Landlord Advice: Effective Strategies for Maintenance Coordination
Just over 40% of residents in Merced, CA, own their own homes. This makes the city an excellent destination for earning rental income from your investment properties.
Before you rush out and invest in property in this growing city, there are a few things you should know about being a landlord.
Ongoing property maintenance is one of the biggest responsibilities of any landlord. It's essential to protect the value of your investment and encourage lease renewals.
Keep reading for tips on how to master maintenance coordination.
Compile a Maintenance Coordination Schedule
As a landlord, you have a legal obligation to keep your rental property in a habitable condition. Ongoing maintenance is an important part of this.
Regular maintenance also helps maintain the value of your property. It prevents small problems from becoming expensive replacements down the line.
Make a note of the seasonal tasks involved in maintaining your rental property. These are some of the things to include:
- Annual roof inspections
- Fall gutter cleaning
- Landscaping and lawn care
- Tree trimming
- Bi-annual HVAC inspections
In many cases, you can sign up with your preferred contractors for packages that include ongoing maintenance of your home. This can help you streamline these procedures and save money in the process.
Staying up-to-date with routine and preventive maintenance helps you avoid emergency maintenance requests from your tenants.
Work From a Checklist
Routine property inspections are an excellent opportunity to build good relationships with your tenants. They're also ideal for carrying out maintenance checks or completing minor tasks.
Working from a checklist ensures you don't miss anything during these visits. Some of the things to inspect at these times include:
- Plumbing and electrical fixtures
- Carbon monoxide monitors
- Heating and cooling equipment
- Fire safety equipment
Property inspections also present opportunities to attend to minor issues. These include replacing the batteries in your safety alarms and installing new filters in your HVAC.
Clear Communication With Affected Parties
All maintenance tasks involve a degree of disturbance for your tenants. Be sure to advise them about any upcoming property inspections well in advance.
You must also advise them of pending maintenance tasks. This allows them to plan their daily routine to avoid inconvenience.
It's best to communicate in writing with both your tenants and any maintenance contractors you hire and insist on a reply. This helps avoid miscommunications and assists you with record-keeping.
A landlord-tenant portal is an excellent tool for allowing your tenants to reach out to you about maintenance issues.
Protect the Value of Your Investment
Overall, hiring an experienced property manager is the most effective way to ensure your property is well maintained.
PMI Merced offers a full range of property management services to help you profit from your California investment property. We are backed by over 20 years of experience in California real estate.
Our services include tenant relations, maintenance coordination, property inspections, rent collections, and guidance for improving your property's value.
Browse our blog for more landlord tips, and reach out today to embrace our formula for success.
