A spring spruce up for your rental
As the days lengthen, the weather warms and that scent of the summer to come sneaks into the air, it’s a great opportunity to turn your attention to a bit of spring cleaning around your property.
And if you reside in a rental, it’s the chance to tackle some of those annual tasks that ensure the property remains well looked after, well maintained and ready for the summer weather that lies ahead.
With that in mind here’s a handy checklist of things to consider if you’re looking to do a spring spruce up of your rental.
The value of a spring clean
Whether you’ve lived in the property for six years, six months, or just six weeks, spring offers a great opportunity to turn your attention to all the little things that make a house a home.
It’s a great time to get behind, under and into those areas that benefit from an annual clean or the items that might need some preventative maintenance or TLC in the interests of protecting the property.
It’s also the chance to prepare the home for the months ahead, in the knowledge spring and summer bring the increased risk of natural disasters and weather events in most Australian states.
So where do you begin and what tasks are worth taking on?
Cupboard cleanout
It doesn’t seem to matter how long we’ve lived in a home, things tend to build up and accumulate, which makes spring a great time to tackle those cupboards for a bit of a clean out and declutter.
Chances are you’re also currently swapping out your winter wardrobe and your winter bedding for lighter, cooler options for the warmer months ahead, making now a good opportunity to get rid of any items you know longer want or need.
Not only does a cupboard cleanout give you extra space, it helps ensure your home is more organised, and easier to keep clean.
Air conditioners and fans
In just a few short weeks, your property’s cooling systems might be getting a whole lot more use, making now the time to clean your air-conditioner filter and your fans.
It’s also a good time to check the air-condtioner’s external unit for corrosion and debris, and if your fans have both a summer and winter setting, to switch them over to summer.
Windows, tracks and awnings
Dust, dirt and even light mildew can build up on your windows over the cooler, damper winter months, so now’s a great time to give them a solid clean, including the tracks of both windows and sliding glass doors.
If you have external window awnings, it’s also an opportunity to give those a spruce up with a solid clean or hose off.
Blinds and curtains
That dust, dirt and mildew that accumulates on windows can also affect your curtains and blinds, making now the ideal time to give them a good clean.
In some cases, curtains can be taken down and washed on a gentle setting in the washing machine. In other instances, a hose off or dry cleaning might be a better option.
Check your curtain care instructions for tips on how best to clean them without causing damage.
Nooks and crannies
It doesn’t matter how often you clean your home, there’s always the potential for dirt, grime and dust to build up in those nooks and crannies that are hard to reach.
Now’s a great time to tackle these areas by shifting furniture out of the way and getting stuck into those hard to reach places.
Exterior clean
Outside the property, there’s also the opportunity for a spring spruce up, which might include:
- Removing cobwebs
- Washing down or pressure cleaning the exterior
- Pruning any shrubs that are touching the property or impeding access
- Pressure cleaning driveways, pathways, paving and decking
- Cleaning any pool glass
- Wiping over or hosing off any bannisters and railings
Storm and fire preparation
As you give the property a bit of a spring clean, it’s also a good opportunity to consider preparing for the summer storm and bushfire season ahead.
This includes casting your eye over the property’s exterior for items that could become projectiles in a severe storm, or looking up to flag any overhanging tree branches that might need to be cut.
In fire-prone areas, it’s a good idea to eliminate any unnecessary ‘fire fuel’ around the property, such as long grass, leaf litter, or fallen twigs and branches.
Any maintenance?
Meanwhile, this spring clean might reveal some maintenance tasks which need the attention of your property manager, such as a gutter clean, tree trim, shade sail clean etc.
If you do see something that would benefit from a little preventative TLC or repair, note it down and contact your managing agency in the interests of protecting and maintaining the property.
How we can help
Our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both rental occupiers and owners.
We manage every property as if it were our own and you can learn more about our property management services here.
Alternatively, if you are looking to rent a property, you can view the properties we currently have available here.
