Helping your rental recover after a scorching summer
Only last month we were telling homeowners how to make the most of the summer to sell – and now we’re talking about the end of summer and what landlords should have on their maintenance checklist - even though there’s at least one more heatwave to come.
But the reality is that it’s only a few weeks until summer ends and the cooler weather arrives so you should ensure your rental property is prepared for the shift in temperatures and change in seasons.
Show the garden some love
Your rental property’s outside space is likely looking a little scorched after the summer heatwaves. While your tenants may have celebrated not having to lug the lawnmower out every week, gardens will need a little TLC to recover from the record temperatures of 2026 and so this might be an additional job to add to your list.
Lawns will benefit from deep watering, aerating and overseeding, with an autumn lawn feed to help them recover. Soil will also be dry and compacted, so could also use a little assistance – such as adding compost, well-rotted manure or leaf mould. Apply mulch around surviving plants to protect and use a gentle feed to give some much-needed nutrients. Others, such as bedding plants, may not have survived and may need replacing – especially if you are reletting the property and need to add some colour.
If you don’t have one in your rental property, then a water butt will make the most of the rainfall when it does come. It’s better for the garden and helps beat a hosepipe ban if we see similar extended heatwaves next summer too.
Cut back trees and vegetation
Cutting back trees and vegetation ahead of autumn can help prevent problems caused by overgrowth in autumn winds, particularly if it’s in danger of causing damage because it’s getting too close to roofs, walls or fences. However, if pruning shrubs check the best time to cut back.
Check gutters and drains
Rain may have been a rarity over the summer but is sure to return with a vengeance and when it does it’s more important than ever to ensure your property is ready to cope. It’s worth checking that gutters and drains are clear and in a good state of repair so that they are ready to handle a deluge.
Check roofs for damage
While checking roofs after winter storms is vital it’s also important to check after the summer since the heat may have also damaged roofing materials. Prolonged exposure to heat can weaken the felt material of flat roofs, for example, causing the felt to crack or split. You should also keep an eye out for slipped, cracked or loose tiles that could move further in autumn winds.
Run early heating system checks
By October, tenants are likely to have begun putting the heating back on – exposing heating systems that may not be quite up to the job, which will mean a rush for heating engineers. Servicing heating systems at the end of summer means both you and your tenants can be sure they will remain warm and cosy throughout the colder months.
Check for energy efficiency improvements you can make
With energy efficiency still on tenants’ minds, your end-of-summer maintenance check can also include analysis of how energy efficient your property is and whether further improvements can be made. Damaged windows or blown double-glazing may not have had much of an impact over the summer but will soon become an energy drain once it’s colder. With energy prices on the rise again your tenants will appreciate any savings you can make for them.
Proctors is an independent network of individual estate agent businesses with branches in Beckenham, Bromley, Park Langley, Petts Wood, Shirley and West Wickham. We’ve been buying, selling and letting in these areas since 1946. Get in touch to find out how we can help you with your property requirements.