Maintenance & Repairs
One of the biggest problems relating to the management of rental property is maintenance. A poorly maintained property leads to higher tenant turnover as a landlords’ failure to respond to basic maintenance requests is one of the most common causes of tenant dissatisfaction.
Take a proactive approach to maintenance.
Maintenance problems tend to fall into two categories
Emergency Maintenance
The first is emergency work; those problems which need immediate attention. These can be a whole range of things from burst pipes to heating boilers not working, a leaking washing machine or broken shower. Depending on the severity of the problem, they often need immediate attention in order to prevent serious long-term damage.
This is why being on good terms with a plumber and other tradesmen is useful. If you can cultivate a relationship with a trustworthy plumber and other trades people such as electricians; this relationship will turn out to be “priceless” if you need then at short notice in a emergency.
Preventive maintenance
Landlords should look after their property and conduct preventive maintenance on a regular basis. This can prevent small problems escalating into larger and more expensive repair jobs maybe requiring emergency repairs. Once a year you should inspect your property and make a list of areas that need attention. Annual preventive maintenance should include:
· Check plumbing - leaking pipes, blocked drains
· Check all appliances are working properly
· Get gas boilers serviced on an annual basis
· Repair a dripping pipe before it becomes a burst pipe
· Repair a broken pane of glass promptly
· Get gutters cleaned to prevent blocked pipes
· Get drains cleaned regularly especially if there are sewage manholes in your garden
A professional landlord will always respond promptly to dealing with repairs for tenants.
Remember a poorly maintained property leads to higher tenants turnover and more void periods
Tip: Always keep receipts for all repair expenses incurred to include in your rental tax return