When you’re renting out a property, you want to preserve its condition as well as its value. A well-maintained rental home also does a better job of attracting and retaining tenants. Keeping your residents happy and satisfied leads to more consistent rental income and it also inspires them to help with cleaning and general maintenance. They’ll be more likely to change air filters and let you know when something needs attention.
Preventative maintenance is a significant part of how you keep your investment in prime condition. Investing time, resources, and effort into preventative plans and schedules as well as seasonal maintenance can save you a lot of money in the long term.
Let’s take a look at some of the essential preventative maintenance tasks that you can perform to keep your rental property in excellent condition, and to avoid those expensive and disruptive emergency repairs.
Roof Repairs Need Ongoing Attention
Your roof is rather essential. It’s one of the more important and foundational parts of your property; it has to work and work well. A damaged or leaking roof can create further problems such as water damage to the interior of your property. Make sure that you’re having the roof inspected annually. If any severe weather conditions show up, have the roof looked at then, too.
Roof damage can be expensive, so when you catch it early, you save money and mitigate any potential future damage.
Look for signs of leaks or missing shingles. If you notice any problems, get them fixed right away. If your roofer has suggestions during their annual inspection, consider them carefully. The roof takes on a lot of sunlight as well as rain and wind. You want to keep it in tip-top shape.
HVAC Systems Need Regular Attention
A roof replacement is potentially the most expensive repair you’ll face as a rental property owner.
The next most expensive repair? A new furnace or air conditioning unit. The HVAC system is used in your property all year long. It controls the heating and the cooling and the air quality for your tenants. They’re costly to repair and replace, and so it’s essential to maintain them preventatively.
With a well-maintained HVAC system, your tenants will enjoy better breathing and lower utility costs. When you have an HVAC technician check your system every year, you can extend its lifespan and ensure that any minor problems are caught.
Schedule those annual HVAC check-ups with a preferred vendor who will check the filters, coils, and other system components. They’ll also make any necessary repairs or replacements and provide some insight into what might help you going forward. Make sure you educate your tenants on the importance of regular filter changes.
Pay Attention to Plumbing Systems
Plumbing can so easily and quickly become a problem.
We have talked to landlords and local property managers who tell us that there’s a plumbing issue almost every year in the homes they’re renting out.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
When you’re paying attention to your plumbing and your pipes and you’re vigilant against leaks and drips, you can prevent expensive plumbing disasters from causing problems for your property, your tenants, and your bank account.
Bad plumbing causes serious problems to your property. But, regular maintenance can help prevent any clogs in drains, leaks, as well as other potential issues. Have your plumbing inspected regularly. Take a look at the pipes yourself when you’re inspecting the home or turning the property over between tenants. You’ll want to search for signs of pooling water or wetness around tubs and toilets. Look for faucets that are consistently wet or drips under sinks.
Damp spots and water stains on walls and ceilings can also indicate a problem. Inspect the drains and make sure water is running smoothly through them.
A good relationship with a plumber is invaluable. Make sure you have someone to call if a water heater begins to rust or a pipe explodes and causes flooding in your property.
Preventative Exterior Maintenance
Don’t forget the outside of your rental property.
The exterior of your investment should be inviting and welcoming. Keep the landscaping well-maintained and clean. Regular upkeep of the lawn, courtyard, patio, fencing, driveway, and exterior paint can create better curb appeal and prevent the deterioration of your rental home.
Preventative maintenance outside will also prevent rotting wood, overgrown tree branches, and pests.
Inspect Your Rental Home Appliances
When you rent out a property, you likely rent it out with a refrigerator, a stove and oven, and maybe even a microwave, a dishwasher, and a washer and dryer.
You have to maintain those appliances the same way you maintain the home.
With preventative maintenance in mind. You want to ensure those appliances continue to function well and you want to avoid costly repairs and replacements. Perform regular checks on all the appliances in your property, and consider replacements if you find any issues. You don’t want to continue repairing them. When you find yourself having to make three visits to your property to fix the fridge, instead of repairing it a fourth time, get a new fridge. Energy-efficient appliances work best in rental homes. They’re easy on your tenant’s utility budget and they require less ongoing maintenance.
Performing preventative maintenance on your rental property is crucial to saving time and money. By keeping up with regular inspections and service calls, you’ll keep your tenants happy and you’ll ultimately spend less on maintenance by avoiding emergency repairs and major replacements.
Regular maintenance will help you preserve the value of your investment. Make sure you educate your tenants on the role they play in preventative maintenance and work closely with a great team of vendors and contractors who are committed to your property and its functions.
If you’re not sure where to find those vendors or preventative maintenance seems like too much time and effort, work with a local property management team. We have excellent maintenance plans, and we’d be happy to share them with you.
Please contact us at South County Property Management. We serve Santa Clara County and South County, including San Jose, Campbell, Saratoga, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and neighboring areas.
