6 Essential Maintenance Tasks Landlords Can’t Avoid

Homeowners know property maintenance is required on just about everything at regular intervals during ownership. While it’s a commitment not all homeowners want, to remain on top of it has an upside. Regular maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of a home before full replacement is needed.

Inspections and maintenance prevent wear and tear.  Homeowners who identify and address issues early on and remedy them preserve the structural integrity of the building.

Real estate investors and landlords understand that they must budget for annual property maintenance requirements when purchasing a rental property. Owner occupiers are less diligent and often put off small fixes. As a rule of thumb -the older the home, the higher the cost of repairs and replacements. For example a newish home requires an annual budget of $500 whereas an older home needs a minimum annual budget of $2000.

Explore the following six maintenance tasks, landlords and homeowners shouldn’t overlook.

Gutter and Drain Cleaning

Drains and gutters can become blocked with leaves, tree roots, and other debris. Failure to remove blockages can lead to significant water damage, including water in the basement. Gutters, downspouts, and drains should be inspected and cleaned annually, as well as frequently during snow and ice buildup periods.

Air Conditioner Tuneup

Regular heating and air conditioning system maintenance, including an air conditioner tune-up, is a vital component of overall system maintenance.

Among the items included in a tune-up are cleaning the condenser coils, changing or cleaning the air filters, evaluating the coolant level, inspecting the blower belt, and testing the thermostat’s functionality.

Annual costs for an AC tune-up are relatively modest and can help extend the system’s lifespan while saving on energy costs. Remember to take electrical safety measures.

Inspections for Water Leaks

Water leaks can occur in the roof, windows, doors, and pipes. The first step is to hire a qualified and experienced plumber or building inspector to locate the source of the leak. If the vulnerability is in your roof, use a roofing contractor to determine whether it requires maintenance or replacement. Then you can choose who is best suited to do the work. Get quotes and check references to ensure you hire the right roofing contractor at an affordable price.

Plumbing systems will at some stage of homeownership have issues. Rather than dealing with expensive repairs later, inspect your plumbing quarterly and fix leaks around faucets, sinks, toilets, and appliances, such as the water heater and dishwasher.

Tackling minor repairs can save thousands of dollars later on by preventing the need to replace damaged ceilings, floors, or cabinetry. Of course, repair costs depend on the specific issues that need to be addressed, but expect average hourly rates for a plumber to range from $45 to $150 per hour.

Lawn Maintenance

Tenants typically don’t maintain a yard like a homeowner. This lack of proper care can lead to weeds, overgrowth, and dead patches. Landlords should inspect lawns seasonally. A monthly lawn care service can cost as little as $30 per visit, while establishing a new lawn, if needed, can cost approximately $2,000 or more.

Carpet Care

Carpets should be cleaned between tenants. Carpet cleaning for a 1,500-square-foot house may have a nominal cost of perhaps $200. The tenant typically covers the expenses of excessively dirty or damaged carpets.

Carpets in a home will eventually need to be replaced; expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $10 per square foot, depending on the type of carpeting you install.

Painting

Cleaning walls may extend the life of interior paint for a tenant or two, but eventually, the interiors will need to be repainted, and small holes will require patching. Sometimes, excessive tenant damage may necessitate painting, which you’d bill to the tenant’s security deposit.

The typical cycle for interior repainting is every three to four years. A home advisor says interior painting typically costs between $380 and $790 for a 10-by-12-foot room, depending on the quality of the paint.

Exterior repainting typically occurs every 10 years. A home advisor says exterior painting for a 1,500-square-foot single-story house can cost as much as $3,000.

Landlords cannot escape essential maintenance tasks. Those not adequately taken care of often become deferred maintenance issues, generally costing more than the periodic maintenance would have. Plan for these items at your rental properties that require regular attention in your budget.

Inspection Tips For Homeowners

Regular inspections and maintenance allow homeowners to identify and address potential problems before they escalate. This includes checking for leaks, inspecting the roof, and ensuring proper drainage, among other things.

Minor issues, if left unaddressed, can develop into more significant problems over time. By promptly addressing minor repairs, homeowners can prevent the deterioration of building components and systems.

Create a checklist of all the parts of your home that need to be checked, along with the frequency of inspections.

Your inspection should also extend to appliances. Regular maintenance of appliances, heating and cooling systems, and other home systems can extend their lifespan. This saves money on replacement costs and ensures that the home functions efficiently.