A rental property is an investment. Whether you recently came into your first rental unit or your own several properties across Southern California, you need to keep your units in good shape. Home maintenance can be expensive. According to data provided by Nerdwallet, Americans spend more than $500 billion on home repairs and improvements each year. With proper maintenance, you can go a long way towards limiting your long-term costs. In this article, our East San Gabriel Valley property management team highlights the most maintenance procedures for rental properties in Southern California.
Ten of the Most Common Rental Property Maintenance Procedures
When a tenant moves into your property, they have a responsibility to treat it with respect and follow the terms of the lease agreement. As a rental property owner (landlord), you generally have a duty to ensure that proper ongoing maintenance is concluded. Here is a list of nine of the most common rental property maintenance procedures:
1. Test the Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors: In California, all landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that there are proper working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in their unit. You should quickly check smoke & carbon monoxide detectors during routine maintenance. The batteries may need to be replaced.
2. Take a Look at the Security of Doors and Windows: In conducting routine rental property maintenance, it is also a good idea to look at the security of doors and windows. If there are any issues, they should be quickly addressed. Unsecure doors/windows can be a potential safety issue. Additionally, unsecured windows can make your unit far less efficient, especially if the air conditioning unit is running regularly.
3. Patch Any Damage to the Walls: Another routine property maintenance issue is to take a close look at the drywall. If there are any holes or damage, then the wall should be patched. By taking care of this on a regular basis, you can keep your rental property in the best position.
4. Check Out the Heating and Cooling Systems (HVAC): Rental property owners should always put a focus on the maintenance of their heating and cooling systems. In Southern California, air conditioning is obviously a much greater concern. The last thing you want to deal with is an emergency call from a tenant who suddenly lost their air conditioning. Proper HVAC maintenance can avoid emergency problems and keep your system healthy so that it can last many more years without being replaced. Air filters should be replaced regularly. A dirty filter reduces air quality, efficiency, and puts additional stress on your HVAC unit.
5. Drain the Water Heater (Annual Maintenance): Too many rental property owners overlook the importance of water heater maintenance. A water heater replacement can be quite expensive. You want to keep your water heater in good working condition for as long as possible. It is a best practice to drain (flush) a water heater annually to prevent an over-build-up of sediment.
6. Look for Any Water Damage: Another big issue for rental properties is unrepaired water damage. Leaks happen and water damage can occur in a wide range of different places. Check for water damage regularly and take immediate action to address the matter by identifying and repairing any leaks.
7. Check for Any Evidence of Insects/Rodents: During routine rental property maintenance procedures, it is best practice to look for any evidence of unwanted pests, including insects and rodents. If you see evidence of pests, it usually means that there is a much larger infestation. Pest control should be proactive, not reactive.
8. Review the Exterior of the Property: In some cases, rental property owners do not have to worry about exterior issues. For example, you may own a rental unit in a large apartment building or condo building. In that case, another party may be responsible for exterior maintenance. However, if you do own the exterior of the property, you need to conduct regular maintenance—this includes everything from cleaning gutters to handling trees.
9. Ask Your Tenant About the Unit: Finally, if you have a reasonably good relationship with a tenant, it is often a good idea to ask them about the property. In some cases, tenants can help you identify potential issues that could otherwise go unnoticed. A happy and engaged tenant is more likely to treat your property with the respect it deserves.
For rental property owners in the East San Gabriel Valley, it is important to remember that property maintenance is not just about spending money—it is about saving money. Regular maintenance on the front end will keep your property in great condition, ensure that any problems are quickly identified, and preserve the long-term value of your investment.
Our Property Management Team Takes the Hassle Out of Maintenance
As important as it is, property maintenance can be a hassle. It can take a lot of time, energy, and resources to know what to do and when to do it. At Real Property Management, our Glendale property management professionals are focused on taking the stress out of rental property maintenance. You can maintain your rental unit without breaking the bank.
We provide comprehensive property management services to our clients, including taking care of all of their property inspection and property maintenance needs. Notably, we have connections to national and local maintenance companies. If you have any specific concerns about property maintenance in East San Gabriel Valley, we would be more than happy to sit down with you for a conversation.
Call Our East San Gabriel Valley Property Management Team Today
At Real Property Management, our East San Gabriel property management professionals are committed to helping people make more money from their rental unit—without all of the hassles. If you have any questions about rental property maintenance, we are more than happy to help. Give us a call now or Contact us online for a confidential, no-obligation initial consultation. You can get a free assessment of your rental property. We provide top property management services throughout the East San Gabriel Valley, including in Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, and Alhambra.
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