by Rosie McLean 
The traditional spring clean is a great time for a deep clean and declutter and a chance to review your property for maintenance jobs that should be added to your landlord list over the coming weeks – such as the need for a fresh lick of paint in a bedroom or the replacement of mouldy, unsightly sealant in a bathroom. Doing this will help to ensure your property continues to appeal to prospective tenants and helps to maximise your opportunity for profitability.
Start with decluttering and a deep clean
One of the biggest first jobs in a spring clean is to declutter. If the property that you rent out is furnished then this is an opportunity to look at what is on the inventory list and check that everything is fit for purpose and doesn’t need replacing, as well as whether it’s actually necessary or is taking up valuable storage or floorspace that your tenants may want to use differently.
As you uncover or empty each space then it’s the perfect time to pop on the Marigolds and give each cupboard, counter or shelf a good wipe down (or scrub) to leave it sparkling and grime-free.
Wipe walls, skirting and doorframes
Your shelves and cupboards may now be dirt-free but areas that often get overlooked during the normal cleaning process are walls, skirting and doorframes. Removing cobwebs from ceilings with soft brushes, and grimy fingerprints from walls, light switches and door handles with a cloth dipped in warm, soapy water will make a big difference to the freshness of your property.
Look at your windows
With the warmer weather encouraging the opening of windows, a gentle breeze disturbing months of dust on blinds and curtains isn’t going to be a nice experience. This is a good time to dust and clean blinds while also giving any curtains a good wash and line dry. Remember to also clean the windows and sills both inside and out.
Clean carpets and floors
Spring is also a good time to deep clean carpets and floors. You might want to bring in professionals or you can hire steam cleaning appliances that will bring carpets up to look like new. Hard flooring can also be steam cleaned and resealed if appropriate.
Clean appliances and get rid of limescale
A spring clean is also a good time to deep clean appliances – removing burnt-on food and debris from ovens and microwaves and gunk and grime from washing machines and dishwashers, for example. A bit of elbow grease will leave such appliances looking like new for your next tenant.
Another thing to look for is deposits such as limescale that may have built up in toilets, shower screens or draining boards. Using limescale-busting products, or traditional alternatives such as lemons, will help bring back their gleam.
Move outside
While the spring clean tends to focus on the inside of the property you should put the same effort into your space outside too to help wow prospective tenants. Replanting and tidying up flower beds, removing weeds and old fallen leaves and getting the lawnmower out will provide an instant outdoor refresh. Maintenance jobs such as painting fences should also be done.
Power washing patios and scrubbing outdoor furniture to rid them of winter muck will improve garden appeal while clearing gutters and downspouts will make your property look more appealing and reduce the risk of water damage caused by overflows.
Even if your property isn’t empty, incorporating some of these spring cleaning and maintenance principles into your upcoming property inspections is also a good idea, allowing you to identify potential problems early to keep existing tenants happy in your property and to minimise vacancies.
