Top 12 SummerTime Property Management Projects

July 03, 2023

Summer Time Property Management Projects

Summer is a distinct season for property managers and a time when a lot of big projects must get completed.

Below we offer our list of 12 most important summer time projects which landlords should be focusing on.

From renovations to repairs to inspecting and cleaning, property managers, maintenance crews and landlords have their plates full. It’s moving season, and before new renters arrive, you’ll need to inspect and repair the essentials before they move in.

Hopefully, you have the budget, staffing, and digital platform available to get these big projects completed well and on time and avoid extra costs.

And as for do it yourself projects, roofs, floors, windows, driveway repairs, and landscaping are often doable by property maintenance staff. The more inspection and repair work you perform, the fewer visits you’ll need from high-priced specialist contractors and technicians.

Don’t Rely on Tenant Reports

For the sake of your rental property assets which provide your income, you should avoid relying on tenant reports of the property. They may say everything’s just fine, but in fact, they’re not qualified to evaluate and understand the real issues.

Some tenants will avoid reporting issues because they fear being blamed, but property managers must be up on the condition of the roof, windows, appliances and more. When it’s all said and done, it’s your property and you’re liable for costs.

And there are immediate and long-term costs to consider which impact your long-term profit and property value.

Your Summer Project List

Here are a few tasks your team should be tackling this summer:

new flooring and flooring repairs (rental house flooring often reaches its expiry date which means you can move to a new type perhaps vinyl or engineered wood)
inspecting and repairing roofs (there are many types of roofs requiring different types of repairs, many of which are hazardous and take time and planning)
inspecting and cleaning exterior windows and screens (letting windows go translates to replacement which is expensive and no tenant likes bugs entering the home)
eves and gutter cleaning (gutters are too often plugged with debris and leaves which rainwater is going where it shouldn’t to cause damage to exterior materials)
fixing wood dry rot and trim damage (wood on sills, decks, and fascia will rot over time, wet and dry)
painting (a new coat of exterior paint can help raise your asking rent)
entry stairway repairs (safety first as broken step boards or concrete must be fixed to adhere to safety regulations)
appliance maintenance and HVAC system inspection and cleaning (summer puts a massive strain on your HVAC system and an HVAC technician needs to check it out)
landscaping cleanup and tree trimming (removing tree branches that could damage your rental home, clearing brush around the home keeps it safe from pests and fire)
driveway and sidewalk heaves (winter frost and moisture heaves create tripping hazards and will seriously lower your asking rent if it’s coming for renewal)
water heater temperature and plumbing issues (water heaters get old, make strange noises and can even shake the pipes, and needs to be serviced or replaced when it hits their expiry date)
termite and pest infestation (unseen and unheard they create a big cost when discovered)

Your Joy of Ownership and Prosperity

Fixing your rental units and keeping up on maintenance reflects how much you respect your own real estate assets and your tenants.

Tenants renting in properties that aren’t maintained will not appreciate a rent hike and may report you to the local housing authorities and that will go on your record with them.

A thorough summer inspection where you can get at everything and have time to fix issues, will leave you with fewer issues for your spring and fall inspections. And it keeps tenants feeling appreciated.

Summer is hot but it’s an ideal time to complete big apartment renovations or house renovations, and make big enhancements to the value of your property so you can maximize profits.