It’s a new year, and we’ve created an annual property maintenance checklist to help you prepare your rental property for the year ahead. We’ve provided tools and tips for each season to help make this process as easy as possible for you. If you find yourself needing help tackling this list along the way, just contact our team. In addition to working to find the right tenants for your property, we also manage all ongoing property maintenance. It’s all part of our goal to make your property management as stress-free as possible! 

Seasonal Property Maintenance Checklist 

Each season can bring about its own set of maintenance issues for your rental property, so we’ve put together a checklist – along with some tips – to help ensure that your rental is kept in pristine condition for your renters. 

Winter: 

We’ve already written about winterizing your property, so this list will serve as a slightly shorter version (and helpful reminder!) of how to prepare your home for the coldest months of the year.  

• Insulation: It’s a good time to check all the windows and doors for any leaks and cracks in the seals. It’s also a good time to check that there’s enough insulation in the attic to help improve your home’s heating efficiency.  
• Pipes: In preparation for the cold, it’s important to winterize your pipes. Remove garden hoses from faucets and drain your sprinkler system. Even buried irrigation lines can freeze, so this will help avoid busted pipes and cracked faucets. 
• Gutters: Fall in the Sacramento area is both stunning, and also a lot of work! Even though you’ve already cleared your gutters in fall, it’s always worth checking again in winter to make sure there’s no leaks that could cause water damage to your home’s roof and exterior. A guarded gutter system will also help minimize maintenance costs in the future. 
• Decks/Patios/Entryways: It’s always a good idea to check these areas to ensure they’re free from leaks, rot or damage. Also check all railings to make sure they’re secure enough to support someone if they slip. 

Spring: 

Time for some spring cleaning! Winter can be particularly tough on rental properties, so spring is often a very busy season for property maintenance. And since the weather is often very mild, it’s also a great time to get work done both inside and outside.

• Roof: Do a quick visual inspection: are there any cracked or loose shingles? Any visible leaks? Any nails popping up? All of these issues will need to be addressed to keep your roof in peak condition. 
• Chimney: While you’re checking your roof and gutters, take a look at your chimney to make sure there’s no vegetation growing between.
• Windows: Condensation inside the glass during winter months likely means your window seal has been compromised. Make sure to check the caulking and weather stripping to see if that or the glass needs to be replaced. 
• Air Conditioner: Now is the time to make sure your unit is working before summer hits. Make sure to change the filter, and also check your hose connections for any leaks.

Summer: 

Beat the heat! Luckily you’ve already done a lot of the heavy lifting with your spring maintenance, but there are still a few things you’ll want to address around your home during the summer. 

• Pipes: Examine pipes to make sure there’s no condensation or dripping. 
• Doors: Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as necessary. 
• Pests: Check the exterior of your home for any holes that could be an entry point for small pests and birds, and make sure to seal those up.
• Plants: Here in California, unfortunately summer also means fire season, so now is a good time to check your property for any plants or foliage that could be considered a fire hazard. It’s also a good time to check your fire extinguishers to ensure they’re in working order. 
• Chimneys: Sweep any wood burning fireplace and inspect for any problems. Check your chimney cap for any caulking, and check for any blockages.
• Ducts & Vents: Disconnect your clothes dryer duct and vacuum lint and areas surrounding your dryer’s vent hood. Clean bathroom fans and air condition vents too. 

Fall:

As summer’s heat begins to wane, here are some of the top things to help you prepare your home for the fall. 

• Furnace: Handle any tune ups needed, and make sure to change your furnace filters too. If your HVAC includes a built-in humidifier, don’t forget to change that filter too. 
• Trees & Plants: Once summer’s growth cycle is over, fall is the best time to prune your plants and trees. Make sure to keep branches and limbs at least 3 feet from your house to prevent moisture from dripping onto your roof and potential damage to your home during high winds or a storm. 
• Drainage: Check the soil around your home’s foundation and make sure it slopes away from your house to ensure that water won’t soak the soil around the foundation. 
• Gutters/Drains: Clogged gutters and drains can lead to expensive repairs, so make sure to remove all leaves, twigs and gunk. Replace any worn or damaged gutters and tighten gutter hangers and brackets. 
• Windows: Same as you did in spring, make sure to check your windows for any cracks or leaks and seal those up with caulking. 

We know your rental property is a valuable investment, and it’s important to keep that investment profitable! Tackling this checklist of routine property maintenance will help ensure the ongoing health of your property. Need help working through this list? We can help! Just contact our team and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free, personalized quote!