the winter and extend the life expectancy of the unit.
Perform maintenance on ceiling fans and reverse the direction they turn
Ensure ceiling fans are working properly and dust them in the fall. Reverse their direction of flow to create an updraft and push warm air down into the rooms of your rental property. This will circulate the warm air and keep renters more comfortable during fall and winter while possibly reducing heating bills.
Implement the tips outlined above and your rental property should fair much better during fall and winter. Your investment will be protected from the rigors of the months ahead and renters will feel safer and be more comfortable.
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.
