SPRING HAS SPRING

KQ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT / 2021 SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

As I sit in my den to write this article, I’m looking out the large picture window at the sprinklers running in my backyard, the green leaves popping out on the hydrangea bush and a grouping of tulips standing bright and colorful along the fence. Spring has finally arrived in the Tri-Cities. Soon, I realize I’ve started mentally putting together a list of things I’d love to spruce up on my house this season. Focus Julie, you have an interesting article to write for the people! Well…can I say AHA! moment. If I, as a homeowner, want to spruce up my house because Spring has “sprung”, it’s of course something a Tenant is thinking about also and certainly something a Landlord should be considering. I like to think we are all sitting, looking out our window & having the same thoughts today. So, let’s chat about Spring and Rentals. To all the Tenants out there, you may not own the house, but you can have a green thumb gardenbonanza in your rental without violating your lease or losing your deposit. You just want to be respectful to the property while doing it. Here’s some ideas from the property management employee who hates getting dirty in the garden. Veggie Gardens are possible without digging up the grass at your rental or even if your rental has no grass. If you’re handy or crafty, you can easily build a garden box in the yard. Just make sure it’s on legs off the ground so it doesn’t kill the grass off. Bonus is being able to care for your veggies without bending over for an hour and getting stuck like that (my friends over 40 understand). If you’re not interested in construction, or the current price of wood scares you, grow veggies in containers on your patio or porch. Use wheeled

plant stands to make it easy to move the heavy planters around or hang smaller ones from the porch railings. Save money by looking around your house for creative garden containers. I mean if your kid’s too old for their toy wagon… plant some veggies in it. Also Tenants, most Landlords will be okay with you planting flowers in the yard, or maybe even a flowering bush. Just make sure you get approval from the Landlord first and for each outdoor change you want to make. One approval isn’t a blanket or future approval. Finally, if you can’t plant flowers in the ground, spruce up your patio, balcony, or front porch with flowers in pots and hanging baskets. Again, make sure you keep them elevated so you can clean under them and they don’t leave rust stains on the concrete. Landlords, Spring is a great time to start thinking about the long-term maintenance needs of your property to protect it for the future and keep it looking good for your tenants. Take inventory of possible needs like an exterior re-paint, new gutters, roof maintenance or upgrading windows. Consider having an HVAC inspection & general maintenance done before your tenant’s will need to run the air conditioner regularly. Most HVAC companies have semi-annual Spring/Fall service plans. If you’re a landlord with us, we have a great plan you can sign up with – call me! And a simple, low-cost maintenance idea is to have the exterior of the house power washed. It’ll freshen up the house, remove mildew, animal droppings & if increase the longevity of siding. Happy Spring everyone!