It's no secret that a well-maintained home will attract more, higher-quality tenants. Surveys of tenants around the world have repeatedly driven home the fact that good maintenance is what people want. Moreover, proactive property maintenance will also save landlords a lot of time, money, and stress well into the future, allowing them to resolve repairs before they become expensive problems.
But what does it actually mean to practice good rental maintenance? Read our essential maintenance tips for rental properties to find out exactly what successful landlords are doing right now.
1. Calculate Your Maintenance Costs
First off, you'll need to calculate your maintenance costs so that you have a realistic idea of the resources involved per property. As a starting point, consider the 50% rule, which stipulates that half of your rental income should go to operational costs. In addition, remember that a good rule of thumb is that annual maintenance costs should equal around 1% of the property's value.
By sticking to these numbers, you will easily be able to cover routine maintenance costs and hire a trusted property manager to take care of it all for you.
2. Inspections Are Essential
One important piece of landlord advice is that you cannot identify maintenance problems if you never visit the property. Your tenant may be unwilling or unable to identify things that need checking and fixing on their own. Arrange a quarterly or six-month inspection so that you can use your trained eye to spot any problems. Always get consent from your tenant and give them plenty of advance warning prior to inspection.
3. Routine Cleaning and Testing
The easiest part of property maintenance is the routine stuff that requires virtually no effort or expense but nonetheless is very important. The most crucial of these tasks are:
- Testing all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (and replacing batteries where necessary).
- Draining the water heater, flushing out the boiler, or "bleeding" the radiator.
- Changing HVAC filters - this should be done every three months.
- Recaulking the shower and bathtub.
4. Keep It Seasonal
If your rental property is in Washington state, you will already know just how much the seasons will impact the condition of the property. That is why it is important to remember that most maintenance activities are strictly seasonal. Important examples include:
- Clearing the gutters and raking leaves during the fall.
- Inspecting and de-frosting pipes during winter.
- Arranging for snow removal.
- HVAC maintenance prior to summer.
5. Don't Forget Turnover Maintenance
Finally, do not forget the importance of turnover maintenance. When an old tenant leaves, it is your responsibility to make sure that the property is in perfect condition for the next tenant. Here are some of the top turnover maintenance activities to add to your checklist:
- Arrange for deep cleaning.
- Complete any and all outstanding repairs.
- Change the locks.
- Replace carpets where necessary.
- Service appliances - especially kitchen appliances.
Expert Property Management at Your Fingertips
These are the essential maintenance activities that will keep your rental properties competitive and in good condition. If you are looking for a highly experienced and trusted property management service to take care of these on your behalf, you have come to the right place. Make sure to get in touch with our friendly and professional team today to learn more about our services and rates.
