Spring maintenance for block property managers
Spring Maintenance for Block Managers
The lighter nights are slowly starting, and the buds are peaking through the ground. At last Spring is beginning to show signs in the UK.
When it comes to residential blocks/tenements/apartments, spring shouts maintenance. It also gives us time to assess any damage that the winter weather has thrown at us.
Below we have listed some of the most important spring maintenance areas for external and internal areas of residential blocks..
Exterior Spring Maintenance Checklist
Communal Gardens
- Tree and shrub pruning
- Changing lawn fertilisers
- Refreshing or changing flower beds
- Mowing lawns, weeding
- Checking and clearing sprinkler services
Communal Landscaping.
If your block features a communal decking area or patio, now is the time to check its condition as its usage increases through the spring and summer.
Hiring a power washing company is one way to clear the grime from patio slabs and to remove any moss from outdoor decking to avoid slipping hazards. If cold weather such as ice, sleet or snow has also caused mould or cracks to appear, schedule a contractor to replace these slabs or planks.
Exterior painting.
Spring is a great time to give the exterior of your block a lick of paint. A coat of new paint can soon cover cracks or damage caused by winter storms and give the property a new lease of life. Extend your painting to front doors and windowsills to give the block extra curb appeal throughout the spring and summer months.
Clear the guttering.
Winter storms can dislodge leaves and other debris like moss, which over time can begin to build up and clog gutters. This prevents the efficient flow and drainage of rainwater.
Guttering that becomes blocked or broken can be time consuming, as well as expensive, to replace. On top of this, there is the potential for damp and mould to develop which leads to numerous issues for residents, unsightly staining on outside of the building and also health concerns caused by dampness of external and internal brickwork inside their apartments.
Seals and General Cracking.
The cold temperatures in the winter months may have caused caulk to wear on windows and doors. Inspect these areas and appoint a contractor to re-seal as necessary.
They can also check for cracks and gaps that may have appeared around the windowsills and doors, as well as in any wooden trims. This will prepare you for keeping the heat in the property in the winter and protect your property from any sudden lashing April showers which could lead to costly water damage repairs.
Check outdoor lighting and communal garden furniture.
Once the nights begin to get lighter your residents will start staying out later. To ensure their safety, check that the outside lighting of the property is all functioning correctly.
If you’re using SMART lighting, check that the automated times have been changed in accordance with the hours of daylight. For example, if your lights have been set to switch off at 9pm, extend those to now turn off at 11pm.
Likewise, ensure that any communal garden furniture such as outdoor seating areas, or even communal BBQs are all in good, and safe, condition.
Interior Spring Maintenance Checklist
Replace batteries in fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
If the apartments in your block contain battery powered smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, though should all be mains wired nowadays, send a notice out to residents, or inform a maintenance team, to check and change the batteries.
As temperatures rise, it’s imperative that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning correctly. It’s also a great opportunity to run checks on any safety systems within the property to ensure all residents are protected.
Check communal dryers.
Over the winter months communal clothes dryers are used excessively as residents are unable to dry their clothes outside. Now that their usage is likely to have lessened, it’s a good time to ensure that the filters inside the dryers are clear of lint. Lint is one of the main causes of property fires and is often overlooked.
Ask a maintenance technician to check the vents of dryers, as well as any pipes and hoses to ensure that they are clear of any dangerous build-up. Clean down the outside clothes lines if you have any.
Clean floors & walls
If your block is in an area which receives heavy snowfall, it’s likely that communal walkways and floors will have picked up grime, dirt, and stains over time.
Spring is a fantastic time to get rid of these so that your property looks just as clean on the inside as it does on the outside. Ask a floor specialist with inspecting, cleaning and repairing any communal floors as necessary.
The same can also be said for cleaning walls in communal areas as this can also become surprisingly dirty over time. If your walls are white, any dirt is instantly seen.
Exterminate pests
People aren’t the only ones that hibernate somewhere warm throughout winter! As temperatures begin to rise, unwanted guests may appear from cracks caused by the extreme temperatures.
Fill any gaps that have appeared in flooring or around windows and doors, and check attic spaces for any unwanted visitors like rodents or wasps. If you do find evidence of a pest, call out an extermination team immediately and notify all residents.
Air-con units
If your block has air conditioning, it’s important that each unit is checked to ensure that they are all functioning correctly. If any units need repairing, do not hesitate to replace them where necessary. This includes checking the thermostat and any coolant levels.
It’s a good idea to let residents know that you have been performing checks, so they are not alarmed if the air conditioning switches on or off unexpectedly, which is a sign of a problem with your system.
Water leaks and damage
Now the weather is beginning to get warmer, and the snow is slowly melting, there could be a high volume of water damage throughout your block.
To protect the property from further damage and maintain your investment, inspect all communal areas for any leaks or damage. If you do find problems, contact a maintenance technician who can assess the situation and take care of any necessary repairs.
Lighting checks
It’s important that you check all exterior lighting for faults or damage. If you do find any problems, call out an electrician to repair them straight away.
Remember: The same goes for interior lighting too. Make sure that every single light is working correctly throughout the property, as well as all switches and plug sockets.
Check the plumbing
Now that winter is behind us, it’s not unusual if your block will have experienced water damage due to burst or faulty pipes. Check all bathrooms, toilets and kitchens, as well as outdoor piping, for signs of any issues. If you do find leaks or damage around this area, call out a plumber to assess the
As we enter Spring, we enter the last few months of the financial year. You will need to look over the previous year’s finances and plan your budget for the upcoming financial year, as well as make any necessary changes to your budget if needed.
In the last couple of months of the financial year, you should be ensuring any taxes or charges are paid that are due. Remember to create a budget for your block of flats early enough so you have plenty of time to collect any charges or payments due.
It’s important to make sure that all your accounts are prepared and up to date as you enter Spring, not just your properties. It’s also important to remember that you must notify your residents in writing if any changes are made to your accounts or fees within the block of flats management services.
If all this is daunting perhaps you may wish to instruct a factor this is where we can come in.
Want to find out more about factoring?
If you’ve got any more questions, just get in touch today 0141 739 4439
