Poor maintenance practices are one of the main causes of tenant turnover. So, if you want your rental business to succeed, you’ll have to put in a lot of time and effort to keep your property in good condition.
Rental property maintenance requires year-round vigilance. Between handling repairs, cleaning, and ensuring all the services are working correctly, landlords have little to no time left.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! In this article, the experts at PG Management Group will share their best tips for maintaining a rental property while minimizing stress.
What Does Rental Property Maintenance Include?
Maintaining your rental is part of your duties as a landlord. However, keeping your rental property in good shape can also help you fill your vacancies faster and retain tenants for longer.
Most local landlord-tenant laws require property owners to keep their rental units safe and habitable for renters. Although the laws differ from state to state, here are the basic maintenance responsibilities landlord’s have.
Keeping the Property in a Habitable Condition
Landlords are required to ensure their rentals are habitable. This typically means ensuring that the rental is hazard-free, pest free, and sanitary. Landlords should also make sure that locks and essential services, like running water, gas, heating, and electrical systems, are up to code and work correctly.
In Florida, an uninhabitable rental unit is a justified reason to break a lease early. Under Florida landlord-tenant laws, a tenant can vacate a rental that doesn’t meet the habitability standards without having to pay rent.
Keeping the Rental Clean
Landlords are responsible for keeping their rental clean and sanitary before a tenant moves in. The best way to do this is to deep clean the property in between tenancies.
Additionally, if you own a multi-unit rental property, you are responsible for cleaning all common areas, such as hallways, lobbies, and stairways.
Complying with Building, Safety, and Health Codes
As a landlord, you are responsible for ensuring that your rental property is safe for tenants. This includes ensuring that the property complies with local building and safety codes. In most states, this entails:
Letting renters know if there are traces of lead-based paint on properties built before 1978.
Ensuring there’s adequate ventilation.
Checking for mold.
Stating the maximum number of people allowed per unit.
Ensuring that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work correctly.
Ensuring there’s adequate lighting.
Keeping plumbing and electrical wiring in good condition.
Checking the structural integrity of the building.
Making Timely Repairs
Landlords are responsible for making necessary repairs promptly. In Florida, for example, repairs should be attended to within seven days after receiving written notice from tenants.
Handling repairs promptly will not only keep your renters happy but it will also maintain the value of your property. The best way to avoid having to deal with big, costly repairs is to take preventive measures. This is why regular property inspections can go a long way!
Are Tenants Responsible for Any Maintenance Tasks?
Renters are responsible for keeping the rental property well-maintained during their tenancy. The best way to ensure they comply with the cleanliness standards you’ve set is to include them in the lease. For instance, you can add the following clauses:
Keeping the rental clean. Clarify what you expect from them when it comes to keeping the rental in good condition.
Disposing of garbage correctly. In Florida, landlords must provide adequate garbage containers, but tenants are responsible for taking out their trash regularly to keep the rental sanitary and free of pests.
Preventing safety hazards. To ensure your property is always safe, it’s important to take preventive measures. Tenants should avoid creating safety hazards or contact you when they come across one.
How to Keep Your Rental Property in Great Shape
When you rent out your home, maintenance can be challenging at times. Here are 5 tips to help you do this!
1. Have a Checklist
When you have a maintenance checklist, it’s easier to keep track of the tasks you need to do and how often to perform them. Your checklist should include tasks for the interior as well as the exterior of your property.
Plus, make sure to include crucial items such as looking for leaks and signs of mold, cleaning the gutters, and inspecting the roof.
2. Communicate with Tenants
Keeping open lines of communication with your renters can save you a lot of time and money. Make sure tenants have a way to reach you in case there’s ever an emergency.
3. Perform Routine Inspections
Regular property inspections can help you spot problems, such as leaks or repairs, before it’s too late. Make sure to perform move-in and move-out inspections at the start and end of each tenancy to ensure your rental is always in good shape.
4. Always Keep Records
Save all your paperwork and invoices related to property inspections and repairs. This can come in handy when tracking your rental property’s finances but will also keep you protected if there is a legal dispute, such as a renter claiming you didn’t keep the property in habitable condition during their tenancy.
5. Work with a Professional
Property maintenance and repairs can be stressful and time-consuming. If you don’t have a lot of free time or resources to take care of your property, consider hiring a seasoned property management company, such as PG Management! We are professionals that can help you keep on track with maintenance tasks and increase your income.
Bottom Line
Maintaining your rental property can be challenging but it’s necessary to achieve success as a landlord. Keeping a checklist, communicating with tenants, and performing routine inspections can save you a lot of time and money while ensuring your rental is in the utmost condition.
If you don’t have the time to maintain your Florida rental, contact PG Group today! Our team of experts will take care of everything so that you can enjoy the financial benefits of owning a rental, without the hassle.
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