We’ve heard that April showers bring May flowers, but you have heard that ‘summer sun brings landlord fun’?

A guide and checklist to ensuring your property is summer ready.

Fun might be stretching it, but part of your job is to maintain the property you own and check up on your rental, and there’s no better time to do this than spring!

Winter can really wreak havoc on buildings and the areas around them.  No matter what the size of the building, look for these tell-tale signs of winter damage.We encourage all property owners to visit their property this spring and use this checklist as a guide to checking on their property.

Serious maintenance issues like leaks and burst pipes fall to the landlord. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to complete the repairs or hire someone to do them.

Below is a checklist of things property managers and landlords should definitely check out this spring.

Start with an Exterior Inspection

To begin your spring maintenance, walk around the exterior of the property to look for any winter-related damage. During your inspection, you should:

• Do a perimeter check of the building’s foundation. Look for any types of cracks or damage and address problems right away. These types of issues can quickly get worse, so don’t wait.
• Check for broken shingles visible from the ground, then check the roof and siding for deterioration, such as any loose shingles or flashing and any missing. These problems could result in leaks, so better to deal with them right away if you can.
•  Look for gutter leaks; Any leak you find should be repaired immediately to prevent further damage. Clean the gutters make sure the gutters are free and clear.
• Test outdoor faucets. If water froze in the pipes of your outdoor faucets, they might leak, so you’ll need to get them repaired as soon as possible.
• Inspect driveway and walkways for cracks; freezing weather could cause cracking in driveways and walkways and repair them swiftly.
• Check patios and porches for any cracks, broken boards, loose railings or any number of other problems.
•  Take note of any rot. Wood siding, trim, fences, and decking are all places where you should look for rot.
• Inspect the lawn, garden, and surrounding foliage. Spring is a great time to prune branches that can block windows or overhang the roof later in the summer.

 The checklist may seem extensive, but we encourage landlords not to skip any steps; take it step by step.

To make it easier, we’ve added a printable version of the checklist accessible here!