Your rental property is one of the biggest financial commitments that you will ever make so it makes sense to make sure that you are doing everything you can to look after it. However many of us are guilty of putting off doing those annoying little jobs that aren’t urgent enough to demand our immediate attention but still need doing.
With that in mind, I have made a list of six things that you should make time to attend to before these little jobs become big jobs.
Windows
In the face of soaring gas prices, many people are trying to keep their gas usage down this year. As a result condensation and the mould it goes hand in hand with are more of a problem this year than ever before. Make sure that you speak to your tenants about wiping condensation off of their windows frequently in order to avoid giving mould the chance to grow.
As window cleaners, sensibly, don’t tend to work in icy weather, suggest that they give the ground floor windows a quick wipe too to make sure that they are maximising the amount of natural light that can get into your property and to ensure that they are not having to look out through dirty windows.
Carpets
Wiping paws and cleaning up the mess that muddy paws can leave straight after walks is the best way to stop it from becoming ingrained in your carpets. Suggest to your tenants that they remove their own shoes at the door too. Having the carpets in your rental property regularly cleaned is the best way to ensure that they stay in tip-top condition.
Paint
Windowsills, front doors, stairs and bannisters are often subject to a lot of wear and tear. Giving them a quick lick of paint is a relatively quick and easy way to revitalise tired areas in your property. Regularly performing small maintenance tasks like this can increase tenant satisfaction which can lead to more long term tenants and therefore less rental voids.
Gutters
Windy weather can blow leaves, moss and autumn leaves into your gutters. They can cause blockages that can cause both damage and flooding so it is a good idea to ensure that you inspect these regularly and clear any blockages as necessary.
Boiler
Even if your tenants are still managing to hold off on turning the central heating on there will come a time when they need to switch it on this Winter. Make sure they don’t get a nasty surprise and avoid having to pay an emergency call out fee by having your boiler serviced annually by a certified professional. Then you can relax safe in the knowledge that your tenants will have hot water and heating on tap whenever you want them.
If you are considering letting a property in Chelmsford, Essex and would like some more advice on how to look after your rental property please give me a call on 01245 202 579 and I will be happy to advise you.
