By now, you’ve probably stocked up on sunscreen, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats. But while you’re staying cool and comfortable this summer, have you made similar plans for the rental properties you manage?
Here’s how to ensure your properties under management – and the tenants in them – stay safe, cool, and cared for.
But first, you will need a rock-solid works pitch for property owners to agree to your requests for repairs, upgrades, or improvements. This article covers that too.
After all, the best tenants take care of their properties and pay on time. And all great tenants are happy tenants first!
Check the HVAC system
A working air conditioner is a summer essential. Bring in a professional to inspect for leaks, strange noises, and weak airflow. Don’t forget to have them clean or replace air filters (or do this yourself if you're handy!).
If the unit is over 15 years old, it may be time to replace it – it’s likely inefficient and prone to breakdowns, and not conducive to keeping tenants in place.
Keep bugs out
With summer comes an unwelcome surge in insect activity. To keep bugs out, have a pest control specialist check that window screens are in place and intact, seal doors and windows, and consider treating lawns and garden areas with insect repellent products.
Besides causing potential damage, an insect-pestered property has less chance of attracting better tenants who value their comfort, will pay their due, and prolong their stay where they feel at home.
Secure while they’re away
Summer often means travel, and an empty property can become a target for break-ins.
Talk to your landlord about installing a modern home security system – it helps protect both their investment and your tenant’s home. Many options on the market today come with mobile apps, so both tenants and property managers can check in on a unit remotely.
Not only does this improve security, it also gives tenants peace of mind while they’re away enjoying the season.
Make maintenance reporting easy
A straightforward, reliable fault reporting and tracking system is one of the best ways to protect your property from summer-related damage. Encourage tenants to report issues early, and make it easy for them to do so.
PayProp’s built-in maintenance hub allows tenants to quickly and easily submit and track maintenance requests. Property managers can handle tickets and coordinate repairs directly from their dashboard, while landlords receive automated updates on status changes along the way.
The PayProp Property account makes property improvement and fixes easy without having to request funding for authorized work first. It’s a sub-account to your PayProp client account where you can hold an agreed-upon amount of a landlord’s rental income in reserve for necessary property-related expenses like emergency repairs.
When you’ve agreed on a repair job with the landlord, these funds can immediately be accessed and paid out to contractors as needed, without having to wait for the next rent cycle or chasing funds from the landlord – because you already have them!
Educate tenants on summer safety
Use your lease agreements, welcome packs, or community bulletin boards to include guidance on safe use of pools, barbecues, patios, and fire pits.
The City of Toronto offers these strategies to landlords and property managers to manage extreme temperatures:
- Designate an air-conditioned common room as a cooling area
- Post updates on the tenant notification board about cooling spaces
- Share tips for keeping units cool, like keeping blinds closed during peak sun hours
Have you summer-proofed your rental properties yet?
Just like people, rental properties need a little seasonal prep to beat the heat.
With a little proactive maintenance and some well-motivated upgrades, you can protect your landlords’ investments, reduce tenant complaints, and keep those emergency calls to a minimum.
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