The Annual Maintenance Checklist for Rental Homes in Florida

The Florida rental market has heated up like no other, making places like Miami and Tampa ideal locations to own an investment property. But a home in disrepair isn’t going to attract good residents or the right price for the market. Regular maintenance on a rental is key to keeping the home profitable and in good shape — identifying any issues or necessary repairs before they become costly headaches. 

While Florida really only experiences two seasons a year (hot and less hot), it’s not immune to wild weather. This annual maintenance calendar will give you an idea of the kind of repair, prevention and maintenance items you should cross off your list every season for a rental home in the Sunshine State. Some of these items you can ask your residents to manage, but some you will need to check for yourself in annual or quarterly inspections. Or, if your home is looked after by Belong, we can handle the lot — from speaking with the residents about issues to making repairs with our extensive network of professional contractors.

Homeowners should also be aware of their obligations under Florida’s landlord-tenant statute to keep the property in good repair and ensure the home is habitable. If you fail to do so, your resident has the right to withhold rent, provided they issue you with a notice of their intent. You will be given seven-days notice to correct the defect/s and the resident can’t be forced to pay rent or threatened with eviction during this period. 

Spring Maintenance Checklist for Florida Rental Homes

Spring is the end of the dry season in Florida, which makes it the perfect time to tackle any maintenance issues and inspect for any leaks or cracks before the wet season begins. Servicing your HVAC or air conditioning unit and cleaning out filters is another must, before the mercury rises and contractors get busier (and more expensive!). 

It’s also a good time to do an annual inspection of smoke alarms, plus any fire extinguishers, CO detectors, and sprinklers to make sure they are working properly. 

Spring Maintenance Checklist: 

• Check the HVAC or air conditioning unit and clean filters before summer hits 

• Inspect and test smoke detectors

• Inspect and test any fire safety systems such as fire extinguishers, CO detectors and sprinklers 

• Mow the laws and remove any weeds as they start to appear

• Trim hedges and trees

• For homes with pools, have the water checked and cleaned to prepare for summer

• Hose down any decks — if they need maintenance, now is a good time to reseal and treat for rot 

• Check for leaks in the ceiling or any signs of water damage to repair before summer and fall rains set in and problems deepen 

Summer Maintenance for Florida Rental Homes

May to October is the wet season in Florida, making summer hot and humid. When the moisture and humidity rises, so too does the mold so be sure to make sure there’s no damp spots or moisture damage in the home and that rooms are being kept well ventilated. You can recommend that residents use basic moisture absorbers (such as DampRid) in dark areas that attract mold, like closets and laundry rooms.

If your home is prone to infestation, or your residents have concerns, now is the time to inspect for insects and rodents after the spring breeding season. 

Florida is also prone to severe storms and hurricanes, with the season peaking around August - September. You can check your address on FEMA’s Flood Map to find your flood zone category and risk of property damage during summer and fall. If you are at risk, check your insurance coverage and look at the National Flood Insurance Program. 

If your home has hurricane shutters installed, be sure to check their condition and make sure any electrical systems are functioning or hand-cranks are moving easily. If you don’t have any installed, now would be a great time to consider them to protect windows from flying debris. They also offer great insulation and protection from burglaries for your residents.  

Summer Maintenance Checklist: 

• Inspect and test hurricane shutters 

• Inspect and control any pest infestations such as insects and rodents

• Inspect and control mold 

• Check any supplied appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines

• Check insurance coverage before hurricanes and storms set in 

• Keep any pools clean and functional 

• Check property for any damage or loose fittings that could become an issue during storm season

Fall Maintenance for Florida Rental Homes

If your rental home has a lawn and yard, the big dose of sun and rain may have encouraged it to get a little unruly. Your trees may have also been damaged during summer storms. Fall in Florida is a good time to give gardens some love to ensure you maintain curb appeal and function. 

While you won’t see the traditional colors of fall the way you would in Vermont, there are Floridian trees that will drop their leaves and clog your gutters. If your home has one, make sure gutters are cleared as clogs can saturate your roof and cause leaks. 

Fall Maintenance Checklist: 

• Mow the laws and remove any weeds as they start to appear

• Trim hedges and trees

• Rake leaves

• Inspect roof and gutters, clearing out any debris 

• Check bathroom caulk and grout for any potential issues and leaks before winter

• Check plumbing in bathrooms and kitchens

• Check garbage disposals as these get frequently clogged and lead to repair issues

• Check insulation and drafts around windows and doors to fix before winter

Winter Maintenance Checklist for Florida Rental Homes

No need to worry about snow plows or frosty pipes, winters in Florida are the mildest in the US. However, as a homeowner you still have a responsibility to your residents to provide heat, especially hot water. Don’t neglect the water heater in your rental home — a yearly flush can prevent pipes from bursting and let you identify problems or leaks before they get worse. No hot running water gives residents cause to stop paying rent, an outcome far more expensive than maintenance. 

Winter Maintenance Checklist:

• Flush out hot water heater

• Check and/or service heating to the home to ensure it’s operating

• Check for mold and moisture issues, remind residents about the importance of ventilation even during winter

• Check house siding for damage and/or leaks

• Check the exterior of the house for any signs of damage or dirt buildup over the wet season — it might be a good time to give sidings a clean 

Belong eliminates the hassle of rental property maintenance

When your home is cared for with Belong PRO, it will always stay well-maintained thanks to our extensive vendor network of over 10,000 professional contractors. You can make repair requests through the app or even subscribe to regular maintenance services so nothing ever falls in disrepair.

If unexpected repairs or emergency maintenance costs do arrive, Belong has that covered too. All Belong homeowners are pre-approved for our Split It program, which spreads the cost of repairs across the term of your lease. This means you’ll always stay cash flow positive, receiving guaranteed rent every month minus a Split It repayment.

To learn more about how Belong PRO is making renting loveable for homeowners with flexible financing, rewarding perks and constant innovation, check out our homeowners page.

Or visit one of our many local pages to learn more about services in your neighborhood:

Tampa Property Management

Jacksonville Property Management

Miami Property Management

Orlando Property Management

Tallahassee Property Management

Seattle Property Management

Redmond Property Management

Oakland Property Management

San Francisco Property Management

San Diego Property Management

Los Angeles Property Management

Concord Property Management

Berkeley Property Management

Orlando Property Management