seasonal changes can affect your property

For most of us living in the eastern part of the United States, the changing seasons mean unpredictable and sometimes, severe weather. In Pennsylvania, the climate varies greatly from season to season. Each season can bring specific challenges. Because changing weather can negatively affect your property, you want to be diligent when it comes to prepping and protecting your rental property. The single best way to do this- Quarterly inspections. Having your property thoroughly inspected each quarter can help prevent costly damage — saving you time, money, and stress.

It may be hard to check on your property regularly, but it is imperative that you or someone you trust, does. If you have regular property management services, check with your management team to incorporate seasonal inspections.

Visit your property quarterly

As an investor, you are (hopefully) in the business of making money! Therefore, losing money on property repairs due to neglect is not the best game plan for building your wealth. It pays to assess your property regularly and fix issues as soon as they arise — this will prevent larger repair bills and damage to the building. Quarterly inspections keep small repairs from becoming big repairs and you may also identify needs your tenants may not have shared with you. When visiting your property quarterly, check for these items:

• Seasonal Repairs — Clogged gutters, poor drainage, broken windows or cracked glass, trip and fall hazards, missing roofing materials or damaged siding are just some of the major items to watch out for.

• Tenant Violations — Aside from protecting the health and wellness of the building, quarterly inspections allow for eyes on the tenants. You can look for lease violations, safety hazards, pest issues, unapproved pets and additional unapproved occupancy.

• Tenant Relations — Quarterly inspections are a great time to conduct tenant relation and retention methods. Your property manager can track tenant concerns, the repairs needed, and the tenant’s level of satisfaction with their unit. Showing tenants that you care about the condition of the property encourages them to be on the lookout for issues with the property also. They are more likely to tell you when there’s a maintenance problem at the property if it is obvious you will do something about it.

what to look for in each season

• Winter — Prepare for heavy snowfall and ice accumulation

  • Check for drafts and areas not heated properly which may cause frozen pipes

  • Make sure each unit is heated and educate tenants to use the dedicated heat sources

  • Have a plan to drip faucets when extreme weather continues for several days

  • Check for ice and snow accumulation hazards

  • Close up any holes in the foundation so rodents will not try to nest inside

• Spring/Summer — Prepare for the possibility of large amounts of rain

  • Make roof and siding repairs as needed

  • Put a fresh coat of stain or paint on your porch, fence or decking

  • Prune your bushes and trees

  • Cut back any branches hanging over the roof

  • Ensure your landscaping is graded to direct water away from your foundation

• Fall — Prepare for leaf cleanup and shrubbery control

  • Trim bushes and clean up leaves that cause drainage issues in the winter

  • Check windows/doors for cracks or areas of heat loss leading into winter and establish a plan for snow removal

  • Service your heating system

  • Clean out gutters

This is a great time to take photos to keep for your own records. They will serve you well later on as a reference point if something goes awry at your property.

Don’t ignore the problems uncovered

Checking in on your property quarterly will result in you having to spend money. You are doing the right thing by being diligent with your property’s condition. You can be frugal when it comes to cosmetic upgrades, but don’t defer maintenance! In the long run, spending a little in preparation or prevention will save you more than repairing costly damage. Do not ignore the problems uncovered during your inspection. By staying ahead and employing quarterly inspections, you are on the right track to maximizing your cash flow and minimizing your property’s maintenance needs.

This information may not be used as a substitute for legal advice and you should consult your attorney for legal advice if you have any questions relating to this advisor guide.