Landlords have a legal responsibility to maintain their rental properties in a habitable condition. When a landlord fails to meet their obligation to make a necessary repair, the tenant may withhold rent payment until the repair is made, or they may hire an outside party to make the repair and deduct the cost from the next payment.
If the problem violates state or building codes, the tenant can involve the local authorities.
Rental property owners must make property maintenance a priority, not an afterthought. Making necessary repairs and taking other actions to keep your rental property in clean and sanitary condition will minimize friction between you and your tenants.
The responsibilities that come with maintaining a rental property may seem overwhelming (especially if you are a first-time landlord or have a big rental property).
If property maintenance feels like an uphill struggle, you will find these property management tips helpful.
Have Regular Pest Control Inspections
In addition to damaging your property, pests such as cockroaches, rodents, ants, and termites can spread infections. To maintain your rental property in habitable condition, schedule pest control inspections once every year. If needed have the entire property, not just certain parts, treated. Stick to your pest control schedule even if there are no reports of pest sightings.
Re-Painting
Adding a fresh coat of paint to your rental property is a great way to spruce it up. Usually, the best time to schedule this is right after a tenant moves out the property is vacant. If you have a long-term tenant, information from an annual property inspection should be used to determine when repainting is needed. The cost of repainting should be included as part of your property maintenance plan.
Perform Leak Tests
Water leaks are a property owner’s (and a tenant’s) worst nightmare. In addition to causing extensive damage, water leaks can contribute to the growth and spread of mold.
Every property has some items that will eventually show signs of excessive wear and tear. Have a professional conduct a thorough annual inspection of the property to check for signs of leaks in ceilings, dividers and rooftops. This can also include having a plumber check and test for leaks or excessive wear in water heaters, around toilets, showers, and windows. Fix any leaks immediately and replace appliances that show excessive wear before they fail and cause damage.
Perform Routine Annual Inspections
Sometimes, tenants deliberately damage rental properties. Many irresponsible tenants do not perform regular tasks such as taking out the trash or vacuuming the floors.
You can charge for property damage arising out of your tenant’s negligence, but remember, reestablishing the property for lease is a long process, which can mean a loss of rental income. Some tenants may not have the means to pay for excessive damage or might not be bothered with the legal implications of failure to perform their duties diligently.
To avoid such circumstances, conduct a thorough annual inspection of your property to ensure it is property maintained while it is occupied. Give prior notice to your tenant about scheduling property inspections and the time needed to complete the inspection.
When you have a busy schedule proper property management can easily slip your mind. Let Valley Management Group help you. We are one of the most trusted property management companies in San Jose. We provide our clients with peace of mind. From making necessary repairs to collecting rent, we will oversee every aspect of property management.
