It’s amazing how quickly a year goes by. With our busy schedules, it often seems tenants are asking to renew just days after they sign their lease! Whether or not your tenants choose to rent for another year, this is a great opportunity to take care of some annual housekeeping. Establish a routine to ensure that you complete the following tasks by the time a lease is up.
1. Check the Locks
Frequently, for one reason or another, tenants choose to replace the locks. Make sure that you always have an updated key. You’ll save everyone a lot of frustration when maintenance needs to enter the home. It’s best to get this done earlier in the lease term.
2. Inspect the Smoke Alarms
This can be done anytime during the lease term, as long as you check the alarms on a regular basis. Make sure that all batteries are fresh, and if the unit is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, test those as well.
3. Clean Chimneys and Gutters
If the property has a fireplace, make sure that the chimney is swept. The risk of chimney fires greatly decreases with regular cleaning. If there are no fireplaces in the home, consider replacing the furnace filters at this time. Clean filters provide much more efficient heating.
Gutters also need to be cleared regularly to reduce the risk of flooding and keep your property in the best shape possible.
These seasonal tasks ought to be done at the appropriate times and should not be put off until the end of the lease if possible.
4. Complete a Walkthrough
If your tenants do choose to renew, be sure to schedule a walk-through of the home. This is your chance to see whether or not the property is still in acceptable condition. Ask the tenants if there are any maintenance requests they’d like to make, and voice any concerns you have regarding the state of the home.
Establishing regular routines is vital to a successful property management experience. If you’re interested in becoming a landlord but these tasks seem like too much to manage, Keyrenter is here to help. If you are interested in learning how we can keep up with the day-to-day details of managing your properties, call Keyrenter today at (844) KEY-RENT!