Autumn clean-up and winter readiness: Smart Maintenance Moves for Landlords

With autumn underway, now is the ideal time to prepare your rental property for the colder, wetter months ahead. A bit of preventative maintenance now can save thousands in repairs later and protect your investment from the elements.

Start with the basics: gutters and drains. Falling leaves, moss and debris can quickly block spouting, causing water to overflow and pool around the foundation or leak into ceilings and walls. Clear out gutters and check that all downpipes are flowing freely. It’s one of the most overlooked jobs - and one of the most important.

Roof checks are also critical. Loose tiles, damaged flashing or buildup of lichen can cause leaks and long-term damage. The same goes for trimming back overhanging branches; now’s the time, before winter storms arrive. Branches can block sunlight, break under wind pressure, and drop more leaves where you don’t want them.

Routine inspections conducted by your Harcourts property manager can identify a lot - but let’s be clear, they’re visual only. We can’t see what’s on the roof or deep in the gutters. That’s why we recommend landlords think of their rental the same way they’d look after their own home. If you’d call someone in to sort it at your place, chances are your rental needs it too.

It’s also worth revisiting Healthy Homes compliance at this time of year. Once a property is compliant, it’s easy to assume it stays that way, but heating systems need regular servicing, extractor fans lose effectiveness when clogged, and insulation can shift over time. Use this seasonal change to review your compliance status and plan any topups or maintenance to stay ahead of the curve.

And let’s be honest; climbing a ladder, clearing gutters, pruning trees and inspecting roofs isn’t exactly how you pictured spending your weekends. If you're not keen to throw on your overalls and channel your inner DIY landlord, your Harcourts property manager can coordinate it all for you. We’ve got the contacts, the compliance knowhow, and the systems in place to get it done without the stress, or the sprained ankle.

Protecting your investment doesn’t need to be hard. A bit of planning now will help your property stay warm, dry and problem-free through winter and set you up for success in spring.