The leaves are turning, the weather is cooling, and somewhere out there holiday decorations are going on sale.
Yes, fall is quickly approaching.
And if you’re a landlord in York, it’s time for you to put the protection of your rental property into overdrive.
Preparing for the sometimes brutal fall and winter weather that many parts of York see each year is important if you want to save time and money on maintenance and repairs.
To keep your rental property in tip-top shape before the cold hits and problems ensue, check out these 5 property maintenance tips for fall.
Tips for Fall Property Maintenance in York, PA
1. Schedule Routine Property Inspections
One of the key tasks of rental property maintenance in York is conducting routine property inspections. Scheduling these every time the seasons change is a great way to ensure they are performed on a regular basis.
The first thing you should do when summer ends is check in with your tenants and see how they’re doing.
This shows your tenants you care about them as people. It also gives your tenants a chance to share with you any problems they’re experiencing.
Lastly, a fall property inspection gives you the chance to make sure your tenants are fulfilling their obligations.
Tackling these minor issues now will save you lots of time and money in the long run, and might even get you a lease renewal.
2. Clean the Roof and Rain Gutters
Cleaning rain gutters is no fun, but it has to be done. This is especially true if your rental property is in an area that gets cold enough for icicles to form at night.
Leaving debris such as leaves, dirt, and small tree branches in your rain gutters puts a lot of pressure on your property’s roof. It also blocks the natural flow of water, which is the main purpose of a rain gutter. If your gutters become clogged, they could end up pooling water and causing roof damage.
While you’re up there cleaning out the rain gutters, take a look at your property’s roof.
According to U.S Claim Experts, the main causes of roof damage include:
- Lack of proper maintenance and repair
- Wind damage, including ruined roofing materials and debris damage such as a tree branch breaking a window
- Extreme weather such as rain, hail, and snow
- Flashing that’s worn and allows for water leaks
All these things can happen easily during the fall and winter seasons.
Handling these issues before the weather turns crisp will save you the hassle of having to do roof work in the cold weather. It will also prevent costly damage to your rental.
3. Pack up Outdoor Items
One of the reasons your tenants may have been drawn to your rental property in the first place is because of its beautiful backyard oasis. After all, spring and summertime barbecues, holiday parties, and splashing in the sprinklers are all things people love to do when the weather is blazing hot.
However, as the weather cools down and fall quickly approaches, it’s time to put all that summertime fun away for the year. And this includes all outdoor items.
Patio furniture, outdoor grills, pool toys, and canopies can become damaged when the weather turns cold. Not to mention, any windstorms that blow through your area have the potential to blow these items into your property’s windows, down the street, or even into a neighboring yard, causing lots of damage.
When you’re at your property performing the fall inspection, remind your tenants to clean up the backyard to prevent any of this from happening.
4. Winterize the Pipes
Frozen pipes have the potential to ruin the exterior of your rental property.
As part of your fall property maintenance in York, drain all exterior faucets leading to your rental property so there’s no leftover water sitting in them that can freeze at night.
Adding to that, leave all faucets you drain slightly open. This way if there’s any leftover water you couldn’t drain that freezes on a cold night, there’ll be room for it to expand. This reduces the chances your pipes will burst.
And while you’re at it, make sure to turn off and drain the sprinkler system for the very same reasons. There should be a sprinkler valve making this task easy to do.
5. Conduct a Safety Check
Fall weather that turns into winter weather can create many safety hazards.
And, since it’s your legal responsibility as a rental property owner to make sure your tenants are living in a safe place, this maintenance falls onto your shoulders. After all, if tenant are injured because of an issue you were negligent about, you could be liable for damages.
Here are some of the safety hazards you should look for on the exterior of your rental property:
- Slip and fall hazards such as rotted stairs, loose decking, nail exposures, slippery surfaces, and the absence of proper handrails
- Small gaps leading into the house that wildlife can enter
- Cracking sidewalks or driveways that are prone to icing up
- Trees and shrubs that have extended branches that can cause harm to someone walking by
In addition, here are some of the interior safety hazards you should be aware of:
- Fire hazards in the fireplace or furnace due to clogged vents or flues
- Cracked window panes, faulty seals, and worn weather-stripping
- Furnace leaks that can become slip and fall hazards
- Space heaters that can become too hot and start fires
Depending on what happens, you may not be liable for any injuries that occur in your rental property. But to avoid the possibility, it’s best to double check that your tenants are safe.
When it comes to rental property maintenance in York, no matter what season it is, it’s important you know what to look for.
That’s why enlisting the help of an experienced York property management company can be so useful.
Our property managers understand your responsibilities as a landlord. We can help you with conducting proper seasonal inspections and saving you the time, money, and hassle that self-managing.
If you’re looking for qualified property management companies in York, PA, and want help with fall maintenance and more, contact York H-G Properties today.
