Prepare Your Rental Property for Fall: Cleaning Checklist for Tenants
Fall cleaning is a crucial transition from spring cleaning, as leaves change color and air temperatures cool off. Tenants can prepare their rental property for colder temperatures with a specific fall cleaning checklist, making it an ideal time to switch gears.
1. Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts
Falling leaves can quickly fill gutters and drains with debris, causing water damage or roof leakage in winter. It’s crucial to clear gutters thoroughly before winter storm season using ladders, gloves, and a scoop to remove all unwanted material.
2. Conduct Draft Checks on Windows and Doors
Drafty windows and doors can negatively impact energy efficiency and increase heating costs during winter. Regular inspection of caulking and seals, as well as replacement of weatherstripping, is essential to prevent cold air from entering and maintain warm indoor air.
3. Perform Tests on Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Renting property can be a risky business and safety is of the utmost importance. To keep yourself and others safe, conduct regular safety inspections of smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, check that batteries haven’t expired, consider changing outdated units. This simple step could save lives!
4. Services Heating Systems for Maintenance
Before temperatures dip below freezing point, schedule a professional heating inspection of your rental property’s heating system, including furnaces, boilers, and any other appliances used for heat. Routine inspection can help prevent breakdowns while ensuring an effective winter run from your system.
5. Maintain and Store Outdoor Furniture
As summer winds down and outdoor furniture begins to gather dust for storage, now is an opportune moment to give it its annual cleaning and storage treatment. Use mild detergent to clear away dirt and debris before leaving it out to dry before covering or placing it away from direct sunlight in a protected location.
6. Take Note of Exterior Lighting
As days become shorter, safety and security become even more vital. Replace any burnt-out bulbs in outdoor lighting fixtures, install motion detectors or timers for extra convenience and peace of mind during darker nights.
7. Prepare Landscaping
Fall is the ideal time of year to prepare your landscaping for winter, by trimming overgrown shrubs and bushes, raking leaves, and clearing away dying or dead plants from your garden beds. Don’t forget the benefits of mulching throughout winter as an additional moisture retention strategy and to protect plant roots.
8. Deep Clean Interior Spaces
Fall is an excellent opportunity to deep clean your rental home before the busy holiday season arrives. Focus on cleaning high surfaces, carpets, upholstery, and baseboards in particular.
Tenants should incorporate fall cleaning into their seasonal maintenance to prepare their rental properties for colder months. A comprehensive checklist can help clean gutters, service heating systems, and create a comfortable living environment during fall and winter, which tenants can perform themselves.