Maintenance is something that your rental property will always need, but sometimes they can destroy your budget and stunt your ROI. Routine and emergency maintenance issues can be simple or complex, and the best way to keep costs down is with a consistent and thorough preventative maintenance routine. When you’re proactive, you can greatly reduce the maintenance expenses that show up year after year. At Bell Properties, we believe preventative maintenance is crucial. Today, we’re sharing a few tips that can keep your costs down.
Service Your HVAC System
The most expensive system in your property is probably the HVAC system. Your tenants require heating and cooling to remain comfortable and to keep your home habitable. These systems often cost $5,000 or more. If you want to prolong the life of your HVAC system, have a professional technician take a look at it once or twice a year. This can be especially beneficial during seasonal changes. Tenants will use the air conditioning more in the summer, and you’ll want to make sure the system is in good shape. This will avoid a lot of maintenance calls. Your tech can take a look at the evaporator and inspect the condenser and the compressor. It’s also a good time to remind tenants to change their air filters regularly. Having a tech inspect and clean your system annually will help it last longer and run more efficiently.
Inspect Your Plumbing System
Plumbing can also add up to major expenses if you’re not paying attention. Inspect your water heater at least once a year. Test the pressure relief valve, and look for any evidence of rust or corrosion. Check for leaks and look at the intake screen. You should flush the water tank once a year to protect against having it leak or explode in the middle of the night. Tenants don’t like being without hot water.
Look for Standing Water
A good preventative maintenance inspection item is water. Any standing water or lack of drainage will be a problem for your property. Take care of any puddles or floods that you see in crawl spaces, basements, or under sinks. Clean out the gutters twice a year, and make sure they are pointing away from the house so there’s no chance of water getting inside and causing mold. Clear any branches, dirt, leaves, or grass off your roof. Look at ceilings and walls for water stains, which could indicate you have a leak somewhere in your plumbing.
We believe that investing in preventative maintenance will help you save money on regular repairs and prevent unexpected emergencies. It will also help you protect and preserve the value of your home. You want to keep your property in excellent condition, and preventative maintenance inspections can help. Another bonus is that you’re showing your tenants you care about the property. This will motivate them to take good care of it and increase the chances that they’ll renew their lease. If you have any questions about preventative maintenance, please contact us at Bell Properties, Inc. We’d be happy to tell you more.
