Prepare your property to withstand the elements as the leaves change color and the temperature drops. Fall is the perfect reprieve between the punishing heat of summer and the unbearable chill of winter. Thus, it only makes sense you use the time wisely for preventative measures. After all, the last thing you want is a burst pipe or leaky roof that inconveniences your tenants and forces you to make emergency calls in the cold. So if you’re a landlord, stick around till the end for our fall readiness checklist:
Fall Readiness Checklist for Landlords
Inspect and Service HVAC Systems
Schedule a professional inspection of your HVAC system to ensure your tenants are warm and toasty. When the temperature dips especially as winter approaches, there’s more pressure on your heating system. Electrical companies are more likely to receive emergency calls about broken HVAC systems, which can take several hours or days to fix, and by then you’ll have disgruntled tenants on your hands wondering why you didn’t do this earlier. On the other hand, calling an expert at the first sign of a fall gives you time to spot any issues that could become major faults later. Aside from keeping your renters warm, it also saves you money in the long run.
Gutter Cleaning and Roof Inspection
Grab a ladder and a broom, and clear out your gutters. During fall, trees shed their leaves and can clog up your roof’s drainage and obstruct water flow. As a result, pooling water could lead to potential roof damage or seep through the walls and cause an electrical fire. That’s why it’s essential to keep your gutters clear.
And while you’re up there, use the opportunity to inspect your roof. Over time, harsh weather can cause cracks in your roof, or normal wear and tear could leave vulnerable parts of your roof prone to leaks. A thorough fall inspection should involve sealing cracks and addressing minor repairs to prevent your house from feeling drafty.
Weatherproofing
Speaking of drafts, protect your home from the elements by double-checking your insulation. Fall can be an unpredictable season with its fluctuating temperature. For instance, you could feel a summer-like heat in the early afternoon and quite chilly in the evening. As a result, it’s best to seal any gaps in your caulk and ensure your windows and doors are properly insulated.
Some property owners believe it’s the tenants’ responsibility to prevent frozen pipes, and if you’re on that bandwagon, be sure to give your renters clear instructions on what to do. Work with a professional property manager in Northern Virginia to include lease terms regarding regular maintenance responsibilities so everyone is on the same page.
Yard Preparation
Get your leaf blower out of the garage and spend some time on your landscaping to maintain your curb appeal. Falling leaves can be a pain to deal with this fall (no pun intended), but if left unattended they could be a safety hazard. After all, the last thing you want is a tenant suing you for a fall on your property, so keep your footpaths and your yard clear of any debris. In addition, remember to trim your trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of rogue branches causing property damage during a storm.
3 Mistakes to Avoid During Fall Readiness
Half-Measured Maintenance
Addressing fall maintenance concerns is an important role for landlords to make sure tenants feel heard. However, it’s a lot of work, and it can be tempting to leave the job halfway or postpone completing it till something bad happens. A half-hearted approach can be even more dangerous than a none-attempt, like leaving a pile of leaves and twigs in the yard that can hurt your tenants’ kids when they’re playing. It can also easily get picked up by the wind during a storm and flung onto the property. So, instead of tackling the entire checklist in a single day, make a plan for when and how you plan to complete your tasks, starting with the most pressing concerns first.
Over-Fertilizing Lawn
Hold off on dumping an entire bag of mulch on your lawn. Yes, fall is one of the best times to pay attention to your landscaping, but if you go overboard you could do more harm than good. Over-fertilizing your lawn leads to nutrient burn, damaging your grass and making it more susceptible to pests and diseases. On the other hand, using the right schedule and amount gives your plants sufficient nutrients, allowing them to boost your fall curb appeal.
Last-Minute Painting
Avoid getting a badly done paint job as your result by making last-minute decisions that result in poor work. Fall is one of the most pleasant weathers for outdoor work, but if you want to get the most value for your money, like everything else on the checklist you need a plan. If it’s too close to summer or winter, a sudden heat wave or early signs of snow could make it hard to finish. You could also go through all the trouble of completing an exterior paint job only to realize you forgot to clean the gutters. In that scenario, you’d have to risk ruining your fresh coat of paint or living with the risk of roof damage. That’s why it’s best to plan your painting well in advance to avoid a rushed job.
Conclusion
Use our fall readiness checklist to prepare your rental property for the upcoming season. As a landlord, you must ensure our tenants live in a safe and conducive environment all year round, so remember to inspect your HVAC system to keep your interior temperature stable. And while you’re at it, keep exterior weather conditions out of the house by weatherproofing your home and inspecting your roof to prevent drafts.
However, it’s crucial to complete these tasks once you get started. Half-measured jobs can be counter-productive to your efforts, and over-fertilizing can strip your soil of natural nutrients, suffocating your grass. A professional property manager can help avoid these common mistakes and keep you on the right track to complete your fall readiness checklist.
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