34% of homebuyers in 2021 purchased their first homes. For those that became landlords, these property maintenance errors were common. Being a landlord comes with a lot of responsibility.
One of the most important duties is making sure your property is well-maintained. This can be difficult to keep up with, as there are so many things to consider. Here are four common mistakes landlords make when it comes to property maintenance and how to avoid them.
1. Not Doing Regular Inspections
Landlords should have regular rental property inspections. This will help them identify any problems that need to be addressed and address them in a timely manner. This is an important aspect of property management.
An inspection as part of your property maintenance routine allows the landlord to ensure that all safety standards are being met and that tenants are taking good care of the rental unit. It’s important for landlords to document these visits so they can prove they were done if needed.
2. Not Staying On Top of Repairs
One of the biggest mistakes a landlord can make is not staying on top of rental property repairs. Not only does this create an unsafe living environment for tenants, but it could also lead to lawsuits or other legal issues if repairs go unaddressed for too long.
Landlords should always respond quickly when tenants report any repair needs and try to resolve them as soon as possible. This will help ensure that tenants are living in a safe and comfortable environment.
3. Ignoring Preventative Maintenance
It’s much easier and cheaper for landlords to take preventative measures than it is for them to wait until something breaks down before fixing it. This means regularly checking filters, changing batteries in smoke detectors, inspecting water heaters and other appliances, etc.
Taking these steps ahead of time will save time and money in the long run by preventing bigger problems from occurring in the future.
4. Not Knowing Local Laws
There are laws governing different aspects of property management, such as rent control, eviction notices, tenant rights, etc., and landlords must be aware of these laws in order to stay compliant with their local regulations. Ignoring local ordinances could lead to hefty fines or even criminal charges if a landlord is found breaking them knowingly or unknowingly.
It’s important for landlords to familiarize themselves with local laws before renting out their properties or hiring property managers who know about local regulations.
Avoid Common Property Maintenance Errors
Property maintenance is an essential part of being a successful landlord. It is easy for landlords to make mistakes when managing their rental units if they aren’t careful enough or don’t know what they should do when something goes wrong. By avoiding these five common property maintenance errors, landlords can ensure their rental units remain safe and attractive places for potential tenants.
You can also take the easy route out. Contact us today and we'll take property management off your hands. We have the expertise to keep your rental property in top condition, so you can focus on other things.
