Whatever the weather may be, the official start of autumn has nearly arrived. This change of seasons marks the need for fall maintenance at your rental property. Be sure to check in with your tenants, address indoor and outdoor maintenance, and take a moment for those annual exterior property inspections. Learn more in this video.
With autumn just around the corner, now is a great time to address your property’s needs before cold, wet weather makes it more difficult. Performing routine maintenance will ensure that your property is protected from seasonal elements like rain, snow, sleet, and freezing weather, so take a moment to address those maintenance issues that were put on the back burner during the busy summer months.
By being proactive with your annual and seasonal inspections and conducting regular preventative maintenance, you can help keep your rental property in tip-top condition and can make expensive items like your roof or furnace last much longer, which means a more profitable property long-term.
This fall, be sure to cover everything on this fall property maintenance infographic to ensure your property is prepped for the coming season.
Learn more: Safety Checklist for Rental Properties
Tenant Check-In
Seasonal or fall maintenance is a great time to inspect the unit for issues and check in with your tenants to see if there are any issues that need addressing. Send a text or email asking them how things are going and if they have any questions or concerns. Many tenants are more likely to discuss problems with a prompt.
Indoor Maintenance
Check doors and windows for weather stripping, sweep the chimney, and animal-proof your chimneys to prevent nesting critters. Ensure that heating systems are functional and homes are protected from pests or animals nesting.
Outdoor Maintenance
Remove tripping hazards and any dangers in communal areas. Tend to stairwells, walkways, and patios to ensure that handrails can support a person who may slip. Trim trees to prevent debris in pathways and on roofs. Reset irrigation systems as needed, and winterize sprinkler and irrigation systems.
Exterior Property
Clean all gutters and animal-proof attics and basements. Cold weather brings small animals indoors. Caulk small holes & cover large holes with hardware cloth. Damaged insulation from critters or overflowing gutters can create long-term roof damage that is costly and challenging to repair.
Hire A Professional
Have a professional inspect big-ticket items like your HVAC system and your roof. These should be checked yearly to ensure that minor damage is dealt with proactively.
Although it might seem like a lot to attend to this season, most fall maintenance can be done quickly and without spending much money. Most importantly, remember that maintaining a good relationship with your tenants is key as colder months approach. Establishing open communication with your tenants will significantly increase the likelihood that issues will be reported sooner, and in the cold temperatures especially, a prompt repair can prevent significant —and costly— damage down the road.
This post was originally published in September 2022 and has since been updated.
Another thing I highly recommend doing is protecting pipes against devastating pipe bursts and leaks.
Yes! As the season’s temp drops, this is key to preventing a huge (and expensive headache). We have some additional information on that topic here: Steps to Take for a Burst or Frozen Pipe
I like this a lot. Something else I usually add to my fall checklist is checking roof flashing and chimney caps. Gutters get attention (as they should), but loose flashing or a missing cap can let water in and cause leaks that don’t show up until it’s too late. Quick check, huge payoff.