Spring in Phoenix – where the weather is great, swimming, golf, and hiking are high on the list, and baseball comes out swinging – not to mention blooming cacti and wildflowers. Life is more than playing, however, and as a rental property owner, it’s time to check off the Springtime maintenance list.

Interior Check-up: Schedule time with your tenants to do an interior maintenance check.

• Note the condition of the flooring and painted surfaces.
• Look for any evidence of mold or water damage.
• Check water faucets for leaks.
• Be on the lookout for unwanted pests.
• Check appliances.
• Clean the exhaust fans in the kitchen and bath.
• Replace smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries.
• Call a local HVAC business to schedule a cooling system tune-up and install window air conditioners if you don’t have central air. Yes, our beautiful spring is followed by the oh-so-hot days of summer.

Exterior Check-up: This usually requires more time than the interior check. While you don’t necessarily need to contact your tenant, courtesy begs to differ.

• Check window screens for damage – repair or replace as appropriate.
• Clean and repair private drives, sidewalks, decks, railing, etc. as needed.
• Even if your tenant does the mowing, there may be yard work to tackle, such as fertilizing the grass, trimming shrubs, and cutting back overgrowth.
• Check the condition of roofing, gutters, and downspouts.
• Clean the exterior siding. Does it need repairs? Is there exterior painting to do?
• Check the roof for loose shingles, which can lead to leaks.
• Check windows for damage or possible repainting.

Go over everything, making a note of which items will need work – whether small or extensive. Make a schedule for getting it accomplished before the hot days of June arrive. If any of these responsibilities belong to the tenant, have a friendly discussion about your expectations. If they are your responsibility, take care of issues as promptly as possible. Consider hiring professionals if your time and expertise are limited. Taking care of your property saves both time and money in the long run. Furthermore, a well-maintained property means happier tenants, and happier tenants result in fewer vacancies. Finally, a well-maintained property retains a higher value.

Does it sound overwhelming? Consider contracting with a property management company, such as Rentals America. Our staff is here to serve you. We treat your home as our own. We offer a full range of property management services tailored to your needs as a landlord or homeowner. We tailor our services to ensure that you have the highest level of service for your home. Contact us today.