View all articles
While the cold weather has felt ever-present, spring is finally here and the temperatures will begin rising again. This is the ideal opportunity for many buy-to-let owners to spruce up their rental properties and get ready for movers looking for a new home, whether that’s fixing damage caused over winter or taking care of some often-neglected maintenance tasks. With these spring maintenance tips, your rental property will be market-ready in no time.
The Value of Regular Maintenance
Rental maintenance may seem like a chore that can be put off, but making sure your investment is well cared for will ensure you save money in the long term. Maintenance can take up around one fifth of a landlord’s rental income, but there are benefits that make it a worthwhile endeavour.
Maintenance doesn’t just make your rental more appealing to prospective tenants, but it also helps to prevent structural damage, saves energy on property upkeep and ensures that all systems within the property are running smoothly to avoid repairs and issues for tenants. A well-maintained property is less likely to experience a high turnover rate, which saves you money in the long term as the owner.
Check the Seals and Locks on Windows and Doors
Wooden trims on windows and doors, and rubber seals on the insides, can become brittle and cracked over time, which is exacerbated by the cold winter weather. It can leave a property vulnerable to leaks and draughts in the event of a downpour, so spring is a good time to check all the seals on the property to make sure they’re in good condition. If you spot any damage and signs of decay in timber structures or elsewhere in the property, you may need to repair the area in question or have them replaced to prevent the damage from spreading.
Similarly, the constant barrage of frost, rain, and snow during the winter can impact external buildings like garages — take time to have this area of the property serviced to ensure the door is balanced correctly and the springs have ample resistance to keep it safe and secure.
Clean Out Gutters and Inspect the Roof
In spring, we’re not out of the woods when it comes to regular rain showers, but if your guttering has become blocked with leaves and debris from the winter season, you could be at risk of a leaky roof or damp problems in the adjoining wall of the building. Cleaning out the guttering on your rental property isn’t a fun job, but it is a necessary part of property upkeep and it’s a quick task that could save you a considerable amount in repair costs.
If you are the owner of a house, rather than a flat, then you’ll be responsible for the roof of the property. And it’s a huge investment that requires caring for, unless you want to be facing a hefty repair bill in the future. Have a qualified roofing professional take a look at the roof to check for damage or deterioration, as holes can leave your property at risk of damage to plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems. If any problems are spotted, it’s best to tackle them straight away.
Monitor the Property for Moisture Build-up
Winter and moisture are a match made in heaven, but that’s not something you want to introduce into your buy-to-let investment. In fact, neglecting moisture in a home can quickly lead to mould and mildew forming, which not only causes issues for the decor in the property, but also leads to a risk of health problems for your tenants.
With the weather starting to warm up in the spring, it’s a good time to check for any mould or signs of damp in the property, including any attic or basement areas, and get windows opened regularly to encourage airflow. Installing a dehumidifier in the property can help to prevent dangerous mould from developing, but if you spot damp, you will need to get a professional contractor round to inspect the structure and deal with it quickly.
Make Sure Smoke Detectors are in Working Order
Smoke detectors are an essential for any rental property, but just having them in place isn’t enough. As a responsible landlord, you need to ensure that the detectors are in good working order and that the batteries are replaced regularly. Making a habit of replacing them in the spring every year means that, as a bare minimum, they’re being replaced once a year. But it’s also important to check them throughout the year too, just as a matter of precaution.
Give Carpets and Upholstery a Deep Clean
If you have a furnished rental property, spring is a great time to give carpets and sofas a deep clean. These features may make your property more inviting and comfortable, but they’re also quick to gather dust, stains and dirt from dropped food and debris from outdoors. So invest in a professional deep clean, or buy a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, and tackle these areas to remove allergens, freshen up the room and give floors and furniture a new lease of life for your tenants.
You might be surprised just how much of a difference it can make to the look and feel of a property, making it more hygienic and fresher, but also the warmer weather will help these areas dry quicker once you’ve finished cleaning them, making spring the ideal time to tick this off your to-do list.
Boost Kerb Appeal with Landscaping
Lastly, spring is the perfect time to check that any outdoor space attached to the property is kept clean and tidy. It boosts the kerb appeal of the home for any prospective tenants, but it also prevents the garden from becoming an overgrown, tangled mess, or patios from becoming broken and covered in moss. Spring is the right time to clean off any garden furniture, powerwash the patio slabs and fix any damaged fence panels which may have become broken or loose in the winter.
Ensuring your property looks its best and is in good working order won’t just attract the right tenants, but it also inspires them to take better care of where they live, which saves you time and effort in maintaining the property long-term.
