SPRING PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Protect Your Property & Keep It Looking Its Best

Spring is an ideal time for property owners to tackle preventative maintenance. After a wet Bunbury winter, small issues such as blocked gutters, deteriorating sealants, moisture problems and overgrown gardens can quickly become larger and more expensive problems.

For landlords, good maintenance has another benefit — a clean, comfortable and well-presented property is more attractive to prospective tenants and can help protect its long-term rental appeal.

START AT THE TOP

Clean gutters and downpipes and check that stormwater can drain freely. While you’re there, look for damaged gutters, loose roofing, deteriorated flashings and signs of water entry.

Clearing gutters before summer is also an important part of reducing accumulated leaves and other combustible material around the home.

CHECK FOR MOISTURE

Winter can reveal problems that aren’t obvious during the warmer months.

Check ceilings, walls, window surrounds and cupboards for water staining, mould, bubbling paint or unusual moisture. Early investigation of a small leak can prevent considerably more expensive damage later.

SERVICE YOUR AIR CONDITIONING

Don’t wait for the first 35°C day.

Clean filters and arrange servicing where required so air conditioners are operating efficiently before summer. For rental properties, effective cooling is also a feature many tenants value highly.

GIVE THE GARDEN SOME ATTENTION

Trim overgrown trees and shrubs, remove weeds, check reticulation and repair damaged lawn or garden areas.

Also ensure vegetation isn’t growing against gutters, roofs, fences or the building itself.

A tidy garden can make an enormous difference to street appeal, whether you’re retaining tenants, advertising a rental or preparing a property for sale.

CHECK EXTERNAL PAINT & SEALANTS

Walk around the property and look for peeling paint, cracked render, deteriorated silicone, gaps around windows and doors, and timber beginning to weather.

Repairing these areas early helps protect the building from further deterioration.

CHECK FLEXIBLE WATER HOSES

Inspect flexible braided hoses beneath sinks, basins and toilets for rust, corrosion, fraying or deterioration.

A failed flexible hose can release a substantial amount of water very quickly, so replacing deteriorated hoses before they fail can prevent major water damage.

TEST SAFETY ITEMS

Spring is also a useful reminder to check important safety and security items.

Make sure smoke alarms, external lighting, gates, locks and other safety equipment are functioning correctly. Pool owners should also regularly check that gates self-close and self-latch and that the barrier remains compliant.

DON’T FORGET THE LITTLE THINGS

Loose door handles, sticking locks, damaged flyscreens, dripping taps, cracked sealant and tired-looking fittings may individually seem minor.

Together, however, they can make a property feel poorly maintained.

For an investment property, promptly addressing these smaller items helps create a better experience for tenants while protecting the presentation and condition of the property.

A LITTLE MAINTENANCE CAN SAVE A LOT

Preventative maintenance isn’t simply about making a property look good.

Regularly identifying and addressing smaller issues can protect the property’s value, reduce the likelihood of major repairs and keep investment properties attractive to current and future tenants.

A well-maintained property is generally a better-performing property — whether you’re planning to hold, rent or eventually sell.