Fall is an ideal time to tend to your rental property’s yard before winter weather hits. Fall clean-ups are an excellent opportunity to add property curb appeal while saving money. With some forethought, you can easily turn ordinary maintenance jobs into easy, low-cost décor that will keep your property welcoming to tenants during the winter months.
You can think of it as a way to prepare for winter while also preparing for spring. You can use more robust plants for added color or prune some of the tree branches, so there are multiple ways to make your yard look nice without hurting your budget. Read on as we will cover how to make your outdoor space winter-ready while adding some interest.
Why Fall Clean-Up Is Essential Before Winter?
If you are a property owner who has ever put off cleaning up a mess of winter debris until spring, you know how much of a hassle it is. A fall cleanup is a chance to take care of that. When you tend to your yard now, you are tidying up the yard, but more importantly, you are protecting your property and potentially saving yourself costs down the line. Bay Property Management Group Arlington encourages landlords to prioritize seasonal maintenance to protect their investment. Failing to address your yard now could harm your property later. For example, if you do not manage your lawn’s leaves, it can lead to mold and even kill the grass. If you do not clean out your gutters, it can lead to leaks or water damage down the line.
Even small activities, such as trimming hanging branches, can save you headaches later when snow or ice arrives. Maintaining your lawn will also enhance the attractiveness of your rental property for your tenants during the colder months. It also shows that you are concerned with more than just collecting rent. You can save yourself a whole weekend of cleanup in the spring with a few hours of fall cleanup, which is worth the time and expense.
Focusing on Tasks that Prevent Expensive Damage
- Gutter & Drainage Assurance
One of the best things to do before winter comes is to attend to your gutters and drainage system. It’s not a fun task, but it’s definitely an important one. Issues occur when leaves and debris accumulate in your gutters, leaving water with nowhere to go. Fall landscaping is important not only before winter but also in the long run, as it saves money on costly repairs. Overflow can leak into your foundation, walls, or roof, which can be expensive to maintain, especially if a little cleanup before winter could have been preventative.
Additionally, this applies to the drainage around your yard as well. If water collects in one area instead of draining away, in freezing temperatures, your lawn and walkways could suffer. If you have the time, take a few minutes to clear your gutters, inspect your gutters, and ensure they’re all directing water away from the property. Our small efforts like this one will yield big returns and help avoid the questions with regret of, “why didn’t I fix this problem earlier”?, which can be extra challenging in the middle of winter.
- Safeguarding Hose & Faucet
Preventing cold-weather damage to your outdoor water systems is another easy way to protect your costs from big winter repairs. It may not seem like a big deal to leave your faucets exposed and hoses attached, but you could freeze your pipes, and no landlord wants a big bill for that. First, drain any leftover water and disconnect any garden hoses. Then, keep them in a roomy, dry location with no moisture or humidity, such as a garage or shed, to prevent them from cracking.
Once you’ve put away the hoses, you can also turn off your outdoor water source, then open the faucet to release any remaining water. A faucet cover is a simple way to protect faucets from exposure to the outside elements. You can save hundreds of dollars on plumbing repairs by doing these two steps; depending on the type of homes you manage, both steps will take under an hour. Treat it like easy, smart, and economical property management to avoid damage during the winter months.
- Pruning for Safety & Shape
Although pruning might not be the most glamorous activity, it is one of those small chores that can save you a significant amount in repairs down the road. Weak or overgrown branches might break beneath snow or wind and fall onto your fences, roof, or parked cars. By pruning in the fall, you can help prevent such damage and aid the growth of your plants in the spring.
Now is also a great time to shape your trees and plants, keeping your yard tidy throughout the year. Be sure to clear any dead or hanging branches for pathways and electrical wires, in addition to maintaining your property and keeping it neat in all seasons. These few additions will now save you a lot of trouble from rogue weather in the winter months.
Importance of Documenting the Yard Condition
Before concluding your fall clean-up, take a moment to record a few key aspects of your yard’s condition. While this may seem like a needless task, when snow, ice, or storms hit, you’ll find value in having photos or notes detailing the condition before winter, which may prevent later misunderstandings or tenant disputes. Whether you have one or more rental properties, documentation is a crucial first step in determining whether something was in good or unfavorable condition before winter. If tenants identify something as being damaged in the spring, you’ll have sufficient evidence to determine its condition prior to winter. These photos will also serve as a time-saving method to document seasonal maintenance over the years.
You’ll know which areas are prone to flooding and which trees might require attention next year. You could easily take it with your phone, capturing wide shots of your lawn, sidewalks, fences, and gutters to document these features and save the images on your phone, taking some quick notes. Small tasks like these will go a long way in helping protect your investment, holding each party accountable, and planning smart for future maintenance needs.
Conclusion
Preparing your house for winter doesn’t have to be a complex or expensive task. With some thought and work in the fall, you can reduce the risk of damage and keep your property looking good during the long winter period. There are small but important things you can do now, such as cleaning gutters, pruning trees, protecting outdoor faucets, and documenting the condition of your yard. All these things add up in the end. Most renters will see the benefits of a property’s proper upkeep, and so will your bottom line. Think of it as investing a little time now so that everything is a little easier and less stressful in the spring.