April has emerged as one of the most expensive months of the year for landlord maintenance as property owners use the spring period to tackle larger repair works.
New data from Rushbrook & Rathbone shows that April accounted for 11.5% of total annual maintenance spend in 2025, making it the second highest month of the year behind July (11.6%).
The spike comes despite April ranking only eighth in terms of activity levels, with just 7.8% of total maintenance work orders recorded during the month.
Instead, the data points to a shift towards fewer but more substantial jobs, with the average cost per work order reaching £797 in April – the highest of any month across the year.
SEASONAL PATTERN
The trend reflects a seasonal pattern, with landlords using improved weather conditions to address larger issues that may have built up over winter, including external repairs, redecorating and more disruptive works.
It also highlights a strategic approach to property management, as landlords prepare assets for the months ahead, particularly in advance of the typically busier summer lettings period.
SPRING CLEAN
Sarah Rushbrook (main picture, inset),Founder of Rushbrook & Rathbone, says: “Many of us seize on the early spring months as an opportunity to get our homes ship shape and repair any damage caused during the longer and colder winter months.
“It is no different when it comes to rental property maintenance. Whilst the number of maintenance jobs carried out in April is lower than in many other months, the average spend per job is the highest of the year. This highlights that landlords are using the spring period to get their properties back to full working order by tackling fewer, but more substantial, tasks.”
BETTER WEATHER
And she adds: “The better weather and longer days also make it far easier to undertake works that may have been delayed over winter, particularly where external repairs, redecorating or more disruptive works are involved.
“For many landlords, spring is also an important opportunity to ensure that a property is in the best possible condition for the year ahead, whether that is to protect its value, improve the experience for tenants, or prepare it for the busier summer lettings market.”
