As we enter the warmer months, it’s crucial to prepare your property for the summer season. Our experienced property management team share their summer maintenance tips and provide their answers to commonly asked questions.
Summer home maintenance checklist
Follow our summer home maintenance tips, to help you prepare for the festive summer period ahead.
Air conditioning
Before the temperatures soar, consider servicing your air conditioning units. This proactive approach ensures optimal functionality and can help identify potential issues early on, preventing larger and costlier repairs, such as water damage from leaking evaporative units.
While servicing may seem unnecessary, it’s a small investment compared to the inconvenience and expense of a breakdown. Plus, your tenants will greatly appreciate a well-functioning air conditioning system.
Swimming pools
Swimming pools comprise a significant component of summer house maintenance.
While tenants play a role in maintaining the pool, including debris removal and water condition upkeep, landlords are responsible for ensuring all pool equipment operates effectively and that safety barriers comply with regulations.
If your tenancy includes a monthly pool service, recommendations for necessary repairs will be provided by the service provider to maintain the pool in a usable and sanitary condition.
Maintaining pool fencing, gates and latches is crucial, and it is imperative to action requests for maintenance promptly, as repairs to pool barriers are considered urgent.
Reticulation systems
The tenant is responsible for setting automatic systems to the correct watering days and times and for the general upkeep of reticulation fittings, including keeping sprinklers free from sand, grass and debris. Any damage caused to the reticulation is the tenant’s responsibility to repair. However, faulty controllers, valves and solenoids are the lessor’s responsibility.
Should the reticulation system become non-operational, the tenant must ensure that the lawns and gardens are hand-watered regularly and adequately.
Check for termites and pests
As the warmer weather arrives, it’s important to stay proactive about pest control to avoid infestations.
In Australia, termites are a serious risk, particularly in the summer months. Arrange for a professional pest control service to conduct a thorough termite inspection and treat the property if necessary. This early intervention can prevent costly damage and ensure the property remains secure.
Have regular pest control treatments in place to manage ants, cockroaches, spiders, and other pests that tend to be more active during the warmer months. Make sure tenants know how to report any pest issues promptly to keep the property pest-free throughout the season.
FAQs
Is an air conditioning fault considered urgent maintenance?
Under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), urgent repairs are those required to restore essential services – electricity, gas, water (including hot water supply), sewerage management and a functioning refrigerator where one has been provided with the premises.
Air conditioning is not classified as an essential service under the RTA, and the repair of faults is not considered urgent maintenance. You are, however, obligated to arrange repairs within a reasonable timeframe.
Are tenants permitted portable swimming pools and spas?
Portable pools and spas are prohibited at all properties without council-approved pool barriers. Pool fencing laws apply to all pools and spas, including portable ones 300mm deep or more. Using such pools or spas without a compliant barrier may result in substantial fines imposed by the local council. Any tenants found using portable pools or spas at the property will be instructed to remove them immediately and may be issued a Notice of Breach of Agreement.
Will Momentum Wealth be closing over Christmas, and how will this affect my end-of-month payment?
Our office will be closed from Saturday, 21 December 2024, and reopening on Thursday, 2 January 2025. December end-of-month payments will be processed on Friday, 20 December, and collections after this date will be included with your January end-of-month payment.
Will home opens be held over the Christmas closure period?
Should your property be advertised for lease during our Christmas closure period, home opens will be scheduled for the first week in January, and all prospective tenants who register their interest will automatically be notified of viewing times. Your Property Manager will provide further information before our final business day.
How can a Maintenance Report be submitted during the Christmas closure period?
Tenants can report maintenance via the PropertyMe app and seek assistance through our chatbot, Alex. For urgent maintenance as defined by the Residential Tenancies Act, tenants can refer to our After-Hours Urgent Maintenance Plan and may contact one of our team members or an approved contractor for urgent assistance. If any repairs are carried out that are not deemed urgent under the Residential Tenancies Act, tenants may be held liable for costs incurred.
And there you have our top summer maintenance tips for your home or investment property.
Momentum Wealth are real estate investment experts who bring a holistic and proactive approach to property management.
Our expertise extends far beyond basic upkeep and tenant liaison. Leveraging years of industry experience, our dedicated team have a keen eye for detail and work diligently to minimise risks and maximise returns for investors.
Our comprehensive strategies encompass market analysis, strategic property acquisitions, meticulous tenant selection, proactive maintenance, and timely interventions.
Contact our friendly team today for more information on our property management services, or to find out more about other service offerings.