A Month by Month Home Maintenance Checklist
Nobody wants a 200-item maintenance list. You want to know what actually matters this month so the expensive stuff doesn't sneak up on you. This is the list I'd hand a friend who just bought their first house in Georgia. It mixes the physical stuff (filters, gutters, alarms) with the paper stuff (tax and insurance dates), because missing either one costs money.
Every month
- Test smoke alarms. The U.S. Fire Administration says to test them monthly. In a fire you may have less than two minutes to get out.
- Test carbon monoxide alarms. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also says monthly.
- Clean the dryer lint filter before and after every load. A clogged filter or vent raises fire risk.
- Look at your HVAC filter. Many need changing every one to three months. Pets and allergies mean sooner.
Season by season
| Month | House | Paperwork |
|---|---|---|
| January | Protect exposed pipes in cold snaps | Collect your mortgage interest form (1098) and tax receipts. If you just bought, plan to file your homestead exemption. |
| February | Test the sump pump if you have one | Gather rental records if you rent anything out |
| March | Book spring AC service before the rush | Homestead exemption: file early, don't wait for the deadline |
| April | Clean gutters, check the roof after winter | Watch for your assessment notice. You have 45 days to appeal. |
| May | Termite inspection or bond renewal. Check drainage away from the foundation. | Appeal deadlines land now in many counties |
| June | Hurricane season starts June 1 | Review flood and wind coverage. New flood policies usually wait 30 days. |
| July | Inspect deck, fence and exterior paint | Mid-year look at insurance and escrow |
| August | Schedule furnace and chimney service | Check warranty expiration dates. Cobb mails tax bills by August 15. |
| September | Clean gutters again before leaves fall | Review your homeowners policy before renewal |
| October | Winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation | Cobb property tax due October 15 |
| November | Furnace check before the first real cold night | Many Georgia counties have tax bills due now or in December |
| December | Check weatherstripping around doors and windows | File receipts for improvements. They raise your home's cost basis when you sell. |
Once a year
- Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year (not needed for sealed 10-year alarms), and replace the whole alarm every 10 years.
- Make sure you have smoke alarms inside and outside each sleeping area and on every level, and CO alarms on each level and outside sleeping areas.
- Check that your outdoor dryer vent flap opens and the duct isn't crushed.
Want this on one page? Grab the free 12 month homeowner checklist and stick it on the fridge.
Common questions
How often should I test my smoke alarms?
Monthly, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Replace batteries at least once a year unless it's a sealed 10-year alarm, and replace the alarm every 10 years.
Where should carbon monoxide alarms go?
The CPSC recommends a CO alarm on each level of the home and outside sleeping areas, tested monthly.
Never miss the date. HomeDue reads the documents that came with your property and reminds you 30, 7 and 1 day before every deadline. Join the waitlist or grab the free 12 month checklist.
Sources checked October 2026:
General information for Georgia property owners, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Rules change, so check the official source or a professional before you act.