SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!

Posted May 26, 2011

Now that the temperatures are starting to moderate, and the threat of a snowstorm recedes into memory, the thoughts of a property manager turn to spring cleanup, paintup and fixup time.  As I have mentioned in previous articles, the maintenance of the exterior appearance of a property is a major consideration for the owner, manager and tenants. The outside surroundings are the first thing that the tenant sees before he or she gets inside the office, and, especially if the property is located on a well traveled street or highway, will be considered either positively or negatively by every motorist and pedestrian who goes by.  Small impressions can add up to either a good report or an annoyance that festers and can add to other complaints. Hopefully, you already have a landscape company in place with a contract that details all the activities that the change of the season requires. Some of those activities may include re-mulching any shrubs, trees, and flower beds; soil aeration, trimming trees and shrubs that require shaping, and leaf cleanup left over from the fall. Some commercial properties have seasonal flowers that will have to be installed. Usually mowing starts when the grass has really begun to grow, in late April and May, but perhaps there are areas that need to be re-seeded at this time.

Spring is also the time to make a thorough inspection of the roof, gutters, downspouts, trim, exterior windows and doors. The combination of cold, snow, blown debris, and ice can take a toll on all these components of a building. Remediation of problems as soon as they are discovered is money in the bank even if it seems to be costing your owner additional money at the time.

Inside the building, attention to the HVAC system to get ready for the air conditioning season is the most important concern.  Ideally, you have a maintenance agreement in place, and your HVAC vendor is going to call you to set up the spring maintenance appointment. If you don’t have an existing maintenance agreement, or you have taken on a new property, now is the time to get acquainted with what you are going to have to work with. Set up a time with your HVAC vendor to assess the situation and make any needed repairs and maintenance.

The performance of spring cleanup is very important for owner and tenants. Seasonal maintenance assures the owner that his or her property is in good shape for the long term, and presents a good appearance to the community. A tenant who is happy with the appearance and maintenance of the building in which he or she makes a living will be much more inclined to renew the lease with terms that are favorable to the owner, and allow him to maintain the building properly for the long term.