Tips for Caring for Rental Properties in Florida

When it comes to living in Florida, there are plenty of extras that need to be considered. That list becomes even more important when, as the homeowner, you’re renting out a property. To help get a better understanding of what those needs are, we compiled a list of tips for the maintenance and upkeep of your rental.

Regular Maintenance Is Key

There’s nothing worse for a tenant than a landlord who is slow to respond. Whether that is from being hard to get in touch with or taking their time to get something done, it’s unprofessional. Of course, not every issue is an emergency; However, getting repairs done in a timely manner ensures not only the happiness of a tenant but the longevity of the home itself.

A good example of something that would need to be done ASAP is fixing or replacing an inoperable air conditioning unit in July. Something that can be scheduled is a window cleaning, pressure washing, solar panel cleaning, or gutter cleaning service. Regular maintenance will often keep you ahead of emergency situations, and your tenants happy.

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Preparing For Weather

No matter where in Florida you live, the extreme weather has an impact on everyone. From the stifling, humid days of summer to the uncomfortable rain during hurricane season, it would seem that residents have a lot to plan for. Especially if you live near the ocean and the salty breeze that comes with it. The same goes for homeowners and their preparations for the unpredictable weather forecast. 

Here are a few household improvements that are meant to make these moves by mother nature easier to handle:

• Pressure washing the exterior of buildings and sidewalks
• Ensure you have working storm shutters
• Clear gutters of debris
• New air conditioning filters
• Roof and solar panel cleaned
• Air leak sealer
• Up-to-date insulation
• Foundation inspection

Pest Control

The number one “ick” factor for tenants everywhere is seeing a bug. Many people either have their own nightmare tale of creepy crawlies in a home or they know someone who does. It’s a negative experience for those who live in a place with bugs, but it’s also terrible for a homeowner. Once these insects have taken up visible residence in a building, it seems nearly impossible to get them out. 

Luckily, with regularly scheduled sprays, this should not be a problem. Getting ahead with pest control could mean saving thousands later on. 

Landscaping

Some property owners require tenants to mow their own lawns. That’s fine, but there is much more to a yard than just keeping the grass short. Things such as weed whacking, edging, leaf-blowing, and bush trimming go beyond the scope of a tenant. Those services also require tools that someone paying rent may not have. Why would they, since they don’t own the home? 

Having yourself or landscapers come by and make sure the yard looks good can also have a dedicated set of eyes catch issues. A low-hanging branch near a roof might be missed during day-to-day living, but a professional could spot and take care of it before a situation arises.

Water Heater

It’s all fun and games until you’re forced to take a cold shower. Something many forget about until it’s an issue is the water heater. On a positive note, the reason it’s easy to forget is a unit doesn’t require much attention throughout the course of its life. To take advantage of that kind of lifespan, here are a few things you can do for the water heater:

• Drain the tank quarterly to avoid excessive debris.
• Set the thermostat to 120 degrees.
• Insulate and keep the surrounding area clear.
• Inspect the relief valve and anode rod annually.

Keeping The Outside Of The Building In Top Condition

Routine maintenance like having your windows cleans makes all of the difference, as well as pressure washing the exteriors of your home. Especially if you are near the ocean and close to constant salt spray, which can eat away at your home’s exterior.  A professional company like Squeegee Squad can get the windows cleared, the home and driveway pressure washed, gutters cleared, the roof or solar panels cleaned, and more. As a homeowner, it’s always wise to work smarter and not harder. This way, efforts can be saved for bigger rental property management projects to come.

Find Your Local Squeegee Squad Here!