For some single-family Santa Clara rental property owners, maintenance and repair can be a major headache. But on the other side, preventive maintenance is a necessary part of the long-term care that your valuable investment needs to secure the best possible return. This is correct irrespective of whether your property is occupied or vacant. Even if your tenant is responsible for some maintenance tasks, it’s critical that you also complete certain ongoing maintenance tasks regularly. This is not only a necessary element of responsible property ownership but can also help you attract and retain quality tenants. In what follows, we’ll go through the top 5 preventive maintenance tasks that you (not your tenant) should be doing to keep your cash flows in the black.
1. Plumbing System
One of the quickest ways to end up with major repair bills is to neglect your rental property’s plumbing system. Ideally, provide time to do annual inspections of all pipes, faucets, drains, and water heaters in the house. Look for indications of leaks under cabinets or around the base of toilets, slow drains, and other potential problems. Don’t rely on your tenant to report every small detail – it’s crucial to check it yourself. By catching and addressing these issues when they are small, you can prevent expensive water damage and emergency plumbing repairs.
2. HVAC Efficiency
Another very important maintenance task you should be handling is HVAC maintenance. Air conditioning units and furnaces need to be serviced a minimum of once a year to stay efficient. Refusing to check these systems can substantially shorten their lifespan, which brings expensive replacement bills. Inside the house, check for blocked vents, dirty registers, and other signals that HVAC issues are developing. This can assist in keeping your property’s HVAC unit functioning right and keep your tenants comfortable year-round.
3. Water Damage Prevention
Another top preventive maintenance task that should be done each year includes preventing water damage to your property. Water damage often causes clogged gutters, roof leaks, poor drainage around the foundation, leaking sprinkler pipes, and all that. To detect any issues early, execute a visual inspection of your property’s exterior, roof, and grounds. If you see water pooling, stains, or debris, these are all signs of impending water damage and should be addressed immediately.
4. Safety
Your tenant’s safety is a top concern for them and you as the property owner as well. One of the vital preventive maintenance tasks is to ensure that safety features are functioning well. This includes door and window locks, alarm systems (if your property has one), and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It is a little thing to replace a deadbolt on an exterior door, but it dramatically decreases risk while also increasing safety.
5. Structural Integrity
Finally, check your property for potential issues with your structural integrity. This could be as simple as doing a visual inspection for signs of termite damage and cracks in the foundation. It would be great if you also inspect for any damage to the home’s siding, flashing, and roof to guarantee that it is still weather-proof and visually appealing. If you encounter any damage, cracks, or unsightly wear and tear, it’s best to have repairs done immediately to avoid even bigger problems developing down the road.
Preventive maintenance is something you should stay on top of all of the time, not just at move-out or when an emergency arises. However, remembering to do these and other vital maintenance tasks every year and as needed can be difficult. As an alternative, consider working with Real Property Management Southern Utah to undertake the preventive maintenance for you. Our Santa Clara property managers have the experience and expertise to keep your property in good condition year after year. To learn more about our services, contact us online or call us at 435-673-4242 today!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
