If you figure out how to avoid the need for maintenance at your rental property, please let us know what magic you’ve conjured.
No matter how new your home is, no matter how great it’s condition, things will break down from time to time. You’ll have a heater that doesn’t work, a door that doesn’t close properly, and a strange smell coming from the toilet. Residents will call about dripping faucets, torn window screens, and broken appliances.
Prepare yourself for maintenance.
And – do what you can to avoid the most mundane issues.
Here are some of the common maintenance issues that you’ll likely run into, and what you can do to avoid them.
Those Garbage Disposals Will Clog and Grind
Even if you have a garbage disposal in your own home and in your rental properties, you probably understand why many people avoid them altogether. It’s easy to throw food waste down there and flip a switch. But, it’s also frequently an issue that tenants will call to complain about. The disposal will stop working or it will make a ridiculous noise.
Usually, tenants contribute to garbage disposal problems by throwing things into the disposal that are bad for it.
Avoid this common maintenance issue by educating your tenants on what they should and shouldn’t put in a garbage disposal (hint: avocado pits are a NO).
When tenants know how to use their garbage disposal and they understand how easy it is to reset it, you’ll find you have far fewer maintenance calls on this particular issue.
HVAC Repair Needs
Heating and cooling systems might feel expensive to maintain, but they’re even more expensive to replace.
HVAC issues are pretty common, and this is where preventative maintenance can save you a lot of money and help you avoid emergencies.
When an experienced technician is checking your furnace and your thermostat and your ventilation, you’ll find there are fewer issues with the HVAC itself. Tenants will be more comfortable indoors, and your system will last longer.
Plumbing and Drains
Another common maintenance issue is the clogged drain.
It’s easy for sinks to get backed up and showers or tubs to have drainage issues. It isn’t uncommon for these to be the responsibility of the tenant, so make sure they understand all of your expectations and their responsibilities. When you communicate well with your tenants and have a good relationship in place, you can keep your repair needs to a minimum.
Rental Home Appliances
Another common maintenance issue is help with an appliance.
Tenants will often have a refrigerator that stops running or a dryer that isn’t drying. Sometimes, the repairs are more complex and it makes sense to buy a new appliance rather than try to fix the existing one. Upgrading to a new appliance can come with additional benefits. For example, they are usually more energy efficient and your tenants will be happier to have a new appliance in their home. Consider replacing instead of repairing appliances, especially if they are old and worn.
If you don’t love rushing out to address these maintenance issues, consider a more preventative approach. Or, turn the whole thing over to your trusted property management partners.
Us.
Please contact us at Real Estate Gladiators. We serve Monroe, Issaquah, Bellevue, Everett, Lake Stevens, Kirkland, and other cities in and around King and Snohomish counties in Washington State.
