Preventive Maintenance Tasks for Landlords

Being a landlord is no easy task; even if you are earning good money, there are things to be done like paper works, interviewing would-be tenants, attending home owners association and maintenance work.

To keep your tenants satisfied, you also need to look at this aspect. For starters, appliance repair is a must especially if those are old models because they need fine-tuning at times or maintaining the garden.

As their landlord, it's your job to take care of the place they live in and its surroundings.
These are the most common preventive maintenance tasks you need to be aware of:


    heating and cooling system
    Plumbing and drain maintenance and fixing leaks
    Painting
    Appliance repair or replacement
    Maintaining landscape structures
    Water management
    Fireplace and chimney cleaning

As well as:

The Gutter

The ability of the gutter to function well depends on how it is being cared for. You need a gutter that is durable and easily guides water from the roof "safely away from the foundation" that's why it's important that the gutter is not blocked by any kind of debris.
Have well-trained people to do the gutter maintenance regularly to ensure that there is no blockage in it.

Gutter Guards

There are gutter guards which you can buy from the hardware stores which ensure that no leaves and other things like twigs can get inside. Just make sure you buy a gutter guard that also stops smaller debris from entering the gutter.

Dryer

Every year, there approximately 2,900 residential fires reported because of dryers and "34% of them are due to poor maintenance" and one of the reason for this is because hair is often stocked inside the vent ducts.

To know if the dryer is malfunctioning, you need to be aware if there is a fixed stream of warm air going out of the outdoor opening of its vent. If the flap isn't moving, take away the vent cap and suck out the vent using the vacuum. Separate the vent and the dryer and clean out hair in case you find some.

It is recommended by the Community Association Underwriters of America that dryers be professionally serviced every 2-3 years to prevent untoward incidences. It is better to make safety precautionary measure to prevent damage rather than waiting for it to happen.

Septic System  

An overflowing septic tank is not a good scenario especially if you've received a call about it at 2 in the morning that's why you need to have someone check the septic tank regularly to make sure the drainage is doing okay.

HVAC Maintenance

Make sure you do the routine change of heating and cooling filters that need to be done every 6-12 months. This makes sure air quality is A-ok. Since filters are not very expensive, changing them seems like a more plausible idea. Furnace filters cost range from $4-$20 which depends on the size and model.

Fireplace and Chimney Cleaning

A yearly chimney maintenance check is recommended if your tenants use the fireplace often. 1/8 thick soot residues need to be removed.

A well maintained chimney produces a hotter fire than the ones that are not. To add, soot deposits in the air darken the stones near the hearth and it also mute the vibrant colors of the walls it the room where the fireplace is.

*Unforeseen events can and will happen in your property but there are preventive measures that you can do in order to maintain your property's livable condition.