Managing a vacation rental property can be an enjoyable and profitable investment. If you want to make your investment last, it’s crucial to think about a comprehensive maintenance routine to help prevent costly repairs while keeping your property in good shape at all times.
Today, a vacation rental property is becoming a profitable business, but it’ll require time and effort if you want it to grow. Remember that when people are looking for a vacation property, one of their priorities is a clean, well-maintained property. When you’re managing one, it’s your responsibility to keep the property secure and give your guests peace of mind during their stay. Home security is important and requires consulting with a specialist.
In the long run, expect problems, especially issues requiring repairs such as a leaking faucet, holes on the roof, or cracks on the walls. These minor issues need to be dealt with right away, otherwise it can bring about poor reviews, causing the overall standing of your vacation property to suffer.
Consider working with a professional when you find it burdensome to manage your vacation rental property properly. Checking out reliable property management service providers such as Teton Valley Property Management and others would be a good starting point to ensure efficient management of your property.
Here are some of the crucial tasks to include in your maintenance routine if you want to keep your vacation rental property in good condition throughout the year.
1. Maintain The Cleanliness Of The Property
When you have a vacation rental property, it’s unlikely for guests to leave it clean and organized after their stay. As the owner, it’s your responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of your property at all times. Ensure straightforward property management by following a regular cleaning schedule. You can employ a professional cleaning service to perform routine cleaning of your vacation property every week or two weeks. This is especially important if you offer a mobility lease for seasonal rental as your property needs to be in the best condition possible to ensure the comfort of all occupants throughout their stay. With regular cleaning, you can prevent long-term wear and tear on your property while maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
Some of the critical items to prioritize during routine cleaning are the following:
- Install humidifiers along with other tools to keep the air in the property clean.
- Schedule an electrical and fire safety inspection by a professional since any issue can be a threat to the safety of your guests and property.
- Conduct a routine inspection of the kitchen. All the elements should be in good working order and replace those that seem to malfunction or appear worn out.
- Ensure that all surfaces on your premises are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Consider hiring a cleaning service before the arrival of guests to ensure everything is in tip-top condition. Guests typically know if a property has been recently cleaned or left empty for some time.
2. Check The Essentials On Your Property
The essentials on your vacation property should be ready for use once guests arrive. Make it a priority to check that all of these are operating properly during your routine inspection.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors: All batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors require timely replacement. Even though the batteries appear to be in good condition, you should change them every six months.
- Lightbulbs: The lightbulbs will also require replacements, although not often as the batteries. If you have LED bulbs, they can last for up to five years. However, it’s best to place new bulbs in all fixtures and replace them at the same time one year before the date the manufacturer recommends a replacement.
- Safety devices: All safety devices such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and smoke or CO detectors must be in good working order.
- Electronic devices: Check the condition of all audio/visual systems and electronic devices on your vacation property. Guests will be disappointed if any of these items aren’t available during their stay, especially the TVs, internet router and modem, and video game consoles.
3. Pay Attention To Interior Maintenance
The interior of your vacation property will require more than an aesthetic facelift. An inspection should cover all the rooms to check for signs of wear and tear. Preventive maintenance measures usually include:
- Refinishing or treating wooden flooring, deep cleaning of carpet, and resealing of stone floors
- Replacing any damaged or cracked windows
- Inspecting and tightening the screws on doorknobs and cabinet handles
- Conditioning leather furniture, cleaning and repairing fabric furniture, and refinishing wood furniture
- Replacing any plumbing fixture that appears loose or worn out and checking the water pressure and drainage for any issues
As part of routine maintenance, you should also check the condition of the kitchen appliances. If there are frequent complaints about the refrigerator or microwave, these might need to be replaced. Don’t forget about kitchen accessories, especially pots and pans, since they might also be due for replacement.
The linens should look and smell fresh, especially the sheets, blankets, duvets, curtains, and towels. Examine for indications of wear and tear, and replace as needed.
4. Maintain Superior Security
The security of your vacation property is another important consideration. A basic requirement for home security is the installation of security cameras and alarms on your property. You can further boost security by investing in superior quality locks and deadbolts for the main doors, safety boxes, and window locks.
It would be best to consider adding smart lighting systems or motion-activated lights. Smart lights will improve overall security since you can configure them to switch on and off to match the time that occupants are typically home instead of on a fixed schedule or 24/7. This lets you save money on your electricity bill, too.
Remember that keeping your property safe should be your primary concern if your vacation rental property is in a bustling urban location such as Los Angeles.
5. Inspect The Condition Of Major Mechanical Systems
When the heating or cooling systems start to malfunction and you have guests present, it can ruin their stay, and it’s a scenario you should avoid at all costs.
During the routine maintenance of your property, inspect the overall condition of the major mechanical systems for any issues. It’s best to schedule your routine maintenance before the new season arrives to ensure all heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) elements function optimally. Before the onset of fall or winter, it’s a good idea to check if the boiler is working.
Replace the filters in the furnace, dryer, air conditioning units, and ventilation system. Don’t forget to check the bathroom. In most cases, the exhaust vents in the bathrooms on your property are more likely to end up with blockage than in other areas in your home.
6. Do Not Neglect Exterior Maintenance
Make sure to assess the exterior elements if improvements are necessary every year. One of the crucial factors for your vacation property is curb appeal since it’s the first thing your guests will see upon their arrival. With this in mind, you should make certain that your property’s exterior will leave a positive first impression.
It’s preferable to repaint every five years, but check whether the exterior paint needs a touch-up during regular maintenance. It’s best to repaint the walls, fences, and gates if necessary to provide your property with a fresh look.
The landscaping is likewise crucial since it complements the overall curb appeal. Remember that guests will readily notice if the front or backyard lacks proper care, especially if shrubs are badly overgrown and weeds are running wild.
Routine maintenance is more than simply improving the aesthetics of your vacation property. It’s also a matter of safety and sanitation. As such, the following should be part of your exterior routine maintenance:
- Cleaning and flushing the gutters and downspouts to ensure the drainage is in good order
- Inspecting the pathways for any signs of damage that’ll make it difficult or dangerous for your guests to move around the property
- Assessing patio furniture to see if repair or maintenance is needed, such as resealing for wood patio furniture
- Checking the exterior caulk and walls for signs of damage or possible pest infestation
- Inspecting the sprinklers to ensure they’re working properly, watering the lawn, and checking if the yard requires aeration
- Trimming tree branches and keeping them away from your property
- Ensuring compliance with the fire regulations in your area
- Examining the roof for any signs of damage and determining when cleaning should be scheduled
A swimming pool on your vacation property is a plus factor, but it requires a routine inspection. You can call a professional to handle the task, which involves inspecting the pool water and the filtration system if it’s functional. Schedule an inspection two or three times a week during the summer and at least once a week during the winter to keep your swimming pool spic and span.
Final Thoughts
Proper maintenance of your vacation rental property will ensure a steady income stream for years to come. By keeping your property clean, secure, and well-maintained, you’ll have an attractive vacation property that guests will surely love and recommend to others. The only way to make your property management easier to maintain while also guaranteeing that it stands out from the crowd is to adhere to a regular maintenance plan.