For Landlords

Maintaining Your Rental Property: A Seasonal Checklist

Our properties need to be maintained whether we like it or not. That is why becoming a landlord is a big responsibility as owning a property means owning more responsibilities. When one becomes a landlord, it should be set in mind that real estate means investment in many things. Yes, we know it’s a pain to think about what to do to keep everything in its place and in good condition. That’s why in this article, we’ll discuss the entire checklist to make sure that your property has less maintenance expenses and tenant-ready.

Exterior Maintenance

We used to forget all about maintaining the exterior of the property such as the roof. We usually think too much about how we can make the property’s interior design look attractive to potential tenants. Because of that mindset, we forget to know the importance of having to maintain everything within the property’s area. To change that angle a bit, you should practice thinking about what’s going on in the inside and the outside of the entire property. If something is going on on the outside, that would most possibly affect the inside as well! Well, let’s not fret – here’s a few exterior checklist for you to avoid a catastrophic nightmare!

Roof and Gutters

Your home is guarded by two things: Roofs and Walls. We tend to think that our roofs are okay even if we don’t regularly check them. Because who would worry about it, right? A roof is made to be sturdy for years and years. But that’s not always the case, a roof can either make it or break itself if not maintained properly. 

But it’s not only the roof – gutters are also important in case the weather is getting a little moody. Rainy seasons are probably a person’s favorite season or hated season. But whichever, gutters are the best part of a property that makes sure your tenants are safe from rainy seasons. 

What should I do to maintain them both?

  • Make sure to check your roof is still in good condition; check if there are any leaks or damages, especially during moody season.
  • Make sure to clean up the gutters; the gutters would usually be filled with unnecessary debris such as leaves, resulting in clogged gutters.
  • Make sure that the screws are still tight; always check the screws if there are signs of rustiness, this can most likely cause trouble for gutters and roofs to not be in its best condition.

By keeping these things in mind, you won’t ever have to risk your roof and gutter into becoming an expenses nightmare! 

Siding and Paint

Aside from the daily protection, a property is always judged according to how the paint and the sidings look and how it is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Tenants love a property that looks attractive to them but over time, this would wear out. Future tenants would not like that so much, won’t they?

What should I do to maintain them both?

  • Make sure that the paint on the wall is not worn out; regularly check if the paint is flaking or peeling off. If that’s the case, make sure you get the wall painted out again.
  • Check if the siding of the property is wearing out or rotting; ask for house maintenance assistance before setting another property viewing appointment.

It can be a lot of work, but this will surely make your entire property aesthetically pleasing for everyone to see. 


Landscaping and Lawn Care

A beautiful landscape means landlords care not only about the unit, but also the entire area of the property! If your property has lawns or a wide landscape, make sure it is maintained by hiring a professional gardener from time to time. This way, tenants will see that you value your property really well. Plus, it is a pleasant view for tenants who love nature and gardening!

What should I do to maintain it?

  • Don’t add too many plants! Make sure that there are just enough colorful flowers and greeneries. 
  • Make sure that the grass is maintained at the right height; it is suggested that the lawn should be mowed once a week.

But if you feel like everything is too much work for you, try hiring a professional gardener to make sure your property is as beautiful as it was from the beginning.

Interior Maintenance

Designs and aesthetics in the property’s interior makes everything look clean and organized. They’re fresh and clean at the beginning of the property’s completion, but we tend to forget that cleaning the inside of the property does not only mean that you have to keep different parts of the house organized. Remember that organizing the entire property should not only be maintained, but the furniture such as the air conditioning systems, plumbing pipes, and even the electrical appliances should be regularly checked especially if your property is set for short-term rentals.


Air Conditioning

Air conditioning systems are part of a tenant’s comfort throughout their property occupancy. That is why, as a landlord, you should make sure to regularly maintain the air conditioning system. However, it really depends on how often the air conditioning system is used, especially during short-term rentals. Since we live in a country where summer often comes by, air conditioning systems are mostly used by tenants to keep the whole unit in the cool temperature. In which we should often expect that air conditioning systems are often turned on or always used by stay-in tenants.

What should I do to maintain it?

  • If the air conditioning system is often used; make sure to regularly check the unit and clean it for at least 3 to 4 months.
  • If the air conditioning system is not often used; make sure to check it less frequently, but keep in mind that you should clean it at least once a year.

It all comes down to how often the air conditioning system is used. Keep in mind that it also varies between the environment of the property and the unit type of the air conditioning system.

Plumbing and Fixtures

Sinks and bathrooms are also often used by tenants. Think about how many meals and how many showers a person needs to have every single day. It is suggested that landlords should check the pipes and water leakages after every tenancy. *This is only applicable for short-term rentals only* 

What should I do to maintain it?

  • Make sure to keep contact with your plumbing service provider; in case of any leakages reported, make sure to immediately look over it before the next tenancy.
  • Check the bathrooms if there are issues; make sure to regularly check the bathrooms after every rental term to avoid leakage issues and such.

Let’s admit it – we cannot go on with our day without a working sink, bathroom, and no leakages at all!

Appliances and Electrical Systems

We have different types of appliances within the property like water dispensers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more. These appliances are always a must inside your property to keep the tenants feeling comfortable like home. But everything has an end or let’s put it in a more understandable way – it has a lifespan. That is why you have to be aware of how you can extend its lifespan.

What should I do to maintain it?

  • Regularly clean the appliances; this is to prevent dust and dirt buildup.
  • Unplug when not in use; when the unit is not occupied by tenants yet, make sure to unplug them to conserve energy as well.
  • Make sure to do a regular maintenance check up; this will keep your appliances all in its best condition and performance as well. 

Without having to have a greater amount of expenses to buy new appliances, make sure to regularly check them to keep its performance optimal and at the best condition!

Seasonal Checklist

We might not have the complete set of seasons, but as a tropical country – our properties would require more maintenance. Especially during the summer and rainy season, everything should be in place for our tenants to feel comfortable and set for both seasons. Here are some tips on how you can keep your tenants feel the best rental experience for summer and rainy season:

Summer Season

Air Conditioning Maintenance

Keep in mind that summer offers a lot of sweating for tenants. That is why prioritizing the maintenance of air conditioning units, refrigerators, water dispensers, etc. are a must! Tenants often want to keep the temperature at a bearable level of coldness and keep tons of cold beverage for a cool summer. 

Check for Adequate Shade

Make sure that your property offers enough shaded areas, especially that tenants would most likely want to go outside from some fresh air. Make sure to assess that your property is ready for some summer action!

Rainy Season

Roof Inspection

Make sure to check for roof leakages and clogged gutters. This is to ensure that the proper is rain-proof from day to night.

Check for Leaks

Aside from checking the roof and gutters, make sure to check the windows for leaks. Seal off any gaps and make sure that the window is heavy rain-proof as well!

Flood Prevention Measures

Make sure the property is elevated enough to prevent flooding. If the property is in a flood-prone area, consider installing flood-proof barriers to keep the water out from the unit.

Pest Control

Heavy rains can lead to heavy pest infestations! To make sure that the property is protected from unwelcome guests, make sure to prepare your pest control weapons against them.

Budgeting for Maintenance

Landlords often think, “What could go wrong with my property?”. As a landlord companion, you should learn to set aside enough budget for maintenance because repairs are unpredictable. This is something that landlords should think about beforehand. Having a property to be rented is not as easy as you living in your own house. There are different kinds of tenants; there are some that are aggressive when it comes to using the property but some are cautious. That is why thinking in advance is not a bad thing, it’s actually a unique ability that a landlord can possess.

Tenant Collaboration

When you are onboarding a new tenant, it is important to keep them informed on how they should handle the entire property from appliances to beds and even the most non-fragile things inside. Sometimes, tenants can be a little careless knowing that they are only renting the entire property. Keep in mind that during a tenant’s stay, there are uncertainties that can happen. There is actually a quicker solution to keep the tenants responsible during their stay: create house rules for tenants.

Emergency Preparedness

“Anything can happen”, that’s what we tend to say. That is why landlords should keep their emergency contacts and insurances just in case anything goes wrong. This is something that every landlord should always have since there are uncertainties that would occur any time of the day. Remember that preparing from everything is a quick defense from everything!

Tip from Us: Use SPEEDMANAGE to acquire House Repairs & Maintenance with SPEEDHOME!

There are many tenants that are usually giving more attention to detail despite the price of the property itself. They would either be affected with either the interior or exterior parts of the property. That is why we want to make sure that you skim through this checklist of maintenance preparedness to assure that everything is in the right place for you, the tenant, and the property. 

Feeling a little overwhelmed with house maintenance & repair?

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