Maintaining your property can be a challenge, especially when the season crosses over into the fall. You need to make sure that you maintain your property through all weather conditions, regardless of the work involved.
1- Gutters
Gutters can become clogged with leaves during autumn, so you will need to make sure that you clean these out regularly. This will improve the rental appeal of the property, as well as preventing flood. As the leaves clog up the gutter, it can prevent water from flowing properly and this is the last thing you need when you have a property to run. Your property manager can also handle this issue, by sending out a designated cleaning team to render the issue.
2- Heating
The main problem that many property owners experience is heating. During summer, the pilot to the heating appliance can often burn out and unfortunately you do not realize this until the colder weather approaches. Make sure that you check the heating within the property before fall approaches, so you have time to make the repairs before the tenant suffers. Be sure to check every heating unit, replacing the pilot lights as required to make sure that the house will fully warm through during fall.
3- Plumbing and Piping
Winter can often freeze pipes, and the water inside expands to give you a range of leaks. The best time to check for damaged pipes is just before winter. Weak pipes are easily spotted if you have a quality maintenance team on your hands, and they can repair the issue before it causes further damage. You should also check the main appliances for plumbing also, to make sure that no problems will occur.
4- Safety Precautions
Now is a great time to prepare your property for the fall. Simple precautions such as purchasing anti-slip door mats and double glazed windows could greatly benefit your properties for when the cold comes. It will mean that the property is more cost effective to run, as well as reducing the bills for the tenant. Little things like this can go a long way into maintaining your property, and preparation is always the key to success when dealing with the forthcoming winters.
By Siobhan K. Snaith
Since 1946 the Carnahan name has had a reputation for honest and ethical Real Estate Property Management services in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Burbank/Glendale, Los Angeles, Westside and Conejo Valley areas.
The reason for our success is helping owners like you when they need it. Below is a partial list of property management services we provide to help you protect your real estate investment.
- Tenant placement
- Tenant screening (including: credit check, landlord and employment verification, social security trace report, California eviction check and criminal check)
- Regular property inspections
- Accounting and landlord bill payment
- Monthly financial reporting
- Maintenance service and supervision (we use only proven independent vendors)
- Collections
- Evictions
- We supply all the necessary forms to meet California’s Landlord/Tenant laws
- 24 hour emergency phone service
- Advertising to the broadest tenant base possible
Call or e-mail us today for more information. We’re ready to get started!