Reduce Repair Costs with Regular Maintenance Schedule

The costs of repairs and renovations to your properties can add up quickly in this business. Keeping expenses reasonable is a constant challenge. Regular maintenance is one key to keeping costs under control by preventing little issues from becoming big ones over time.

The national statistic on the Cash Value of Home Maintenance states, for every $1 that is spent on maintenance, up to $100 of repairs are avoided.

In addition, a well-maintained property sets a standard for your tenants. You will have an easier time attracting tenants who respect your property rather than add to existing damage.

So if your property manager does not already have a standard schedule of cleaning and maintenance developed, or you are not using one, you will want to create a schedule. You’ll also want to consider having a checklist for your cleaning staff so they can notify you of minor, easily-repairable damage in common areas if they exist in your properties.

1. Check for pests and treat accordingly
Rodents and insects can be concerns in some areas of the country. If you live in an area that is subject to infestations, establish preventative measures and ensure regular inspections are conducted. Pests can do considerable damage to a property in a short amount of time, so vigilance is vital.

2. Check for leaks as often as possible
Water damage can quickly become a huge problem. Untreated it can destroy walls, ceilings and possessions and develop into an insanely expensive problem with dangerous mold. Inspect for signs of water around windows, showers, toilets, under sinks, boilers, and water heaters.

The best times to check for leaks are after heavy rainstorms, in the early spring when ice and snow have just begun to melt and in the summer on hot and humid days when pipes tend to sweat. Roofs, ceilings, and walls should also be checked for soft spots.

3. Check for cracks in shower caulking and tile grout
Once the integrity of the caulking or grout is compromised, the waterproof effect is gone and your walls and floors are at risk of water damage. As mentioned above, that’s not a pretty or inexpensive problem. Inspect on a regular basis and make immediate repairs.

4. Change your filters
It costs substantially more to have the ducts professionally cleaned than to replace the filters. On forced air heating systems, filters will need to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines or at least twice a year. Failing to do so will increase utility costs and may potentially lead to unit malfunctions, in addition to the cleaning costs.

5. Check fire detectors regularly
It goes without saying that a fire is a devastating occurrence for both the landlord and the tenant. All the insurance in the world can’t adequately compensate for the upheaval and headaches that a fire can have. Ensure batteries and hard wired units are operating properly at regular intervals.

Do you stay up to date on maintenance? Or have you learned the hard way by incurring expensive repairs? Share your story below.