Landlord 101: Spring Cleaning Checklist

Robert C. White & Company • March 8, 2021

Exterior Focus: What's Important for Spring Cleaning?

Believe it or not, Spring is right around the corner! March 20th marks the official start of the season, which means you’ve got about 10 days to start planning for outdoor maintenance at your rental property. It’s just a rental though, is curb appeal really that important? Of course it is! The exterior of your property is the first thing potential renters notice, and I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” When tenants like what they see on arrival, it primes them for purchase, even when they find something they don’t like as much inside! A well groomed exterior also makes marketing pictures stand out and can allow you to generate extra revenue from rents.

Don’t skip any of the items on this Spring cleaning checklist. You’ll make current tenants happier, fill vacancies faster, and be able to demand higher rates with some seasonal improvements. We’ve identified 7 key areas of focus for you, let’s see what those are!

Inspect Gutters, Siding, and Seals

Winter storms come year after year bringing high winds, freezing temperature, plus snow and ice! In New England, a lot of the exterior wear and tear on a property comes from the harsher winter months. Spring then, is the perfect time to check that siding, seals, gutters, and even shingles are affixed properly. Patch and repair any damage now so it doesn't snowball into larger issues next winter! Your current tenants and prospects don’t want to see parts and pieces hanging off the side of the home, so make the necessary repairs and keep these items in working order.

Take Care of Loose Limbs and Hazards

Loose limbs and dead trees are a major eyesore for tenants as well as a potential hazard. Clearing them isn’t always the easiest task though, as large branches and trees can be dangerous to remove without professional oversight. If necessary, higher a tree trimming company to come out and take care of scraggly branches and dead trees. Also consider trimming hedges and shrubs so they won’t be overgrowing on entryways, blocking light through windows, or hanging precariously over the driveway!

Get Grass Trimmed and Seeded

Keep your grass cut, and as green as it can be! At most residential rentals, the tenant is responsible for lawn care, but with multi-unit buildings, that’s less likely. If the yard is yellowed/brown, have it reseeded or at least fertilized to get some growth back. On the other end of the spectrum, where the grass may be tall enough for a lion to hide unseen, get it trimmed and consider hiring a contractor to keep it that way on a weekly basis! Having common areas that are useful and attractive can boost your bottom line.

Examine Porches, Decks, and Overhangs

As things thaw out, there’s another opportunity for you to check crawl spaces, porches, decks, and overhangs. When snow and ice sit up against the side of your home or on top of wooden structures, they are slowly doing damage. Wood expands and contracts but also rots over time, so check boards and beams to make sure things are structurally sound. It’s also smart to close any gaps/openings beneath porches and decks so that rodents and other animals don’t find their way inside and create a home for themselves!

Wash & Seal Walkways + Driveways

The springtime brings sunshine and is a good time to check paved and concrete surfaces like walking paths and driveways. Tenants don’t want to walk over uneven and potentially dangerous surfaces...and landlords don’t want to be held responsible if they fall. To avoid the headache, take care of serious cracks and potholes by resealing. Where there is dirt, grime or weeds growing through, just a power washing job may do the trick. Either way, you’ll want things to look nice for the best first impression.

Clean Flower Beds & Yard Debris

While weeding and general yard pick-up are probably the least exciting item on this list, they are necessary to keep current tenants happy and entice potential tenants to close. When common areas are well maintained, it shows that the property manager or landlord cares for their clients. Again, curb appeal is the first impression, so make it count!

Walk Fencing and Property Boundaries

If you’ve got a fence or natural boundary at your rental property, you’re probably using it as a selling point, as you should! Most tenants have pets or young children, and in both cases, having an enclosed yard is a boost. At the start of Spring, walk the boundary at your properties and assess damage to rock walls or fencing. Fix and repair broken and fallen pieces so you can get the most revenue possible.

A Final Word

Owners that don’t use a smart check-list like this tend to overlook things they meant to take care of when the weather got nicer. In the long run, this usually means more time and money on maintenance, less satisfied tenants, and more difficulty re-renting. Don’t be one of those owners! Get focused and complete the items on your Spring cleaning check-list then. Peace of mind feels great.

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