To be a successful Baltimore landlord, you must go the extra mile to respond to property maintenance issues. Some of these issues are urgent and threaten the well-being of your residents. That being said, you must be available 24/7 to immediately respond to these requests.
However, you'll only be able to do that sometimes, not 24/7. So, preventive maintenance is more than necessary because by practicing it, you ensure that everything runs smoothly, and when an issue arises, you can prevent it before it becomes a bigger headache. Here is what you need to check in your regular preventive maintenance inspection.
The importance of preventive rental property maintenance in Baltimore
If you spot the issue before it becomes a huge problem, you'll be able to save money on significant expenses while also ensuring that the living conditions and environment of your rental units are in optimal condition. You'll also be able to avoid costly emergencies or significant system breakdowns. Preventive maintenance aims not just to half the costs but also to evaluate and correct small problems before they escalate.
For example, a little dripping leak might not seem like a massive problem that needs urgent fixing, but that leak can further cause damage to the drywall, flooring, and fixtures or even cause devastating mold growth.
Preventive maintenance is also necessary to establish a standard of care for the rental units. Residents appreciate when the house is well kept and handled professionally, so they will also respect your property. Just think of it this way: If you, as a landowner, don't fix or treat the necessary repairs, why would the resident go out of the way to care for the home?
Preventive Maintenance Tips
Taking care of the HVAC system
As a Baltimore landlord, you are responsible for providing the system and ensuring it works properly. You need to change the filters every quarter, or you can do that monthly for the best results. Ensure that the filter size is the correct size for the system. Also, note that you shouldn't block floor or ceiling vents with furniture or other objects that will prevent proper airflow. Finally, make sure you minimize startup and shutdowns.
Taking care of leaks
Another preventive maintenance tip is to check that there are no leaks under the sink, from the washer, around the toilet base, or from the air conditioner. Do these checks periodically and act promptly if you notice even the most minor leaking problems.
Defects in the structure of the property
Regular inspections for revealing defects in the property's structure are one of the most important ones because if they go unnoticed for a longer time, the whole structural integrity of the property will be threatened, which would mean costly repairs and even threatening living conditions. To make sure you don't overlook anything in this kind of inspection, have a checklist like this one by your side:
Foundation
Check for visible cracks or shifts, look for signs of moisture, mold, or water damage, and assess any uneven floors or doors.
Walls and ceilings
Look for cracks, especially around windows, doors, and corners; look for water stains, discoloration, or peeling paint. Inspect the bulging or sagging areas.
Roof
Look for missing damage or curling shingles on the roof; again, check for leaks, water damage, or mold in the attic and inspect the signs of wear and tear on gutters and downspouts especially before winter season.
Floors
Check for sagging, creaking, or uneven floors and inspect for any signs of erupting mold or water damage. Make sure that the tiles, carpets, and floorboards are securely in place.
General tips for preventive maintenance
Here are some general things that you can do to ensure that your Baltimore rental property is taken care of.
Turn off water to outside spigots every fall
Clean the gutters every fall
Remove the leaves from the yard each fall
Repaint the deck and fence when you see that the paint is peeling
Power washer portions siding every few years
Test smoke and carbon dioxide detectors
Drain the water heater every spring
Re-caulk shower showers and bathtubs
Some final thoughts
It is safe to say that overlooking preventing differential property maintenance items is very easy. As a landlord, you have a lot of day-to-day activities that can take over your whole schedule, so things will inevitably be pushed aside. That would mean resident dissatisfaction and costly repairs down the road. To prevent it, you need to do some preventive maintenance activities. If you don't have the time, you can contact a property management company that will take over those activities.
At Pioneer Enterprises, we take preventive maintenance activities seriously and ensure no issues escalate. We do regular checkups and ensure no living conditions are threatened at your rental units. Our mission is to optimize your home's value according to our preventive rental property maintenance guidelines. Our network of trusted handymen contractors and Baltimore property managers will ensure your properties are cared for all year.
So, it is up to you to decide whether you can do the preventive maintenance activities on your own or a higher professional property management company that will do that for you. Either way, ensure the checklist of preventive maintenance activities discussed above in the text is used to your advantage.
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