There are preventive ways to avoid small problems in your rental property to save yourself from big troubles. This is one of the duties of a landlord to perform these periodic checks. These maintenance activities are very important and a landlord should always keep these points in mind. Here are a few of the most important rental property maintenance tasks that landlords should make a routine task.
· Check for Any Water Leaks or Damage
This is an important activity to be performed, especially after a heavy rainstorm or after ice have started melting. Another important time to check for these leaks or damage is on very hot and humid days because pipes try to sweat. Do check if there is any soft spot on the walls, roof, and ceiling.
As a landlord, you need to check windows, toilets, and showers for any water leak. You should also check under boilers, sinks, and water heaters. It is so important to detect a water leak early. If the leak continues, the walls or even the whole property may damage completely.
- Follow Monthly Extermination Procedure
If you are the owner of a rental property, it is your duty to destroy or kill the insects present in your property. Even, if there is no insect, take steps to stop those to come and grow. As a landlord, you should also keep in mind that those insects may spread by traveling from the place where you might not have focused while cleaning. so, you should do this extermination process on the whole property on monthly basis or after every two months.
You can do this yourself by purchasing exterminating supplies. The best way is to assign the job to a professional. Yes, it costs money to do these monthly exterminations. However, it is much better to lose a bit of your money than losing tenant due to the presence of insects. You can have a look at a few shops to get the best priced exterminating supplies.
It can be understood by looking at this example. If you are spending $40 a unit in the shape of monthly extermination, it is much better than losing a rent of $900 because of your vacant tenant.
· Check all the Detecting Devices
Carbon monoxide is a very toxic gas. It is so important to check these devices on monthly basis to make sure they are in fully working condition. Do make a schedule to test them when it is convenient for you or when you collect rent.
These are life-saving devices. Just imagine if you need any of this device in an emergency and that is not working, the results will be lethal. You also need to monitor the expiry date of these devices and replace them accordingly.
· Change the Filters to Avoid Expensive Bills
The filters of your AC need to be changed twice a year. What is the benefit of a good and efficient filter? Dirty filters can really increase the electricity bill. It is because the system has to work harder to maintain cooling.
If you are a landlord and changing the filters regularly, it will certainly help to prevent the air duct to become contaminated. If it gets clogged, then a professional cleaning will be required that is an expensive step. Even if the tenants are paying the bills, solve this problem because it may cause your tenants to leave your property.
· Keep a Proper Gutter Cleanliness
As a landlord, make it your routine to check the gutters at your rental property. You may have to face leaks due to these clogged gutters. The trapped water may come into the property through the sliding, roof, through the foundation or even around windows.
You can purchase the gutter guards if you want to save yourself from cleaning. The guard remains on the top of gutter and water passes through the small holes without allowing the larger debris to be accumulated in the gutter.
· Drain Your Water Heater
Flush and drain your water heaters once or twice a year. It is to remove the sediment as it reduces the efficiency of the heater by clogging the drain valve. A new water heater is an expensive option. So, take care and follow these guidelines to save your money. If it looks difficult to you personally, hire someone to do it for you.
Final Words
The routine maintenance at your rental property is so crucial. If a landlord ignores, he will have to pay much more than the cost of routine maintenance. So, you can definitely keep your property occupied by good people as well as save a lot of money by doing the above mentioned routine maintenance tasks at your rental property.
