Ever walked into your rental in the first hot week of summer and immediately spotted broken gutters, dirty vents, or mold creeping in? A workable vacation rental maintenance checklist can save unexpended surprises.

Why Spring & Summer Prep Matters

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Let me ask you something—when was the last time you checked your AC filters? Or the condition of your patio furniture?

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If you just muttered, “…uhhh,” don’t worry, you’re not alone.

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Spring and summer are peak booking seasons for most vacation rentals. That means sunshine, full calendars, and (unfortunately) maintenance headaches waiting to strike if you’re not prepared.

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That’s why we made this checklist. A little prep now = less stress later.

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Spring Maintenance Must-Dos

Spring is your “pre-game warm-up.” It’s all about waking the property up after a sleepy winter.

1. HVAC & Air Systems

• Guests don’t forgive sweaty nights.
• Clean filters, test AC units, and service your HVAC.
• Check vents and thermostats—smart tech helps a lot here.

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👉 Fact: A dirty air filter can increase energy use by 15%. Worth the 5-minute swap, right?

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2. Outdoor Power Wash

• Think patios, decks, siding, walkways.
• Moss? Mold? Nope. Guests notice.

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Use a mix of vinegar and elbow grease—or hire a local cleaner who won’t break the budget.

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3. Gutter & Roof Check

• Leaves and winter debris = water damage risk.
• Hire a roofer or do a quick drone flyover if you’re tech-savvy.

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4. Window & Screen Cleaning

• Sparkling windows = wow factor.
• Also, screens keep bugs out, and that’s something guests really care about.

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Want more DIY tips? Check out the Vacation Rental Resolutions Podcast:
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Summer Maintenance Essentials

Summer = full calendars and guest turnover. Your goal? Smooth sailing.

1. Inspect Outdoor Furniture

• No one wants to sit on a rusty chair. Or worse—fall off one.
• Tighten screws, wipe cushions, replace faded or moldy items.

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2. Pest Control

• Summer = bugs. Get ahead of them.
• Schedule a spray or use natural repellents like citronella and peppermint oil.

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Question: Did you know ants leave scent trails to guide others? Wipe surfaces with vinegar to disrupt their GPS.

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3. BBQ & Outdoor Kitchen Prep

• Clean grills, refill propane, and leave clear usage instructions.
• Bonus points if you stock BBQ tools in a labelled bin—guests will love it.

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4. Deep-Clean the Welcome Mat (literally)

• It’s small, but it’s the first thing guests see.
• Shake it out, vacuum it, maybe even replace it seasonally.

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Bonus: One System to Rule Them All

Want to save time and avoid missed maintenance?

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Here’s my personal system:

• Create a Google Sheet with seasonal tasks.

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• Add dates for each item.

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• Set calendar reminders (you only need to do this once).

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• Share it with your cleaner or handyman.

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That’s it. No fancy apps. Just old-school organisation that works.

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👉 This system is part of the Launch Your First Vacation Rental course. Yep, we walk you through how to create your custom maintenance tracker.

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Running a rental isn’t just throw pillows and hashtags.

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The “The 7-Day Vacation Rental Jumpstart” download helps you automate, price smart, and host like a pro.” Get your copy now!

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You can find a link in the show notes.

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What’s the one maintenance task you always forget until a guest complains?

Drop it in the comments.

Here Are Your Key Takeaways

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In Conclusion

Spring and summer maintenance doesn’t have to be a grind. It’s all about setting up systems that work for you. Your future self (and your 5-star reviews) will thank you.

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And hey, if you’re still figuring out how to juggle it all—don’t go it alone. The “Launch Your First Vacation Rental” course walks you through this and more.

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Need more checklists, ideas, or inspiration? Join the “Launch Your First Vacation Rental” course. Get the tools, templates, and support you need.

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If you liked this episode, you also might like “How Can Technology Help Uncover Vacation Rental Hidden Costs” episode 27.

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Subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode—and if you liked this one, feel free to buy us a coffee. It helps keep the scones hot and the advice flowing.