Property maintenance: a subject that often causes grumbling among landlords, and with good reason! Keeping a property in good repair requires significant time, work, and money, and your efforts can feel futile if tenants aren’t appreciative or fail to take good care of the unit themselves.
But despite the drawbacks, maintenance is a necessary extension of your property investment. Not only are landlords obligated to keep each unit safe and habitable, but a well-maintained property is much more likely to retain its value. In addition, keeping maintenance a high priority will allow you to charge higher rent, sustain better relationships with tenants, entice tenants to stay longer, and attract future renters and even buyers.
So what maintenance tasks justify the cost? The answer will largely depend on the unit’s age, location, amenities, etc. But regardless of the details of your property, here are some maintenance items you’re likely to find worth the investment:
During routine unit inspections, look for signs of water damage near toilets, sinks, showers, and other fixtures to catch leaks early.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries when appropriate unless your lease assigns these tasks to tenants.
Regularly survey electrical and mechanical systems. Replace filters and have moving parts, such as garage door rollers, serviced to minimize emergency repairs and delay the replacement of expensive equipment.
Periodic checkups of appliances included in your unit will help ensure they function correctly for their entire lifespan and can prevent damage from leaks or fires.
Be proactive about keeping pests away with preventative inspections and spraying. The cost and stress of an infestation is a headache you want to avoid.
Outdoors, keeping the gutters clean and trees pruned makes the property look more attractive, improves safety, and prevents future damage.
Between tenants, a thorough, professional cleaning is a must. Additional items, such as painting or replacing flooring and appliances, should be considered case-by-case to balance the cost against the appeal to new renters.
If your property maintenance to-do list becomes overwhelming, try creating a seasonal maintenance schedule to break up the tasks into more manageable pieces. And be realistic about your time and skill set. Even if you’re handy with a toolbox, sometimes hiring a professional may be a better long-term investment despite the upfront cost.
No matter which maintenance items make your list, budgeting accordingly and preparing for emergency repairs will help make maintenance an expected, routine part of your business rather than an anxiety-inducing hassle.
About Rentals America
Rentals America provides full-service property management for residential rental properties. Our team is wholly dedicated to property management. We’re here to help landlords navigate the rental market.
