As the snow and ice starts to melt, we are reminded that Spring is quickly approaching and will hopefully be just around the corner. If you are the owner of a rental property, you will want to assess your property’s readiness to welcome in the warmer temps and the sunny seasons ahead. 

No matter what season of year it is, tackling maintenance tasks can seem overwhelming. Making a list to keep your thoughts and tasks organized is a sure way to make sure you stay on track, make sure you don’t forget anything important, and to also make sure you keep your sanity. 

Take detailed notes as you go to make sure that you remember what you’ve already done, any tasks you may need to address in the future, and it’s even a great idea to keep track of the date of inspection and what work was done and when.

Read on to find what maintenance items and tasks you should be ready to cross off your checklist to ensure your rental property is Spring ready.

Exterior Maintenance

The pleasant weather that comes with Spring makes this season the ideal time to do inspections and maintenance on the exterior of the property.

Check for wear and tear on all door and window seals. Examine around the window seals, door frame and at the foundation. Fill any gaps with weather stripping or caulk to make sure that all of the valuable air conditioning is sealed in, as well as ensuring that all pesky and intrusive insects and rodents are sealed out.

Check siding for any worn pieces and replace as necessary. Make sure that all roofing shingles are secure and in good condition. Clean the gutters so that the April showers will have no obstructions when draining.

Landscaping

Another area that is extremely important to cover when assessing ways to make sure your rental property is Spring ready is the landscaping. 

The landscaping will be the area that has the biggest visual impact, not only to you and the tenant who rents and lives there, but also to everyone who goes by the property.

Trim away any overgrown tree branches that are low hanging or overgrown. Trim the shrubs back to allow for new growth, allowing enough space for them to bloom throughout the growing season without overgrowing any sidewalks or access points. 

Even though you or your tenant may have raked the leaves in the fall, there are often those stragglers that make their way to the lawn and pile up. Take advantage of a sunny pleasant day and rake up any excess leaves and dead brush that has made its way onto the lawn.

Spring is a great time to also fertilize your lawn to assist with maintaining a healthy lawn through the growing months. If you have flower beds, put weed stop fabric in any areas that are prone to the unwanted intrusion. Applying mulch to these beds will also give a fresh, clean look and will make the areas look refreshed.

Air Conditioning

This is a great time to check on your HVAC system. Many heating and cooling companies offer spring specials where they complete a yearly check up on your system to make sure that all components are working properly. Being a responsible landlord means you will make sure your tenants do not have an unpleasant surprise and find themselves sweltering in the summer heat without a way to cool down the property. Although there will be a financial cost associated with this upkeep, it may save you in the long run from after hours emergency calls and unhappy tenants. 

Keeping up with the usual HVAC maintenance is essential now as well. Make sure to change or clean all air filters and mark them with the date it was changed. Mark your calendar too, as a reminder when a fresh air filter will be necessary.

Windows

No one wants to look out of dirty windows, when everything around them seems clean and fresh for the season. Take the time to clean the windows and any glass doors. Don’t forget to take the window screens out as well to spray off and to wipe down the window sills to clean out any bugs, dirt or spiderwebs. 

Following these proactive ways to make sure your property is Spring ready will give your property the advantage when you market it for a renter.   


If you need assistance getting your Branson rental property Spring ready, contact Thousand Hills Realty at (417) 337-8081. We are the area’s premier property management company and we will be happy to assist you in marketing and managing your rental.