Get your rental home ready for winter with the fall maintenance checklist, including 6 tips and local advice on essential fall season maintenance for rentals

Show Your Rental Home Some Love With This Essential Fall Maintenance Checklist

It’s fall season and while your focus may be on how many jack-o-lanterns your front lawn needs — it should also be on maintenance for your rental home.

Owners of rental homes have an obligation under state landlord-tenant laws to keep their property in good repair and ensure the home is habitable. Fall is a great time to check on the repair and maintenance needs of your rental before the winter chill sets in. This will ensure your home is free of leaks and has plenty of heat and hot water for your residents, avoiding liability issues. 

The fall and winter months are also when homes sell or rent for less than the warmer months. If you have a home that needs a lot of work, getting it done now will have it in top shape for the peak seasons ahead. 

6 tips for essential fall maintenance on your rental home

Whether your rental home is in Austin or Orlando, Seattle or Sacramento, here are six essential fall maintenance tips for keeping your rental home in the best condition. 

1. Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris

The leaves are starting to fall and where do they land? Straight in the gutters. If gutters get clogged and water can’t flow, it could saturate the roof and lead to deterioration or leaks. Worse still, if left unchecked for winter, water that pools along your roof and in gutters can freeze, creating ‘ice dams’. This can cause expensive dramas — think damaged gutters, torn roof shingles and leaks into your home. Ensure you or your residents are keeping gutters clean and clear and inspect the roof for any leaks. 

If your property has a chimney, it will need a checkup. Chimneys remove dangerous gasses from the fireplace or furnace to keep the air breathable, so schedule an inspection before the winter chill sets in. 

If you supply a clothes dryer in a rental home, it’s about to get more use as the temperatures drop and rain increases. Inspect the lint filter and remind residents to clean this after every use to prevent fires.

When the mercury drops, residents like to keep their rental homes locked up tight with the heater cranked high. This contrast of temperatures, mixed with a lack of ventilation, is a perfect recipe for mold and mildew. Remind residents to keep the home well ventilated, such as running exhaust fans in the bathroom during and after a hot shower and opening windows on clear days. You can also recommend that residents use basic moisture absorbers (such as DampRid) in dark areas like closets and laundry rooms. Not only will it save your home, it will save their clothes and shoes. 

5. Check smoke detectors and fire extinguishers

Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner! With the kitchen about to get a heavy-duty workout, fall is a great time to test smoke detectors to ensure they’re working. It’s a resident’s responsibility to keep batteries replaced and smoke detectors functioning, so remind them during an inspection if needed. You should also check the expiration date of any fire extinguishers as they do have a shelf-life. 

6. Give your residents a gardening checklist

If your home has a garden, your residents will need to rake fallen leaves to avoid damage to the lawn underneath. It’s a good idea to provide your residents with a checklist of how to maintain your lawn during fall and winter, from raking and snow removal, to disconnecting sprinklers that may have run during the warmer months. And if you only fertilize the lawn once a year, fall is the time to do it.

Fall maintenance checklist for rental homes

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

Check house siding for damage and/or leaks

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

Rake leaves/have residents rake leaves and maintain yard

Prune trees and plants of any heat damage from the summer heat 

Shut off any automatic sprinkler systems that have run through the summer

Inspect roof and gutters, clearing out any debris 

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

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

Inspect any clothes dryers and lint filters

Test smoke detectors and check any fire extinguishers

Fall maintenance tips for Florida rental homes

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

With Florida winters being the mildest in the country, there’s no need to worry about incoming snow or frosty pipes. But, 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. If your residents lodge a repair for heat or hot water, 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. 

Read More: The Annual Maintenance Checklist for Rental Homes in Florida

Fall maintenance tips for Texas rental homes

Storms and hurricanes peak between August - October in Texas, with 96% of major hurricane days occurring in this 90-day window. This means late-fall is the right time to assess for any repairs required. Remove any loose debris from the yard and prune any trees that have the potential to cause damage through the end of the season. 

If any flooding or damage has occurred, you will be responsible for restoring the home to a livable condition. Your residents will continue to owe rent, but you may need to negotiate a rent pause or reduction while repairs are happening. 

Read More: What Landlords Should Know About Flood Damage (And How To Reduce Risk)

Fall maintenance tip for California rental homes

California state laws have strict conditions for habitability. It's a good idea to use the mild fall season to check things like plumbing, heating, electrical systems, garbage disposals and keep your rental free of potential hazards. Your residents will have to notify you in writing of any issues, but regular maintenance is the best prevention. 

Read More: The Annual Maintenance Checklist for Rental Homes in California

Fall maintenance tips for Seattle rental homes

This Comprehensive Fall Maintenance Checklist Is a Must For All Landlords

Rental Home Maintenance Made Easy

Find out what documentation you need as a landlord to ensure you’re on top of cash flow, ready for tax time, and protected if a lease agreement is breached.

Having These 9 Home-Rental Documents at Hand Will Make You A Much Better Landlord

Staying on top of your rental cash flow, your accounting, your income tax and your legal obligations, all comes down to one thing: paperwork. While there are more interesting ways to spend your time, getting your documentation in order will go a long way in making your life easier. Good recordkeeping can also safeguard your rights if a lease is violated or eviction becomes necessary. 

To get prepared and get on with your day, Belong has put together a list of 9 important documents you’ll need to keep on hand — as well as what you need to dispose of to avoid violating privacy laws. 

The first document you’ll need is an application form to vet people that want to rent your home. If you use management services this will be taken care of, but if you’re going it alone it’s a good idea to hire an attorney. This will ensure your documents collect required information without infringing on any laws around discrimination, security deposits or rental fees. 

You can also access free rental application forms by state on eforms. 

The right documentation is essential when screening tenants legally, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Tenant screening involves holding very sensitive information about a person, which could place them at risk of identity theft in the wrong hands. For this reason, most people prefer to use tenant screening services or a property management company to handle this documentation. 

If you’re taking a DIY approach, you need a screening checklist. Every question on your list must apply to every applicant. From social security numbers and credit score requirements to references. This standard will help to avoid illegal bias and discrimination.

Rental history and any evictions or loss of security deposits

References from previous landlords or property managers

Landlords are subject to The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) which gives applicants the right to access a copy of any screening reports and dispute inaccurate information. You must provide this documentation if requested. When you are no longer using the information, you can’t simply throw it in the trash. All personal documentation must be disposed of in accordance with FTC rules. 

Another important document you’ll need to have on hand if self-screening is known as an ‘adverse action letter’. If you need to deny an application based on poor credit scores or a consumer report, they need to be notified via an adverse action letter. This letter must include:

The name, address and phone number of the consumer reporting agency that supplied the credit report

Notice of the consumer's right to a free copy of their report from the reporting agency if they ask for it within 60 days

Notice of the right to dispute the accuracy or completeness of any information provided by the credit reporting agency

The consumer’s credit score, if a score was used

This notice is required by the FCRA and will provide information about why they were denied so they can dispute the information or take action to correct it if need be. You can learn more about this requirement on the FTC website. 

A lease agreement is a document that companies like Belong and property managers have on hand that abide by all federal and state landlord-tenant laws when it comes to signing on a resident to live in your home.

A typical lease agreement will last for 12 months, so you should keep this document for the duration of the tenancy and have any renewal papers prepared for people who wish to continue living in the home. 

Most states have rules around rental increases, security deposits, occupancy limits, property maintenance, late fees and more. Some states have specific clauses around bed bugs and lead paint, which may also need to be in the agreement. 

Like a rental application form, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice if you’re creating a lease for the first time. If you have a pet policy in place, you’ll also need a record of this agreement. 

One of the most important records to keep is how much rent has been paid and when. 

As soon as your home becomes a long-term rental, set up a separate bank account to receive rent payments. Next, decide how you’re going to track income and expenses. To do this, create a spreadsheet or use accounting or property management software to create a rental ledger. 

You’ll need records of how much rent has been paid and when for:

Tax submissions and calculating your tax rates for rental income

Providing receipts if tenants want them 

If you’re ever forced to evict a tenant on the grounds of non-payment, you will be required to prove the loss of income, so dates are important. Keep track of when rent is received, including partial payments, late payment and/or any fines collected (if any). 

Keeping financial statements of all outgoing expenses is essential for all rental homeowners, regardless of how the home is managed. You’ll need to keep your own accounting records, because you’ll have expenses that don’t flow through a management company, such as mortgage payments. 

Expense documentation you should keep and record includes:

Interest paid to a lender toward a mortgage on your rental property

Any federal and state taxes paid on the rental property such as property tax

The cost of insurance policies, such as property insurance and liability insurance

The cost of essential repairs and maintenance to the home

The purchase price of your home, to calculate depreciation at tax time

The cost of any home improvements and/or appliances, to calculate depreciation at tax time

Professional services for managing the home, such as Belong or a property management company

Travel and mileage expenses relating to renting out the home, such as property inspections, showing potential residents or maintenance requirements

Any home office expenses relevant to managing the rental property

Any casualty losses incurred, such as damage or theft not covered by insurance

From lease agreements to screening, taxes and privacy laws, good recordkeeping can make you a better landlord and safeguard your rights if something goes wrong.

Record Keeping For Landlords: 9 Documents You Need For a Rental Home

Documentation and Guaranteed Rent at Your Fingertips

Avoid sticky situations and mortgage fraud with 5 essential steps to renting out a mortgaged home.

Can I Rent out a Home with a Mortgage? 5 Important Steps

There are some very lucky homeowners who locked in interest rates back at record-lows. If that's you, you'll think twice before giving that up! This common scenario is creating a new wave of ‘accidental landlords’, who have decided to rent out their home while living somewhere else. 

But can you rent out a home with a mortgage? This question could be more important than you realize. Most lenders have rules and criteria around renting a home they have financed. So before you hand over any keys, this guide will look at five steps you need to take to legally rent out a home with a mortgage.

When you applied for a mortgage, you would have to account for the intended use of the home. It’s likely you told your bank you intended to live there and the interest rate/lending criteria was set on this basis.

It may seem innocent enough to change your mind, but stating on an application that you intend to live in a home that you are buying as an investment property is considered mortgage loan fraud. This is why the first step in your research process is to read over the fine print of your mortgage and check the restrictions on the type of loan you have. 

Most lenders will allow you to rent out a home once you have lived there for 12 months or more — but it’s important to check your own contracts and conditions before proceeding. While you’re checking the fine print, make sure your HOA doesn’t restrict rentals. 

Step 2: Notify your bank or lending institution

This leads us to step 2: Be forthcoming with your lender about your intentions to rent out the home. This will immediately clear up any possible misunderstandings about your mortgage agreement. The lender may need to discuss or alter the terms of your agreement to allow you to rent out the home. 

This also gives you the opportunity to discuss your circumstances. For example, some loan programs such as a USDA, VA, or FHA loan restrict renting out a home within the first year, but may be able to waive this if you need to move for work. 

Step 3: Conduct an accurate rental cash flow analysis

Once you know that you can legally rent out your home, it’s time to do the math.

Your rental cash flow won’t be your rental income minus the mortgage repayments. There’s a lot of expenses, management and maintenance costs you’ll need to take into account. You may be able to claim your mortgage interest on tax, but you’ll also have to pay income tax on any earnings. You’ll also need to account for vacancies, capital gains tax, and depreciation. 

It’s always wise to discuss your financial situation with an accountant to understand your gross operating expenses and the tax implications of renting out your home. 

Read More: How To Do An Accurate Rental Property Cash Flow Analysis

If you have homeowners insurance, it’s time to make a switch. Homeowners insurance only covers owner-occupiers, so you will need dedicated landlords insurance for a long-term rental. Expect to pay an average of 15-20% more for a landlord insurance policy than you would for standard homeowners insurance. While more expensive, the right policy can protect your asset, provide liability coverage and even cover loss of rental income. 

If your home is looked after by BelongPRO, we offer dedicated insurance for rental homes right in the Belong app. You can even choose to deduct monthly repayments from your rental income to simplify your cash flow. 

Read More: What Type of Insurance Should I Get For My Rental Property?

The final step in turning your mortgaged home into a long-term rental is to decide how you want to manage the home. Belong regularly encounters homeowners who feel like they “got it wrong” the first time, or took on more than they bargained for. 

As a company who works with homeowners who are looking for a better alternative to self-managing a rental or are ditching property management, we hear a lot of gripes! Things like “I didn’t realize I would be taking on another part-time job”, or “It became really hard to chase rent when my tenant stopped paying”.

One of Belong’s specialties is working with homeowners that find themselves on the rental market unexpectedly or are taking the challenge of rental home management on for the first time. We offer financial security and peace of mind for homeowners with guaranteed rent, 24/7 support (to you and your residents) and a range of innovative services not available with traditional property management. 

Read More: What Should I Know Before Renting Out My House For The First Time?

Turn your home into a rental, without the worry

Belong looks after rental homes, but we’re no old-school property management company.  Think of us more as a technology company with a human heart. Where long-term renting meets hospitality.

Learn more about BelongPRO and see why thousands of US homeowners are ditching outdated Property Management in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Austin, Tampa, Jacksonville, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Spokane, Concord, Berkeley, Orlando and many more.

Can you rent out a home with a mortgage? Not without a plan. Avoid sticky situations and mortgage fraud with 5 essential steps to renting out a mortgaged home.

Financial Security Made Simple for Rental Homeowners

Creating a lease or rental agreement isn't as simple as downloading a form. Before you start, here's 7 important clauses and disclosures you'll want to include.

7 Important Clauses to Include in Your Lease or Rental Agreement

There’s no shortage of free online templates to create a simple lease agreement. And we get the temptation this gives to homeowners managing their own rental. Few people love reading lengthy contracts let alone creating them. If they’re all pretty standard, why not? 

But before you go down that road, remember this: a lease is a binding legal document designed to protect you and your rental home. Will a boilerplate take enough into account? Overlooking vital details could come back to bite you down the road. It’s always recommended that you speak to a local attorney before signing on any dotted lines. 

Whether you’re planning to outsource the 'legalese' or hit download on a template, here's 7 important clauses and disclosures that should be in your lease or rental agreement.

Only the people named on your lease agreement are legally responsible for paying the rent and following the terms. This is why all adult members of the household need to be listed. Partners, roommates — get it in writing. Include an occupancy clause that states that only the named tenants and their children can occupy the home. A clause should also prohibit subletting and unapproved occupants to further protect your home from unauthorized use, particularly on short-term rental platforms that may violate the terms of your landlord's insurance policy. 

2. Payment terms for rent and security deposit

Your lease should obviously list the agreed rental price and security deposit amount. But you can avoid messy disputes by detailing the specific payment terms. Your lease agreement should include details such as:

When rent is due and the frequency of payments

What will happen if the rent is late (including details of fees if they apply in your state)

What will happen if a check bounces or payment declines

The amount of security deposit due and where it will be held

Whether interest will apply on the security deposit, based on local laws

The terms in which the security deposit will be returned 

Every state and jurisdiction is different, which is why it’s important to seek professional help for legislation around rent and security deposits. For example, in California a security deposit can’t exceed two months rent, but it’s limited to one month if the tenant is an active service member. In Texas, there is no limit applied. In Washington, you must allow tenants to pay the deposit in installments if the amount is more than 25% of the monthly rent. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to drafting a lease for renting in the US. 

3. Policies around proper use of the home

How you want the rental home and surrounds used should be clear to tenants before they move in, avoiding headaches down the road.  

For example, if you have parking for one car, spell that out. Don’t assume that your residents won’t use the lawn to park their partner’s car or store an RV if you haven’t told them they can’t. A boilerplate won’t have any specifics relating to your home, so these details will need to be considered carefully. 

When Belong drafts a lease agreement, we make sure to include specific policies and permissions including:

Authorized and/or prohibited parking on the property

Storage notice for personal use only, not storage for other people or hazardous materials 

An outline of who is responsible for paying for utilities and services to the home

Legal use of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide, plus reporting and maintenance requirements

The responsibilities of the resident for maintenance and reporting faults, including what they need to replace themselves, such as light bulbs

Garden maintenance and watering requirements as applicable to the home

A no smoking policy, prohibiting smoking and vaping in the home and common areas

A drug policy, prohibiting the use, growing and distribution of drugs, marijuana or related products on, in or about the home

A policy for requesting any alterations around the home, including painting

Local conditions in the neighborhood, such as city noise restrictions

Learn More: Discover Belong PRO, the best alternative to Property Management in Seattle, Redmond, Oakland, and many more cities across California, Florida, Texas, Utah, North Carolina and Washington State.

4. Statutory disclosures for your local area

Depending on where your home is located, there could be a number of legal disclosures you are required to include in a lease agreement. For example, if your home is in the state of California, you are legally required to include:

A ‘Megan’s Law’ database disclosure statement

Disclosure of any known mold or ventilation issues in the home and agreement to keep the home free of mold and mildew

A lead paint warning statement and disclosure of any known lead-based paint or hazards in the house (for homes built prior to 1978)

Any known contamination from methamphetamine of fentanyl 

Information about bed bugs and reporting requirements

Information about flood hazards if applicable to the home

How to comply with smoke and carbon monoxide detector requirements

Any rent caps or rent control regulations applicable to the local city

Research your local municipality and state landlord-tenant laws if you decide to manage a lease on your own. 

Discover Belong PRO: Skip the research and let Belong take care of everything. See why thousands of US homeowners are ditching outdated Property Management in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Jacksonville, Concord, Berkeley, Orlando and more.

Even if you have insurance for your rental home, it won’t cover the residents or their personal belongings while they rent. Your lease agreement should make it clear that residents are responsible for their own insurance to protect against loss in and around the home. 

If your home is loved by Belong, we require all residents to carry their own renter’s insurance with liability coverage to protect them and our homeowners. Our lease agreements stipulate proof of this policy before commencement of the agreement and prior to any renewals. 

If you decide to make your rental home pet-friendly, you’ll need a pet policy or addendum in your lease agreement. Like the residents themselves, this policy should specify the approved pet only. If other unauthorized animals are kept in the home this would be considered a lease violation. 

Creating a dedicated pet policy and/or clause in your lease will protect you in the future if you need to claim against the security deposit to cover damages. Your pet policy or clause should include:

The listed approved pet/s including the type and breed

Whether an additional security deposit is required and how much

What damages can be claimed under the security deposit

The resident’s responsibilities for keeping the pet under control and cared for, avoiding damage and nuisance to your home and neighboring properties 

The resident’s responsibility for replacing any damage within the home such as blinds, door frames, and carpets

Whether or not you have a requirement for pest control upon vacating the home (such as flea treating carpets) 

Financial Security Made Simple

Is it worth investing in environmentally-friendly upgrades in a rental home? Discover cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency and attract more renters

7 Cost-Effective Ways To Make Your Rental Home Sustainable in 2024

Imagine you can choose between two similar houses. One has energy efficient upgrades, the other untouched — which would you choose? It’s safe to assume that renters are making the same decisions when looking for a place to call home. 

You don’t need to be an eco-warrior to know that running an energy efficient home makes sense. The energy use in our home has a big impact on our utility bills, but it’s also the top contributor for our individual carbon footprint. Home energy accounts for almost a third (32%) of the average American’s carbon footprint. 

For the millions of Americans who rent, reducing this carbon footprint is easier said than done. Most sustainability measures target homeowners, leaving renters to put up with emission-heavy homes. In 2024, it’s important for homeowners to invest in sustainability measures for their houses. This will help your investment to stand out and attract conscientious residents. 

Is it worth investing in sustainable options for a rental home?

Rental property owners want to know there will be a return on any investment made in the home. It’s important not to overspend and eat into your cash flow when modernizing a home. So what is the value in going green? Are environmentally-friendly rentals worth the time and cost?

Here are a few benefits homeowners might expect from investing in sustainability for their rental home:

Energy-efficient rentals cost less to run which makes them more attractive to applicants — reducing vacancies and attracting more rent than a non-efficient home

Research suggests that 61% of renters would pay more each month in rent for an eco-friendly apartment, which likely applies to single-family homes which cost more to run

Well-insulated homes have less issues with damaging mold growth

Sustainable housing aligns with the values of modern Millennial and Gen Z renters 

Sustainable rentals will have the upper-hand on competing homes, potentially increasing the rent value and decreasing vacancy rates

Lower overheads for any homeowners who include utilities in the rent

Sustainability measures in residential houses reduce carbon emissions (for the home we’re all responsible for, our planet!)

7 cost-effective ways to make your rental home environmentally-friendly

Before you jump in, do your homework. Decide what your sustainability goals are and set a budget. This will help you determine the most cost efficient way to modify your rental home. 

To get you started, here are seven ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your rental home without forking out on big ticket items such as solar panels and heat pumps. 

1. Improve the insulation of your rental home

Energy Star recommends sealing and insulation as the most cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency in a home. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates an average saving of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by air sealing homes and adding insulation.

Sealing and insulation measures could include:

Adding insulation to the ceiling/attic/walls of your rental home

Installing weather stripping on doors and caulking around windows

Apply window film to reduce cold air and condensation build up (also reduces mold!)

2. Upgrade to energy efficient lighting and appliances in a rental home

Old lighting and appliances can chew up a lot of energy. Switching to energy efficient LED bulbs will improve the energy use and lifespan of the bulbs in your home. 

When it comes time to refurbish or replace appliances in the home such as ovens, fridges and stove tops, even water heaters — look for energy ratings and appliances that will last a long time to serve residents for years to come. Check Energy Star for the government-backed standard for rating of new appliances. 

3. Install smart home devices that can monitor and improve energy use in your rental property

Smart home tech is not just for homeowners anymore, with plenty of affordable options on the market that can benefit renters and deliver energy savings. A rent.com survey showed that if renters could choose one smart home device, a smart thermostat would be it. Smart thermostats have the potential to save energy and utility costs for residents and are fairly inexpensive as far as devices go. 

Some new thermostats such as the Google Nest also offer HVAC monitoring, alerting homeowners when filters need changing or there’s a repair issue to address. This could go a long way in reducing maintenance costs in the long run, by allowing you to repair simple problems before they become costly headaches. 

4. Promote water conservation with your residents

Water conservation is crucial in regions prone to drought. You can help residents reduce water wastage in your rental home by ensuring fixtures are low-flow and leaks are addressed promptly. 

Installing aerators on faucets and modern low-flow showerheads to reduce water flow without compromising water pressure

Upgrading old toilets with dual-flush models that can use less water

Regularly inspect the plumbing fixtures and pipes for leaks that can waste water without your residents realizing

Opt for drought-tolerant plants in any garden areas and consider smart sprinkler systems that can control water use and switch off during wet seasons

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