If you want your rental property to last for a long time, you must stay on top of preventative maintenance. Some homeowners frown at this, as there is a cost to do so, but annual and seasonal maintenance tasks can mean a world of difference.
A key aspect of rental property management is mitigating issues so that they don’t turn into major problems. By taking smaller steps to protect your property and ensure it is in working condition, you’ll be saving yourself headaches and thousands of dollars in the long run.
Below, we’ll walk through how you can maximize property longevity through effective preventative maintenance strategies.
Preventative Maintenance: What It Is, Why It Matters and Long-Term Benefits
Preventative maintenance is the most practical approach to maintaining your home. Instead of responding to problems when they happen and searching for fixes, you’ll be taking steps to prevent the problems from happening in the first place. Budgeting for property maintenance helps you avoid financial surprises and protect your investment by setting aside funds for routine tasks.
Examples of Preventative Maintenance
Tree trimming
By identifying problematic tree limbs and trees, you could be helping to prevent a tree from falling into your living room during a bad storm.
Exterior Paint
You may not think of this as preventative maintenance, but paint protects your home from the elements. If the paint is cracked, it can cause issues from within your home that you may not see for years, especially in high-humidity areas such as Austin, Texas.
Savvy Austin property management companies will build preventative maintenance plans to inspect properties and identify issues before they escalate. Investing in small projects like replacing caulking now can prevent costly repairs later and save thousands of dollars over time.
Key Areas of Focus for Preventative Maintenance
There are many areas of your property that you should assess.
Exterior maintenance
Look primarily at all areas that could be susceptible to water damage and/or water entering the home.
Examine all entrances to your home, windows, painting and caulking. If anything needs repair or replacement, address it right away. Not only will this save you money on repairs, but it’ll help you save on utilities as well, by preventing heat and cool air from escaping the home.
Interior maintenance
Examine faucets, sinks, tubs, showers, toilets and light fixtures. The older these things get, the more susceptible they are to not working properly.
It’s a relatively inexpensive investment to update fixtures and other things in your home, and it’s a great preventative maintenance task to do as well. Not only that, but updating parts of the interior of your home could make it more attractive to prospective residents, which is why they’re essential to make ready services.
While not strictly preventative maintenance, it’s important to always take resident service requests seriously. What may seem like a minor complaint from a resident could escalate into a serious problem if left unresolved.
It also gives you an opportunity to turn those requests into something of value for you. For example, you could tie interior upgrades into lease renewal.
If the resident renews their lease for another year, you can agree to upgrade fixtures and features within the property they are unhappy with. This not only makes your residents happy, it also helps prevent issues, reduces resident turnover and increases the value of your home.
Seasonal Maintenance Tasks and How to Plan for Them
In addition to preventative maintenance tasks, seasonal maintenance is crucial for protecting your property year-round:
Spring
HVAC Check
Schedule a professional HVAC inspection to ensure your air conditioning system is ready for warmer months. This includes cleaning or replacing air filters, checking refrigerant levels, and inspecting for any potential issues.
Lawn Preparation
Start lawn maintenance by clearing debris and preparing the lawn for growth.
Summer
Deck and Fence Maintenance
Intense heat and sunlight can cause wood to dry out and become brittle. That’s why you should stay on top of staining and painting fencing and decking. This is a one-time cost outlay that will protect these structures for years.
Fall
HVAC Check
Conduct another HVAC inspection to prepare your heating system for the colder months. This ensures that your furnace is functioning efficiently and safely.
Gutter Cleaning
Make sure to clean out your gutters so they don’t clog, which can result in water backing up into the fascia, soffit, siding and more. The weight of leaves can also put a physical strain on the home, tearing up the roof and siding in extreme cases.
Lawn Maintenance
Continue lawn care by raking leaves and addressing any debris that could shelter for animals and critters. Not only will this kill your lawn, but it could also result in pest issues.
Winter
Tree Maintenance
Stay on top of trees, as dead limbs can be a huge problem. This is a significant liability for rental property owners, as the home and people who live in it and walk by it could sustain major injuries.
Insulate Pipes
Frozen pipes can result in leaks, flooding, and even mold growth. To prevent frozen pipes, insulate exposed pipes in colder areas using foam sleeving or heat tape.
Seasonal maintenance tasks not only protect your home, but they are important when you go to lease your property. Your home and property don’t have to look perfect, but they must look clean, well-maintained, and presentable to attract high-quality residents who are likely to renew their leases.
Working with Pros to Build a Plan
At 1836 Property Management, we work closely with Consider It Done to streamline preventative maintenance for our clients. Consider It Done provides us with detailed reports outlining their findings and recommendations for immediate action. Once we review these recommendations, we present them to the property owners for approval.
After receiving the owner’s consent, we coordinate directly with Consider It Done to ensure all approved projects are completed efficiently. This seamless process allows owners to stay informed without needing to manage vendor interactions themselves.
This is especially important for owners who don’t live near their rental property. By trusting a professional and licensed company to handle preventative maintenance, owners can rest assured knowing their properties are inspected annually. Also, any issues are addressed promptly without requiring their direct involvement.
Conclusion
Preventative maintenance is an investment in the longevity of your rental property. By staying proactive with regular upkeep—whether it’s trimming trees or addressing resident concerns—you’ll save money in the long run while keeping tenants satisfied.
At 1836 Property Management, we are always looking for new ways to better serve our clients, which is why we’re considered one of the top Austin property management companies.
1836 Property Management is located at 1704 ½ South Congress Avenue, Suite E in Austin, TX, and can be reached at (512) 994-4323.
For more information, please contact us today.
