Rental Property Maintenance Schedule: A Year-Round Checklist
Regular maintenance is cheaper than emergency repairs and keeps good tenants. Plan it once, then put it on the calendar.
Every month (or ask tenants)
- ☐ Respond to repair requests promptly and log them
- ☐ Check common areas, lighting and exits if you have them
Every 3 months
- ☐ Replace or ask tenants to replace HVAC filters
- ☐ Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (or remind tenants; rules vary)
- ☐ Look for leaks under sinks and around toilets and water heaters
Spring
- ☐ Service the air conditioning
- ☐ Inspect the roof, gutters and downspouts
- ☐ Check exterior paint, siding and caulking
- ☐ Look for pests and drainage problems
Fall
- ☐ Service the furnace or boiler
- ☐ Clean gutters
- ☐ Winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation
- ☐ Check weatherstripping, windows and doors
- ☐ Chimney inspection, if there is one
Once a year
- ☐ Walkthrough inspection with proper notice of entry (see notice of entry)
- ☐ Flush the water heater (follow the manufacturer's advice)
- ☐ Clean the dryer vent
- ☐ Review insurance and update the property fact sheet
- ☐ Replace smoke alarm batteries if needed; replace alarms per the manufacturer (often every 10 years)
Log every repair
| Date requested | Issue | Who fixed | Cost | Date done |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The log shows you responded promptly, and it feeds your expense records for Schedule E (expense categories).
General information. Use licensed professionals for electrical, gas and structural work.
The Small Landlord Toolkit includes a yearly maintenance calendar and a maintenance request log.
Small Landlord Toolkit — $19
18-page toolkit for 1-10 unit landlords: rental application, fair screening criteria, move-in inspection, rent ledger and Schedule E expense totals. Instant download: PDF + DOCX + XLSX.
Get the Small Landlord ToolkitFamily Paperwork Bundle — $34More guides
- Landlord Checklist: Before You Rent Out Your Property
- Rental Application: What To Include (and What Not To Ask)
- Tenant Screening Criteria and Fair Housing: A Plain-English Guide
- Adverse Action Notice for Landlords: When and How To Send One
- Move-In Inspection Checklist for Landlords and Tenants
- Rent Ledger: How To Track Rent Payments (Free Template Layout)
- Security Deposit Return: A Landlord Checklist
- Schedule E Rental Expenses: Categories Small Landlords Should Track
- Notice of Entry: How Landlords Should Give Notice Before Entering