Summer is here and if you live in Las Vegas, you know firsthand how hot it can get. As a landlord, you’re responsible for maintaining your rental property and scheduling inspections to see if anything needs immediate attention. Inspections can be done at any time of the year, but are especially important before the summer months and warmer weather. So here are my six tips for preparing your rental property for summer.
Inspections And General Maintenance
Inspect your air conditioning system. The last thing any tenant or landlord wants to deal with is a faulty air conditioner on a hot summer day.
In Nevada, a home without air conditioning can be considered uninhabitable. Landlords may be required to abate rent or provide reasonable accommodations to a tenant if the property’s air conditioning is not working. Air conditioners generally last 10 to 20 years depending on the type of unit. It’s a good idea to have a licensed HVAC company perform an annual inspection on your rental property to ensure your system is functioning properly before the summer months.
Check interior airflow and ductwork. Most rooms in your rental property will have vents that deliver condition airflow. When inspecting your rentals, check if events in each room are delivering proper airflow. I instruct tenants to make sure they aren’t blocking vents with furniture and instruct them to close vents to rooms they may not be using in order to maximize airflow in the rooms they’re using more frequently.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. In Nevada, carbon monoxide detectors are only required on newly constructed homes, but requirements differ depending on which state your rental property is in. If your smoke detector or carbon monoxide detectors are not working, check the batteries. Some tenants will tamper with or take down smoke detectors if they are beeping. Ensuring detectors are working properly can help protect you from liability and potential legal issues.
Perform yard maintenance. If your property has a yard perform yard maintenance or hire a landscaping contractor, I like to have landscapers trim any trees or large bushes, check irrigation systems for any leaks, and most importantly, in the summer months adjust the sprinkler timer to make sure plants aren’t being over or under water.
Preventative Maintenance
This can include anything from repairing chip stucco, checking for water leaks, flushing water heaters, or replacing filtration as systems. Preventative maintenance can be a great opportunity to ensure everything in your rental property is functioning properly and reduces the chance of maintenance requests popping up during your lease term.
Preparing For Pests
In Nevada, landlords are only responsible for pest control within the first thirty days of occupancy. However, it’s important for landlords to try and prevent pests when homes are vacant. Hiring a professional pest control company to service your home can prevent future damage and additional costs. For properties I manage, I like to add pest control maintenance into the cost of the rent to make sure it’s being done by a licensed company.
Preparing your rental for the summer does require time, but it can lead to a positive renting experience and fewer maintenance requests. If you do not want to handle all this yourself as the property owner consider contact us to discuss our property management services.
