Preventative maintenance is an essential component of rental property ownership. A stitch in time saves nine, and leaving minor issues to become critical problems takes more time and money to repair. This will prevent having tenants that occupy your property, leaving you without an income.
Undertaking regular maintenance can be time-consuming and costly, but it is necessary to be a good landlord who attracts the right type of tenants to their property. Here are typical preventive maintenance landlords should stay on top of:
Plumbing problems
While tenants might report plumbing issues during their stay, some might not regard leaky faucets or drains may not draw their attention. Plumbing problems cause water wastage and can cause structural damage to the house.
Affordable Property Management is a California-based company with agents who keep abreast of maintenance issues and inform owners of work that becomes necessary. They undertake thorough routine inspections of properties they manage to catch maintenance niggles before they become crises. Plumbing issues are among the most frequent they see, and early action prevents substantial damage.
Extermination and deep cleaning
The time window between one set of tenants moving out and another moving in is perfect for getting your rental property cleaned from top to bottom. Pest problems often do not reveal themselves until it is too late.
Therefore, even if you cannot see a termite problem, that does not mean they are not busy under the floors or in-ceiling trusses. Having an exterminator perform a general inspection and putting down any necessary poisons ensures that pests do not become an issue.
Having professionals steam clean carpets and blinds gives you a chance to take care of dirt and stains before they become so bad that you have no choice but to replace them. It is also a great way of welcoming new tenants to your property.
Safety checks
As a rental property owner, the last thing you want is a call in the middle of the night informing you that there is a house fire. Such events can be prevented with some simple maintenance tasks.
Start with having an electrician inspect the house’s wiring, including plug points, to ensure zero damage or potential for fire. Electrical fires are the leading cause of domestic blazes. Next, check smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to ensure they are working. These mechanisms provide early warning and immediate action should a fire occur.
Painting
Some tenants leave your home in a terrible state, with streaks and marks on the walls. If these cannot be scrubbed off during cleaning, you will need to get a good paint job. Most landlords have strict rules about tenants painting in their homes. Managing this task allows you to choose a suitable paint color and ensure the job is done properly.
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders if you are showing the house to potential tenants. They are more likely to show interest in the property if it is aesthetically appealing. Choose neutral paint colors to allow tenants’ furnishings to blend in well.
Exterior maintenance
While your property stands empty, get a contractor to inspect the roof and gutters for leaks. Water getting into the roof can cause rotting wood and drywall and leads to a buildup of potentially hazardous mold. Gutters need regular cleaning, or they will overflow. The water running down walls and settling on the ground can cause rising damp and other structural damage.
Other external maintenance tasks include inspecting the outside air conditioning unit and replacing any damaged parts. You should check windows and doors to ensure that they seal properly and that no glass panes need replacement.