Spring Tips for Tenants

By Dave Fleming, published June 7, 2021. Updated March 2, 2022.

I've gathered these quick tips to make sure your rental is running efficiently and cool in the hot months. I've also included other advice to minimize the risk of surprise summer maintenance. If you're one of my tenants, you can access a full spring checklist at your tenant portal.

1. Adjust the dampers. If your upstairs is hotter than the downstairs, restrict lower level airflow. If you have a top/bottom vent setup, close the bottom vents so that air will draw from the higher point where it's warmer. 

2. Adjust the direction of your ceiling fans. Fan blades should be runi​ng counter-clockwise in the warmer months for maximum air flow. Fans are typically on this setting, but if you follow my Renting 101: Winter Tips for Tenants, you'll know fans can be switched to run clockwise and push warm air down. The switch to change fan direction is usually on the base of the fan near the pull chains. When set for summer, you should feel a downward breeze when standing under the fan.

3. Clean your gutters. If this is your responsibility as tenant, spring is a great time to clear out accumulation from the winter and leftover autumn leaves. This should ensure your gutters will whisk water away from the rental all summer. If you aren't responsible for gutter cleaning, keep an eye on them anyway as unexpected build-up between cleanings could create a leak or worse inside your home. If you ever notice any build-up or water overflowing the gutters, submit a maintenance request.

4. Spring cleaning. I know, it's cliché, but a good deep clean in the spring can freshen up your home as well as minimize build-up making your move-out cleaning an even larger headache. Some items often overlooked include dryer vents (vacuum the lint trap and check the exterior vent), washer seals, garbage disposal, and running cleaning cycles on dishwasher and range. See the cleaning guide provided at move-in for cleaning tips.

I hope this helps keep your rental in tip top shape all summer so you can spend more time worrying about what SPF to use. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions for my Renting 101 pages. Thanks for reading!

Check out this similar article: Winter Tips for Tenants.

Next Article: Winter Tips for Tenants.

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