San Mateo enjoys a fairly sunny and mild climate, but we do have our wet seasons, and we also have our confusing days of both unpleasant heat and dropping temps. Seasonal maintenance is an important way to keep your rental property in good shape, even if we don’t have dramatic seasonal swings weather-wise.
To protect your investment and provide a safe, comfortable environment for your tenants, seasonal maintenance is essential. Not only does regular upkeep prevent costly repairs in the future, but it also keeps your renters happy and reduces turnover.
Let’s take things season by season. Then, we’ll talk about the importance of tenant communication and vendor partnerships.
Seasonal Summer Maintenance for Your San Mateo Rental
Summer is perhaps our longest season in San Mateo. We have comfortable, dry days and lots of sunshine. Average high temperatures are in the mid-70s. At night, those temps might drop by about 10 degrees.
With tenants likely enjoying the outdoors, summer is the time to focus on the exterior of your property.
We recommend that your seasonal maintenance plans in the summer include:
- Inspecting and repairing any decks and patio space you might have. You’ll especially want to check out your wooden decks and outdoor tiles.
- If you have a pool, make sure routine maintenance is keeping it clean and the chemical balance is where you need it to be.
Inside the property, check the condition of window screens. If there are holes, you’ll want to repair them. Tenants are likely to want their windows open.
Fall Preparations and Maintenance
The autumn is generally pretty dry in San Mateo, but we know the rain is coming. So, take some time to prepare your property for the cooler weather that’s coming. This might include having your HVAC system inspected and repaired if there are any potential issues. Check and replace any weather-stripping on your doors and windows. This will help with heat efficiency once the furnace is turned on.
This is a good time to check your safety features such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Winter Preventative Maintenance in Rental Homes
Winter in San Mateo might not be harsh, but the wet season requires its own preparations. The most important thing you can do is to waterproof your property. Reapply any waterproof sealants where they might be needed. This is especially necessary around window sills and door frames. You’ll also want to insulate any exposed pipes. We rarely have temperatures drop below freezing, but on an exceptionally cold night, those exposed pipes could be vulnerable.
Clear all of your drains and gutters to prevent water accumulation that could come into your property.
Should your rental home in San Mateo be vacant during the winter, we recommend regular check-ins so you can be sure there isn’t any deferred maintenance.
Spring Preventative Maintenance Tasks in San Mateo
Spring marks the perfect time to assess any damage from winter’s rain and chill and prepare your property for warmer months ahead.
Clear out any debris from the gutters and downspouts. Inspect your roof for any damage or potential leaks. You’ll also want to check the exterior walls of your property. Look for cracks or signs of wear that might indicate attention is needed.
Pay attention to your landscaping during the spring months. Trim overgrown bushes to maintain curb appeal and minimize the risk of damage.
If you haven’t conducted a plumbing inspection all year, spring is the time to do it. Address any issues you might have with sprinkler systems, sinks, and appliances.
Working with Tenants on Seasonal Maintenance Responses
Effective communication between landlords and tenants can significantly enhance the maintenance process and tenant satisfaction.
Here are some tips from San Mateo property management experts on maintaining clear, open lines of communication:
- Provide Regular Updates. Keep your tenants informed about any upcoming maintenance or inspections, providing as much notice as possible. This not only shows respect for their privacy but also helps prevent any pushback.
- Remain Responsive. Be prompt in responding to tenant concerns or maintenance requests. Even if a solution can’t be immediately implemented, acknowledging receipt of their request and providing a timeline for action can help you avoid their frustration.
- Maintenance Surveys. After a maintenance or repair task is completed, consider sending a brief survey to gather feedback on the tenant’s satisfaction with the work and the contractor’s conduct. This can help you improve future maintenance work and tenant relationships.
- Create Clear Communication Channels. Establish a preferred method of communication (email, phone, tenant portal) for both routine updates and urgent issues. Ensure tenants know how to report problems or emergencies.
- Educational Resources: Provide tenants with informational resources on how they can contribute to the maintenance of the property, such as proper garbage disposal, care for appliances, and seasonal preparation tips that are relevant to them.
Regular property maintenance not only protects your investment but also ensures a comfortable living environment for your tenants. Despite your best efforts, certain maintenance issues are commonly reported in rental properties. Addressing these problems promptly can greatly enhance tenant satisfaction and preserve the condition of your property.
- Plumbing
Clogged drains are often due to hair, grease, and other foreign objects blocking sinks and showers. You’ll also get maintenance requests around leaky faucets which are often caused by worn washers. Dripping taps are a quick and easy fix that you’ll want to address right away.
- HVAC Issues
If you provide air conditioning, make sure it’s efficiently running. Ask tenants to change the air filters. Furnaces and heating systems will also require regular maintenance and inspections so they keep running throughout the winter.
- Pest Infestations
Gaps in sealing, unaddressed leaks, and improper waste disposal can attract pests and rodents, requiring professional extermination. Make sure you have regular pest control visits to your properties seasonally.
Handling these common issues efficiently requires a proactive maintenance schedule and encouraging tenants to report problems as soon as they arise.
Partner with Vendors for Seasonal and Preventative Maintenance
We often talk to owners who have no idea where to find a plumber or an electrician or anyone who can help them conduct seasonal maintenance checks and services. We have some tips on how to find those vendors, and what you should be looking for when you hire someone.
- Look for Licensed and Insured Vendors
It’s important to work with licensed and insured vendors only. You might consider hiring someone off the street or asking your cousin to do some work around the rental property you own, but this is risky. If you hire someone who isn’t licensed and insured, you are taking on a lot of liability. What if that person falls off a ladder while working on your roof or electrocutes himself while changing out a ceiling fan? You’re going to be sued, and you’ll probably have to pay for medical bills and other expenses.
There’s also a risk that the work won’t be done properly. Spending $1,000 on a repair that’s done well is much more cost effective than paying $300 the first time but $2,000 the second time in order to fix the bad work that was done.
- Establish Relationships Early
If your tenant calls with an emergency in the middle of the night or over a holiday weekend, it’s not the best time to be reaching out to vendors you’ve never worked with before. It’s better to have relationships established so they know who you are when you call. Ask for referrals and get to know the best professionals in each field. Schedule recurring inspections and services. For example, heating and cooling systems should be serviced at least once a year, you should have your landscaping inspected and maintained, and you’ll want ongoing pest control. When you have service contracts in place with vendors, calling them during an emergency is much easier.
Professional San Mateo Property Management
Working with a professional property manager in San Mateo relieves you of the burden you face in putting together a list of qualified vendors, communicating with tenants, and following up on seasonal maintenance responsibilities. We can do all of this for you.
Whether it’s helping you find qualified vendors who can respond quickly to the repair needs of our tenants and owners or setting up a schedule of when to do what, we’re your best resource when it comes to seasonal and preventative maintenance. You won’t have to deal with scheduling issues and you’ll know that a qualified professional is taking care of the work.
By following these seasonal maintenance tips, you’ll ensure that your San Mateo rental properties remain attractive, safe, and functional throughout the year. Consistent upkeep not only preserves the value of your investment but also signals to your tenants that you are a responsible and attentive landlord. Don’t forget to give your tenants advance notice before any maintenance work and thank them for their cooperation.
We know that seasonal maintenance and staying ahead of repairs can mean fewer emergencies and a more profitable rental business. If you’d like to talk more about how we can help, please contact us at Sharevest Property Management.
