Rental Property Maintenance: A Complete Guide

Do you want your rental property to be a success? Around 36% of the US population rent properties, and you want your property to stand out from the rest as a property owner. One of the critical factors that will determine your success is property maintenance. 

One reason tenants do not want lease renewals is poor rental property maintenance, which also costs the landlord. After all, maintenance issues can worsen the longer you leave them, which can lead to more costly damage and repairs. Property upkeep is also key to managing evictions and accurate property accounting. 

Are you interested in learning more? Here is a complete guide to successfully maintaining your property. 

Property Maintenance Frequency 

How often you carry out property maintenance depends on several factors, such as lease renewals. It is best to do complete inspections at least once during a tenant's contract, but you can stagger other tasks based on seasonal maintenance needs:

• Summer maintenance: outdoor areas, alarms, pest control
• Fall maintenance: HVAC maintenance, roof maintenance, windows
• Winter maintenance: Pipes, walkways
• Spring: Washing property, landscape management, AC maintenance

These are examples of how you can divide property maintenance throughout the seasons. This also helps enhance property upkeep and ensures your property is maintained throughout the year without falling into disrepair. 

Property Maintenance Approach

It is essential to be clear about what you are responsible for and what the tenant is responsible for when it comes to property maintenance. Including owner statements and photo evidence in rental contracts can be helpful.

You can also utilize online tools such as tenant portals to easily manage maintenance issues that arise and other tasks such as rent collection. You can also store a maintenance checklist on owner portals, which can also inform tax documents and evictions. 

It is best to schedule inspections in advance with the tenant, which can be done with an online tool to find a time that suits you both. You might want to arrange last-minute inspections if evictions are possible or if there was extreme weather that could've caused damage. 

What to Include in Property Maintenance

Various tasks require maintenance throughout the year. Consider your property and its specific needs. However, here are some common maintenance tasks:

• Check for leaks 
• Inspect safety features
• Carry out roof maintenance 
• Check caulking, walls, and windows
• Observe tenant activity 
• Pest control
• Replace HVAC filters 
• Outdoor landscaping

The specific tasks you carry out depend on your property. However, it is vital to test safety features such as carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms, along with checking the tenant is sticking to your rental agreement. Addressing leaks, roof damage, and other issues fast can prevent problems from escalating beyond repair. 

Successful Property Maintenance

How you approach property maintenance will make or break your rental property's success. A strategy is a key to your success, but you do not have to create it alone. You can get support from an experienced rental management team to help set up owner portals, manage rent collection, and other essential tasks. 

Are you a property owner in Las Vegas? We are here to help you manage your properties and be as successful as possible. Contact us at Avalon Realty and Oaktree Management to learn more.