We may not have had much of a winter, but it’s official — spring has sprung in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Just like spring cleaning presents the perfect opportunity to (finally) deal with those dust bunnies under your bed, spring maintenance presents a perfect opportunity to take stock of your properties, deal with any property maintenance issues, and make sure everything is on the up-and-up.
Spring is also a great time to check in on areas of your property that might not get attention other times of the year; while you make sure your AC is in working order before summer rolls around or that the heat is working before the temperatures drop, spring is a great time to check out the other things — like your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors — that might have been ignored for more seasonal issues at other times of the year.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to check this spring with the spring maintenance checklist for landlords:
#1: Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
The first thing you’ll want to check during your spring maintenance is your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These are a non-negotiable for safety, so you want to test them and make sure they’re working properly and have plenty of battery power. If you can’t remember the last time you changed the batteries in your detectors, play it safe and switch them out.
#2: Check the Chimney
If you have a chimney at your property, now’s a great time to give it a quick checkup.
First, look at the overall condition of the chimney. Is there anything that needs to be cleaned or replaced? Then take a look at the mortar between the bricks to see if it needs to be repaired. Finally, check to see if there’s any vegetation growing out of the chimney — if so, it’s a sign of water infiltration and definitely something you’ll want to take care of.
#3: Check the Foundation
If there’s anything you need to keep intact at your property, it’s your foundation. But for whatever reason, many landlords don’t regularly check their foundation — and as a result, damage goes unnoticed until it’s too late.
Take advantage of your spring maintenance as an opportunity to check your foundation for any signs of movement (like cracks) and address any necessary repairs before they get out of hand.
#4: Pest Control
Spring is prime time for all sorts of pests to come out and play, including ants, bees, and rats. But the last thing you want? For them to use your property as a playground.
Check your entire property for any signs of pests — and if you find any, nip the problem in the bud before you’ve got an infestation on your hands.
#5: Check the Windows
Next thing you’ll want to check is your windows. First, you’ll want to check the basics — do they open and close easily? Do they lock? Is there any external damage (like chipped paint) that needs to be addressed?
Once you’ve checked the basics, then you’ll want to check their performance. Are they letting air pass through (which will be super important when the temperature rises in the summer)? How’s the caulking? Are there any leaks when it rains?
Go through every window at your property to make sure they’re in working order.
#6: Test the Electrical Outlets
You’ll also want to test every electrical outlet and make sure they’re working properly. It’s also a great time to check the wiring and make sure they’re well organized and not a complete mess (which can pose a safety hazard for your tenants).
#7: Check Your Plumbing
Spring is also a great time to check for leaky faucets, sweaty pipes, clogged drains, … basically anything that could be wrong with the plumbing.
#8: Check Your HVAC Air Filter (And Replace it if Necessary)
You don’t want your HVAC to work harder than it needs to, so check your air filter and (if necessary) replace it before you start cranking the AC in the summer. Then set a schedule for changing your air filters throughout the summer.
Spring is the perfect time for checking in on your property and getting everything in working order before summer rolls around. And with the essential spring maintenance checklist for landlords, you’ve got everything you need to make sure all the important items are crossed off your list — and that your property is in tip-top shape this spring and beyond.
Don’t want to run through this checklist yourself? Get in touch with LEAP today to learn more about our property management services — and how we can eliminate the hassle of managing your property.
