Did you know that proactive maintenance can reduce repair costs by up to 30% and significantly increase property value?
As a property manager with over two decades of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how well-maintained rental property can transform not only the lives of tenants but also the value of the property itself. Proper maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about being proactive, ensuring safety, and fostering a welcoming environment that tenants are proud to call home.
In this article, I share my tried-and-true tips for keeping your residential units in top shape. By following these tips, you can keep your property in excellent condition, making it more appealing to potential tenants while maintaining a safe living space.
Let’s dive in!
1. Prioritize Preventive Maintenance Plan
Preventive maintenance involves regular inspections, cleaning, repairs, or replacing assets and property to prevent unexpected breakdowns or failures. It’s a proactive approach that keeps your property in good condition by addressing and fixing potential issues before they become bigger problems.
Since you don’t wait for your assets to break down and repair, you look for potential issues before they escalate. This is an excellent way to avoid large, costly breakages in the most cost-effective way.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, implementing preventive maintenance plans can save a business 12% to 18% in total maintenance costs compared to reactive maintenance, saving up to $5 for every dollar spent.
Your preventive maintenance plan should include tasks like cleaning, checking, testing, fixing, or replacing parts to keep things running smoothly. To execute a preventive maintenance plan successfully, you should separate a budget of 1% to 2% of your property’s value annually. This ensures you have a sufficient budget for minor wear and tear issues, which extend the lifespan of your assets, reduce unexpected repairs and increase your property’s long-term value.
2. Regular Inspections and Assessments
We have already discussed the “Preventive Maintenance Plan” above, and it starts with thorough and regular inspections and assessments of your property. Routine inspections allow you to identify any wear and tear, damage, or potential issues early before they become major. This includes carefully checking the structural elements, assessing mechanical systems, and noting any cosmetic repairs needed. This helps to reduce the repair costs and maintain your property’s overall condition and value.
Before inspection, create a checklist of all things that need to be checked. This ensures you don’t miss a thing and helps you stay organized during the inspection process. During the inspection, try to document everything that you checked for. This information can be a valuable record for future maintenance planning and helps track the property’s condition over time.
If we talk about the inspection timeframe, it depends on what is written on the lease. However, if a tenant has been living for years without any issues, then once a year is good enough. Otherwise, every 6 months can be good enough to find any wear and tear damage. If you are more anxious or have careless tenants, every three months can be a perfect balance to ensure your property remains in top shape.
Just don’t visit them unexpectedly or late at night. You should give them at least 24 hours notice before visiting the property according to landlord-tenant’s law.
3. HVAC System Maintenance
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) keep your rental property temperatures in optimal condition. That’s why HVAC maintenance is critical to ensure better living conditions.
Start by inspecting air filters and air ducts. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), it is recommended to change air filters every 3 months and air ducts every 3-5 years. This helps to improve air quality within the building and overall system performance.
Other things to look for are thermostats, coils, unusual noises, leaks, vibrations, and electrical connections. This ensures the system runs smoothly without any breakage during extreme weather conditions. However, if your apartment is more dusty, you may need to change it more frequently.
4. Plumbing and Water Systems
Imagine your tenant waiting for hot water for a bath in winter while you, as a landlord, are trying to address the problem. It’s pretty horrible.
Plumbing issues are among the most common problems faced by property owners. Although they may not seem big initially, they can cause greater problems if not addressed sooner.
As an experienced property manager, I recommend that you inspect your plumbing and water systems at least once a year by a licensed plumber to identify signs of wear or corrosion. This includes checking for leaks or clogs, water pressure, pipe insulation, water heaters, cleaning drains and testing water quality. In addition, consider upgrading your plumbing systems with new and reliable tech. Apartments with upgraded plumbing systems often increase property value, depending on the improvements made. This ensures you have a high ROI when selling or renting your home.
“Plumbing assessments are a crucial part of real estate valuation. Upgrading the plumbing system improves functionality, energy efficiency, and market appeal, making properties more attractive to buyers and potentially increasing their worth.” – John Davis, Real Estate Agent.
With a well-functioning plumbing system, you can save costs associated with repairs, reduce utility bills, ensure tenants’ safety and comfort, and maintain the overall integrity of your rental property.
5. Maintain Electrical Systems
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical failures or malfunctions are the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S., contributing to roughly 13% of all fire incidents. These electrical fires cause more than $1.3 billion in property damage annually.
These stats give you an idea of how critical it is to monitor the electrical system of your rental units. Overlooking electrical maintenance increases the likelihood of such events, which can significantly impact your rental’s overall financial standing. The average cost for damages in fires can go up to $30,000, with prices varying between $800 and $180,000, depending on the size of your home.
Crazy right? To prevent this, carefully look for any signs of wear or malfunction on the wires, outlets, circuit breakers, and lightning fixtures. Your maintenance task should also include testing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), checking for proper grounding, verifying the electrical system’s capacity, and ensuring compliance with current electrical codes.
Also, ensure that smoke detectors are functional and that fire extinguishers are accessible for quick emergency response in case of electrical fires or other hazards. If needed, consider upgrading the systems to accommodate modern appliances and devices to enhance tenant satisfaction and ensure compliance with safety standards.
6. Landscaping and Outdoor Maintenance
A well-maintained landscape can dramatically improve a property’s visual appeal. It is the first thing a potential tenant notices, and if properly cared for, it can make a great first impression and even influence their buying decisions.
As with interior designs, landscaping trends can and do change over time. Nowadays, “outdoor living space enhancements are very popular upgrades — including expansions of decks and patios, adding fireplaces or fire features, dining areas and covered gazebos or pergolas,” Britt Wood, CEO of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, says.
According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), properties with attractive landscaping can increase their value by up to 15% to 20% on average, making them more appealing to potential buyers or renters.
This involves regular lawn care, tree and shrub maintenance, removing debris, managing soil health, controlling weeds, maintaining walkways and parking areas, and ensuring proper landscape drainage. Additionally, check for fences and outdoor lighting to ensure safety. Seasonal upkeep, such as snow removal or leaf collection, also should be noticed.
Moreover, a well-cared exterior also keeps outdoor spaces safe. Overgrown grass and weeds can harbour pests such as snakes or fire ants, creating an unsafe environment for tenants. This can lead to potential liabilities for landlords if injuries occur due to neglected outdoor spaces.
7. Rodent and Pest Control
Did you know? Termites are responsible for damaging over 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year. In a survey by Forbes Home, almost 50% Of homeowners responded by saying they have experienced structural damage from pests.
These little creatures living secretly in your home can cause costly problems if not handled in time. They can cause significant damage to your properties by gnawing on electrical wires, insulation, and wooden structures. Experts estimate that rodents chewing on items like matches, wiring, and gas lines are responsible for 25% of fires attributed to “unknown causes.” Furthermore, pests such as rodents can carry diseases like hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis that pose serious health risks to occupants.
To make your rental home pest-free, start with regular inspections to identify signs of infestations by rodents or insects such as droppings, nests, or damaged property. If you see any holes or potential entry points, immediately seal them and prioritize cleanliness in communal areas to discourage pests. For severe infestations, consider using pesticides or insecticides in affected areas and try using traps, bait stations or natural repellents for no chemical options.
By combining regular inspections with consistent pest management, you can effectively prevent property damage, reduce health risks for tenants, and maintain the overall quality and livability of the rental property
8. Checks for Safety and Security
As a property manager, I’ve learned firsthand how crucial it is to prioritize safety and security, and I strongly recommend that you do the same. I’ve seen cases where minor oversights, like a dead smoke detector battery or a faulty lock, turned into major problems.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), homes with working smoke alarms have a death rate per 1,000 home structure fires that is about 60% lower than that of homes without alarms. Regular checks of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers are not just legal obligations—they are lifesaving measures.
Additionally, studies show that 83% of burglars check for alarm systems before attempting a break-in, and 60% would move on to another target if they find an alarm. To avoid this, ensure that entry points, such as doors and windows, have secure locks and assess outdoor lighting to eliminate dark areas that could attract unwanted activity. This proactive approach protects your property and builds trust and goodwill with your tenants.
9. Communicate with Tenants
As a seasoned property manager, I cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining open, transparent, and proactive communication with your tenants. It is key to maintaining a positive relationship and ensuring smooth property management.
Regularly update tenants about maintenance schedules, policy changes, or any potential disruptions. Provide clear instructions and encourage them to report problems early. This helps you fix minor issues before they escalate and makes tenants feel valued. You can do this by using channels like emails, texts, or tenant portals for quick and convenient communication. Being approachable and responsive can prevent misunderstandings and foster long-term tenant satisfaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keeping your rental property in top shape is more than just about maintaining property value. It’s about creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for your tenants. It requires consistent maintenance, proactive planning, regular inspections, and prompt attention to safety, security, and tenant needs.
As a property owner, investing in consistent, high-quality property maintenance is a strategic choice that pays off through increased property value, tenant retention, and peace of mind. With these tips and a systematic approach, you can confidently manage and maintain your rental property for years.
Do you want professional help handling all this work? With over 20+ years of experience in property management, OKC realty home services has already helped thousands of property owners maintain their properties effectively. Contact us today for comprehensive inspection and customized maintenance solutions.
