Yearly Maintenance for a Rental
Owning a rental property carries certain responsibilities that cannot be overlooked. You must perform regular maintenance on your rental to ensure a good environment for your tenants and safeguard your investment. In this article, we will explore yearly maintenance for a rental.
Regular Maintenance Tasks for Your Rental
Some maintenance steps must be taken monthly and others can be performed only once or twice a year. Here is a list of common maintenance tasks every landlord should be taking:
-
Extermination Services:
You must have the premises exterminated every month or bi-monthly for the best results. The exterminator will check for insect problems and rodent activity. If you own a multiplex such as an apartment building or duplex, then remember that pests can move from unit to unit. If there is an extreme infestation, then tenants might have to leave the property for a day or so while the place undergoes treatment.
-
After-the-Storm Checks:
If there has been a heavy rainstorm, snow, wind, or ice build-up then you might need to check for leaks in the roof if you are unsure of the condition of the roof. A strong windstorm can easily rip back shingles and cause leaks which will damage the sheetrock and eventually lead to mold growth. Also, in hot and humid weather it is not uncommon for pipes to develop a sweat. You’ll want to watch for soft spots in walls and ceilings from faulty plumbing. Also, check the area around windows, toilets, or showers for water accumulation. Look around water heaters, under sinks, and near boilers. It is imperative that you catch water leaks early to limit damage and stop dangerous mold.
-
Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Checks:
You’ll want to make sure the residence’s smoke and carbon detectors are in good condition. Remember, if a fire occurs or there is a carbon monoxide leak because of a malfunctioning unit or poor batteries then you could face legal action. Carbon monoxide detectors last about five years and smoke detectors work for ten years on average.
-
Caulk and Grout Inspection:
Caulk often loosens around tubs, sinks, and showers. Also, grout can start to chip away. Water will quickly invade such areas. You’ll want to regularly replace old caulk and grout.
-
HVAC System Maintenance:
Most HVAC technicians recommend maintenance every six months to keep the units in good working order.
-
Gutter Cleaning:
Gutters need to be cleaned at least once a year in the fall. Overflowing gutters often cause water damage to the walls or roof.
-
Underground Sprinkler System:
Most landscapers recommend having the underground sprinkler system checked twice a year: in the spring and summer. The system is typically winterized to prevent freezing and breaking the pipes or sprinkler heads.
You might be worried that you just don’t have enough time to perform so much maintenance on your rental or even to schedule skilled tradesmen. With Make Ready Residential, we handle all scheduling and make sure only the best in the trade work on your rental. We are available and ready to dispatch help 24 hours a day for unexpected emergencies.
