For a rental property owner, the sheer number of maintenance tasks needed to keep a property in top shape can feel overwhelming. However, skipping essential maintenance tasks can result in lower tenant satisfaction and hefty repair costs. Completing these ten maintenance tasks will save you many headaches and hassles!
1. Regularly change furnace filters
Ensuring that furnace filters are changed regularly helps maintain air quality and prolongs the life of the rental property’s furnace. Failure to do so can cause poor indoor air quality.
2. Clear the dryer vent
Clothes dryer vents are one maintenance task that you shouldn’t overlook since they are among the top causes of residential fires in the United States. A clogged dryer vent can not only be a fire hazard, though. It can also invite unwanted pests and cause mold problems.
3. Relight furnace pilot light
If you turn off your pilot light during warm months, make sure it’s working again before cold weather arrives. This ensures that tenants won’t be left waiting for you to get the furnace up and running in the chillier months.
4. Drain sediment from water heater
Accumulated sediment can damage a water heater. To extend the life of your rental property’s water heater, drain it annually for best performance.
5. Inspect for water leaks
It sounds simple, and it is. At least once a year, visually check your property’s plumbing, fixtures, sprinklers, and so on. If you notice any signs of leaks or pooling water, that is something you should have addressed right away.
6. Change batteries for smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
It’s crucial to replace the batteries in your rental property’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once a year. There’s no need to wait for the unit to fail and start beeping; by being proactive, you can save your tenant and yourself that particular headache!
7. Lubricate garage door springs
If your rental property has a garage, it’s important to lubricate the springs and wheels of your garage door once a year. An adequately lubricated garage door will work perfectly for many years, while a neglected door will often fail long before it should have.
8. Give your appliances some TLC
You can also extend the life of your rental property’s appliances by doing essential maintenance each year. For example, vacuuming your refrigerator coils and cleaning the seals around the refrigerator doors can help this essential appliance work better and last longer.
9. Clean window weep holes
Many vinyl windows have weep holes on the exterior that help drain away water and condensation. But these holes can become clogged with dirt or insects. Simply flushing your weep holes out once a year can help avoid condensation and other moisture problems.
10. Check for pests
Finally, if you aren’t already doing so, you should carefully check your property for signs of pest infestation every year. Termites can start as a small problem. But if left unchecked, it can quickly become a nightmare scenario for you and your tenant.
Rather than handling these time-consuming maintenance tasks alone, let Real Property Management Seaside assist with full Fruitville property management services provided by local experts. For more details on our offerings, contact us online or call 941-225-2533.
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