Maintenance can make or break the quality of a rental property. Yet, 61% of property owners consider property maintenance as their biggest stressor. Why?
Property maintenance is not always straightforward. The most common maintenance mistakes to avoid in rental properties surround repairs and inspections. Read on to learn more.
1. Lack of Regular Inspections
Inspections are at the forefront of a property manager’s duties. Done correctly, inspections sniff out lease violations and safety hazards before they escalate. However, not every property management company does regular property inspections.
The Problem
Routine inspections require time, effort, and consistency. It’s one thing to schedule a periodic inspection, but it’s another to follow through. It becomes even harder when you’re juggling multiple rental property inspections.
At the end of the day, some property management companies leave the inspections entirely up to the residents, who might not know where to start. Others skip out on inspections because they think they’re unnecessary, But inspections are vital and 86% of them find something that needs to be fixed.
The Solution
Don’t miss a routine inspection. Although regular inspections are no walk-in-the-park, a little automation can make things a lot easier.
RentCheck’s inspection software gives property managers the power to run customized rental property inspections. It offers automated inspection reminders and generates detailed assessment reports.
Residents can even conduct their own inspections using RentCheck. They can share notes with their property managers, who may ask for inspection revisions and requests.
2. Delayed Response to Maintenance Requests
Rental property managers have the responsibility of maintaining a rental property in livable conditions. Sometimes, life happens and you can’t make repairs immediately. But deliberately pushing property maintenance to a later date can be a pricey mistake.
The Problem
When a property management company delays repairs, it affects them, the residents, and the rental property. A plumbing issue can be a ticking time bomb if it’s not fixed in time.
For example, a leaking pipe may start as a small drip. But over time, the water can damage the walls, ceilings, and floor. It can also promote mold growth, which can compromise indoor air quality and pose health risks.
The Solution
Never procrastinate on repairs. Keep contact information of service providers and handymen to address property maintenance requests as soon as possible.
3. Neglecting Preventive Maintenance
Preventative maintenance keeps a rental property in good shape before it starts to break down. Admittedly, property managers are not always preemptive with their maintenance, leading to much bigger problems in the long run.
The Problem
Many people disregard preventative maintenance, thinking, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it”. However, the importance of preventive maintenance for rental properties is mainly about cost saving. It also helps to keep the value of your investment property high.
If you don’t do regular maintenance, you risk spending more money on emergency repairs. Heaters, generators, and other machinery may not also last as long as they should if you do not regularly service them.
The Solution
Stay one step ahead by doing regular maintenance tasks. Schedule regular inspections for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure they are functioning properly. Check for leaks, drips, and water damage in plumbing systems and inspect the roof for any damage.
You may also want to keep a record of every time equipment breaks down, so you can learn to predict its performance.
4. Cutting Corners on Repairs
It’s a bit of a gray area when it comes to who should make rental repairs. However, any good lease agreement should specify who is responsible for repairs to avoid excuses for not making them.
The Problem
As a rental property manager, it can be tempting to do a DIY fix to save money. Sometimes this can work, but other times, it can be a waste of time and money.
Don’t let residents make major repairs or supervise contractors. They may not be cost-efficient in solving the problem, which will leave you with an extravagant bill.
The Solution
Use licensed professionals when fixing issues in your rental property, especially those that pose safety hazards. Quality workmanship will save you the headache of making repeat repairs and interrupting the lives of your residents in the future.
As part of your property management strategy, develop a budget for repairs to avoid compromising the quality of future repairs.
5. Ignoring Safety Hazards
Property management companies know that safety comes first. Anything can go wrong on a rental property if managers overlook things like fire safety, waste disposal, and electrical hazards.
The Problem
Ignoring safety hazards can lead to serious financial loss and reputation damage. Injuries resulting from safety hazards can lead to lawsuits and legal liabilities if someone is injured as a result.
The thing about lawsuits is that they’re costly. They force property owners to spend money on legal fees, compensation payouts, and penalties for violating state codes and regulations.
Not to mention the negative publicity from people who learn about the accidents and safety violations on your rental property.
The Solution
Pay attention to the following safety hazards to ensure everybody is safe on the premises.
- Inspect electrical systems for faults, exposed wiring, overloaded circuits, and other potential fire hazards.
- Install fire safety measures like fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems.
- Check the stability of walkways, staircases, parking lots, and common areas to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
- Ensure there is a proper waste disposal system to avoid pest infestations and disease breakouts.
6. Poor Tenant Screening
Property owners/managers should be careful about whom they rent their rental properties to, especially because they’re meeting them for the first time. Without proper screening, you can’t be sure of the integrity of the person you’re letting into a rental property.
The Problem
Ignoring the screening process can leave you with residents who neglect or damage property, increasing your property maintenance and repair costs.
Problematic residents disrupt the peace and safety of other occupants, who will constantly complain about their living experience or vacate the rental property in extreme cases. It’s also stressful collecting rent payments from residents with a poor financial history.
The Solution
Always run a background check on potential residents. It will help you know who has a criminal record or a history of eviction.
Screening also involves checking one’s income and employment status. The purpose of this is to establish whether they can afford rent payments in the future. Check for their credit score and ask for an employment verification letter to confirm their employment status, position, and income. As you do this, pay attention to fair housing laws to avoid lawsuits.
Avoid Maintenance Mistakes by Investing in RentCheck's Inspection Software
Thorough inspections are the heart of effective property maintenance. But without the right software, inspections can be time-consuming and inaccurate. The solution? RentCheck.
RentCheck sends reminders to your residents to carry out comprehensive property inspections. It also allows you to create customized reports to monitor your rental property from anywhere.
If you want to make your inspections a breeze, try RentCheck for free today.
