Fall maintenance is a very important part of managing your rental property. As the weather gets colder, it’s time to think about how your rental property will weather the changing seasons. At Real Property Management Chicago Group, we have seen firsthand how important fall maintenance is to make sure your property is ready for the cold. Making sure your property is ready for colder weather is crucial to prevent many maintenance issues that can arise. Prevent problems before they start with these simple tips!
Focus on the Exterior
If your rental property is a single family home, ensure that the exterior is ready for colder temperatures.
- Look around the outside of the the house to see if any repairs to the siding, roof, gutters, or foundation.
- Seal any small gaps where animals might enter.
- If the driveway or walkway is in poor condition, snow removal will be more difficult. If these are cracked or crumbling, they can also become hazardous in icy weather. Consider repairing or repaving areas that need work.
- Make sure that any outside stairs have steady railings in case of icy conditions.
- Trim any surrounding trees or shrubs if needed. If any branches are hanging close to the house, remove them to prevent damage.
- Clean rain gutters of any debris, leaves or pine needles.
Check the Interior
These simple fall maintenance steps will leave you confident that the interior of your property remains safe and warm through the colder months.
- Is the furnace working properly? Consider having it inspected by a licensed HVAC technician or contractor. This is not a step to DIY unless you are licensed. Also replace filters if necessary.
- Inspect any fireplaces and have chimney’s cleaned to remove creosote build-up. Chimney clogs can lead to damage, and can even cause a fire.
- Check all windows to make sure they close fully, lock completely, and seal properly against weather. Any cracked panes will need to be replaced. consider applying weather stripping around the edges.
- Just like windows, inspect all doors that open to the outside to make sure they are secure with no drafts. Also, these doors might benefit from weather stripping.
- Is your property equipped with working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors? Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous in the fall and winter, because windows will be closed.
These simple fall maintenance steps can prevent many emergencies from arising during the fall and winter at your rental property. If you are looking for a property management company that is ready to do this work for you, contact Real Property Management Chicago Group today!
