Routine maintenance will protect the condition of your Idaho Falls investment property and demonstrate to your residents that you care about that property and the way it functions.
Most importantly, it protects you against the cost and the stress of emergency repairs.
As an investor, you need to understand that routine maintenance issues will occur from time to time. While no one likes to spend money repairing and replacing items and systems in the home, it’s better than being caught off guard by a leaking roof or a non-working furnace.
Be responsive when it comes to routine maintenance and take care of the work as soon as possible. It’s better for your bottom line.
Create a Maintenance Reporting Policy
Tenants need to understand the urgency in reporting maintenance needs right away. Deferred and unreported repairs will only lead to higher costs.
Establish the process in your lease agreement. Provide a way for your residents to put their request in writing, and follow a consistent procedure for contacting vendors and handling the repair. Then, follow up with your tenant.
This routine response will ensure you don’t have repair costs that are higher than necessary. When you’re looking for Idaho Falls property management, ask about the maintenance reporting process. Most property managers have it automated and seamless, which is a time and money saver.
Safety and Habitability Issues in Idaho Falls Rental Homes
Routine maintenance should always including checking for safety and habitability issues. Always inspect, service, and maintain your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure you’re keeping your property protected against mold and pests.
Look for potential problem areas such as corrosion on stair handrails or balconies and any deterioration in appliances or electrical outlets. Wood rot can also be a big problem, so check the outside of your property for any problem areas. Preventative maintenance inspections can help. If you schedule annual inspections, you’ll have the peace of mind that your rental property is safe and habitable.
Water Damage is an Expensive Rental Property Repair
Wetness and moisture will cause more damage to your property than anything else. It’s important that you routinely check for leaks. Have your maintenance team look under sinks and check ceilings and walls for discoloration or damp surfaces.
Check your home ventilation and respond immediately when a tenant reports a problem with the plumbing, whether it’s a running toilet or a leaky sink. Remember to clean out the gutters when necessary and check your irrigation system.
Inspect the Roof, Landscaping, and Trees
If your property is surrounded by trees, there’s a danger that the branches will get too close to power lines. This could cause fires, so keep the trees trimmed. You also don’t want branches, leaves, and debris to gather on your roof or in your gutters. Hire a professional to trim back branches on a regular basis so they don’t interfere with the wires or with your property’s roof.
Make sure the landscaping isn’t creating a safety hazard. Overgrown bushes in front of the building can block windows, leaving tenants vulnerable. Make sure there is plenty of exterior lighting and keep the outdoor spaces free of weeds, branches, and debris. Check the parking area and make sure it’s well-lit and easy to access. These routine inspections will prevent potential problems.
Service Your Heating and Cooling Units
In Idaho Falls, we experience all the seasons. Tenants will need the air conditioning in the summer and the heating in the winter. Your furnace is an expensive system in your property, and you’ll want to make sure it’s in good shape. Have it inspected and serviced annually. This will prevent emergency repairs and provide you with a longer lifespan for the entire system.
When you’re looking for an Idaho Falls property management team that can keep your maintenance costs down with routine repairs and inspections, please contact us at Jacob Grant Property Management. We’d be happy to talk more about our routine and preventative maintenance programs.
