Key Takeaways
Proactive maintenance is essential — Regular inspections, routine upkeep, and timely repairs help preserve your property's value and attract quality tenants.
Clear roles prevent issues — Clearly defining landlord and tenant responsibilities ensures everyone is on the same page and avoids misunderstandings.
Stay organized and prepared — Use checklists, keep detailed records, and set aside a maintenance fund to handle both routine tasks and unexpected repairs.
Consider professional help — Hiring a property management company can streamline maintenance and save you time, especially if you own multiple properties.
When renting out your house, its upkeep should be one of your top priorities. The condition of your unit directly impacts its profitability. After all, no one wants to live in a property that looks like it’s falling apart or is in dire need of repairs.
Property upkeep goes beyond fixing things when they break. In order to maintain a rental property in top-notch condition, landlords need to conduct regular inspections, schedule routine maintenance services, regularly check for signs of pests, conduct safety inspections, and much more.
With so many things to do, it can be incredibly challenging for landlords to keep up with all their maintenance responsibilities.
In this article, the team at RedStone Property Management has compiled a list of the best tips and tricks to maintain your rental property effortlessly. Let’s dive in!
1. Understand Your Maintenance Responsibilities
Property maintenance is a shared responsibility between landlords and tenants. In order to work together, both parties must understand the scope of their responsibilities. Landlords get the brunt of the work. Their primary responsibilities include the following:
Cleaning and maintaining all common areas (if applicable).
Regularly inspecting the unit.
Making any necessary repairs.
Regularly inspecting the structural integrity of the unit.
Ensuring all plumbing, ventilation, and electrical systems are in good working order.
Addressing pet infestations quickly.
Repairing or replacing any broken appliances.
Ensuring the property has adequate safety features, such as clear emergency exits, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, working locks, and fire extinguishers.
Addressing repairs and property damage in a timely manner.
Ensuring the property is free of health hazards, like mold or asbestos.
Keeping the exterior clean and tidy. This often includes cleaning the gutters, power washing sidewalks, and landscaping.
Complying with local safety codes and habitability standards.
2. Define Tenant Maintenance Responsibilities
The key to a well-maintained rental property lies in teamwork. To ensure that you’re both on the same page, it’s a good idea to sit down with your tenants and lay out their maintenance responsibilities and your cleanliness expectations. This can include the following tasks:
Regularly cleaning the property, including sweeping, mopping, and dusting, as well as cleaning appliances and fixtures, and not letting trash pile up.
Taking care of any provided appliances and fixtures.
Abstaining from damaging the property, as well as any provided furniture and appliances.
Making minor repairs, such as replacing light bulbs, patching small holes in the walls, or fixing small leaks.
Reporting maintenance issues and repair needs promptly.
3. Regularly Inspect the Property
A proactive approach to property maintenance can go a long way. By regularly inspecting the unit, you can ensure that tenants are taking good care of the property and respecting the terms of the lease.
Moreover, a thorough inspection can help you spot issues before they escalate, saving you tons of money from emergency repairs.
4. Create a Maintenance Checklist
Property maintenance involves a myriad of tasks, from simple things like replacing smoke detector batteries to bigger projects like reroofing the unit. With so much to do, it’s normal for some tasks to fall through the cracks. The best way to avoid this is by creating a detailed to-do list.
Creating weekly, monthly, or seasonal maintenance to-do lists will help you stay organized and ensure nothing is overlooked.
Your checklists should include tasks like checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, inspecting HVAC filters, testing plumbing for leaks, examining roofs and gutters for damage, winterizing pipes, and servicing air conditioning units.
Additionally, landscaping, pest control, and cleaning common areas can be included as recurring duties.
5. Set Up a Maintenance Fund
Cleaning supplies, construction materials, and contractor fees don’t come for free. Setting up a maintenance fund will help you cover any necessary costs without having to dig into your profits or personal funds.
This is especially handy in case of emergency repairs, as it allows you to maintain your property in good condition without ending up with a negative bottom line.
6. Keep Detailed Maintenance Records
Day-to-day leaving can slowly damage the condition of a rental property. While a certain level of wear and tear is normal, tenant-caused damage can significantly lower the value of your investment.
Recording the condition of the property during every inspection will help you differentiate between normal wear and tear and property damage, allowing you to make the necessary deductions from a tenant’s deposit.
Additionally, keeping detailed records of all maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs will help you ensure that nothing is overlooked. Plus, documentation can be used to prove your commitment to maintaining the property in case of a dispute.
7. Partner With a Local Property Manager
If you own multiple properties or have limited time availability, you should seriously consider hiring a property manager for upkeep.
A company like RedStone Property Management has the tools and resources to streamline your maintenance needs, from conducting regular inspections and creating detailed reports to addressing emergency repairs. This way, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your investment is in good hands.
Bottom Line
If you’re a landlord or planning to invest in a rental property, you must know that maintaining your units in good condition is a must. If your property is in dire need of repairs or cosmetic touch-ups, no tenant will want to rent it.
On the other hand, if your property is clean, tidy, and has been recently renovated, you’ll have your fair share of tenants to choose from.
It’s important to note that maintaining a rental property is no walk in the park. It requires careful planning, regular inspections, clear communication, and detailed record keeping.
If this sounds like too much work, you should consider partnering with a seasoned property management company. If your property is in Burlington, Mebane, or any of the surrounding areas, contact the team at RedStone Property Management!
