Renting out a property in Southwest Michigan requires an attention to maintenance. You’ll need to take care of routine maintenance issues such as toilets that won’t flush and garbage disposals that get stuck. You’ll also need to be prepared for emergency maintenance. Tenants will call in the middle of the night or over the weekend to report a water heater has burst or a tree has fallen through the roof.
The best way to manage your maintenance and keep your costs under control is to adopt a schedule of preventative maintenance. There are five things you can do to keep your property well-maintained.
HVAC Inspections and Service
Your heating and cooling system is one of the most expensive systems in your property. You want to extend its life for as long as possible. By having a qualified technician inspect and service the furnace and the air conditioning unit at least once or even twice a year, you can ensure it continues to run efficiently and cleanly. Paying for this routine and preventative measure will save you money on larger and more costly repairs. It will also give you peace of mind.
Look for Leaks
Nothing will damage a property faster than water. You need to make sure there aren’t any leaks under the sinks or behind the walls. Preventative measures you can take include having your gutters cleaned and trimming trees away from your house so the drainage systems continue to work. Check your sprinklers and any irrigation systems regularly, and make sure they’re working properly.
Keep Up with Landscaping
Whether you’re responsible for the outdoor maintenance or your tenants are required to keep the lawn mowed and the bushes trimmed, make sure there’s some consistency in the way the landscaping is cared for. You could hire a professional company to take care of lawn care and snow removal and then work the cost of that service into your rent. By paying attention to the landscaping, you preserve the value of your home and continue to make it appealing to good tenants.
Make Seasonal Checklists
You should have a checklist for winterizing your home and for preparing it for the spring. You’ll need to do different things depending on the season, and it’s important to be prepared. You want to avoid frozen pipes, damage from wind and snow, and insulation problems. Your tenants will need heat in the winter and air in the summers.
Inspect Annually
The best way to manage preventative maintenance is by getting into the property at least once during a tenancy. This will give you the opportunity to look for unreported maintenance issues. Check the sinks and the tubs, look at the appliances, and make sure the floors, roof, windows, stairs, and walkways are all in good condition. If you notice that anything needs to be repaired, take care of it right away.
Preventative maintenance saves you money and increases the value of your property. It also keeps your tenant happy and contributes to better retention rates. All of these things earn you a better return on your investment.
If you’d like some help planning a preventative maintenance plan, please contact us at Real Property Management Southwest Michigan. We’d be happy to help you.
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