15 Most Common Maintenance Issues and How To Deal With Them
As a new landlord introducing him/herself to property management and residential services, maintenance is one area you will have to put on top of the list. Indeed, residents will at some point make a request, or the community pool will need some fixing. Whatever the case, being prompt with maintenance will not only avoid the development of more expensive problems, it will also keep residents happy and reduce tenant turnover.
There are common property maintenance issues that will come up along the way, and preparing for them in advance can help eliminate unnecessary stress for you and your residents. Here are the common problems and how you can go about dealing with them:
Air conditioning
HVAC (air conditioning, ventilation, and heating) is prone to damages after a period of service, and you will probably notice this when belts break and leaks begin to open up. And as one of the most useful powered devices, you don't want to wait until it has completely broken down to initiate repairs, as then you will end up leaving your tenants in a very uncomfortable environment.
If an HVAC starts acting up, it is recommendable to consult a professional immediately before it suffers extensive damages. Even better, consider enrolling in a maintenance plan to ensure your air-conditionings get repairs regularly. This will help save you from incurring expensive repairs down the road.
Drain clogs
Plumbing issues tend to be quite a common headache that landlords have to deal with. Usually, drains can clog or leak as a result of plumbing issues, say due to a sealant problem. This can affect the showers and bathtubs in residents' houses, leading to very disgruntled tenants.
Seeking a professional to look into the issue can help identify the source of the problem. More important, scheduling annual inspections can ensure you tend to potential problems before they cause bigger inconveniences.
Broken doors and locks
Twelve percent of service requests in residential communities revolve around broken doors and locks. It is not so out of imagination for a tenant to come home late and tired. And while opening the door, the key breaks into the lock. This is not only annoying to the tenant but inconvenient for you since you will have to leave your business to seek a locksmith to fix the issue. The best way to handle a case of broken doors and locks is to have them repaired sooner than later.
Damaged sinks
Many property maintenance requests tend to focus on sinks since problems such as leaks, clogs, cracked hoses, smells, and cracked pipes, are quite common. If not addressed early enough, these issues may escalate to cause more damages to the floors and walls. As a landlord, be sure to consult an expert plumber to advise whether you need repairs or replacements.
Shower
Problems with the shower are also a maintenance issue that tenants will raise; showerheads can break, clogs and leaks can happen, and water can come out cold. While some problems are easy to troubleshoot, most of them will require the expertise of a professional plumber, so be sure to have one on speed dial.
Lights
When it comes to lights, issues can be as minor as a short in the socket or as major as lighting fixtures that break. Typically, tenants will bring their own light bulbs. But if the lights keep flickering, then you'll probably need to consult a professional electrician to solve the issue once and for all.
Toilets
A running toilet can cause serious damages to your flooring and subflooring, leading to unpleasant issues such as discoloration around the base. It can also lead to rising water bills for the tenants due to a lot of water wastage, not to mention you can end up using more resources in repairs and maintenance if you leave the problem unattended. You can avoid putting yourself and residents in awful situations by calling a professional to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Garbage disposal
Typically, disposals should be cleaned every year, and failure to be prompt in cleaning them can be quite unpleasant for everyone. In some cases, something can get stuck in the disposal, making it quite challenging to use it properly. Don't let garbage become unbearable, and you can do this by dealing with disposal issues promptly.
Refrigerators
As a property manager, you have to make sure your fridges are functioning properly. While here, remember there are always newer fridges with smart features, water filters, custom settings, and other nuances that tenants might be interested in. Seek the help of a specialist to confirm the fridges are functioning optimally, lest residents risk wasting groceries and frozen goods because refrigerators are not working.
Appliances: ovens, dishwashers, and washing machines
Appliances tend to damage due to factors such as electrical damages, burn-out ovens, and more. To keep them working normally, you need to troubleshoot them, and for efficiency, it is advisable to work with someone knowledgeable about each and every item. This is to make sure residents won't have trouble using or operating them.
Garage doors
Due to exposure to extreme weather, garage doors can damage from rust and other problems. And when they don't function as expected, residents can become irate, which can lead to them moving out. Be sure to repair garage doors as soon as they show signs of ineffectiveness. A verified electrician or handyman can come in handy to save you the costs that come with extensive damages.
Fence
Tenants want to feel safe and protected at all times, and a poorly maintained fence may not assure them of a safe environment. Although it is not urgent issues, working on a broken fence is a sure way to keep residents free from worrying about cases of burglary. Engaging a local fence company can help to get the fence looking well-maintained.
Blinds
When purchasing blinds for your new rental property, make sure to keep a record of what you purchased and the shop you purchased them from. If something happens, say the blinds break off or just get stuck, you have a receipt that will help you get a replacement or a refund. Don't take chances, no matter how unlikely this may seem to you.
Sliding closet doors
It is a common occurrence for sliding closet doors to get stuck. You can check out the problem yourself since it might be something you can easily correct. However, if the problem seems rather technical, a technician can look at the issue to advise on the best solution thereof.
Sprinkler
A malfunctioning sprinkler is one problem that can lead to an increased water bill. As a solution, avoid using it until you have found a way to remedy it. If the problem is beyond your technical expertise, you can always reach out to someone who is able to solve the problem accordingly.
Summary
As a new landlord, you can be sure to come across most of these problems as you go about managing your property. And considering how hectic and time-consuming it can be, it is only wise that you hire a property manager to do the heavy lifting.
Fortunately, Century 21 Americana Property Management is here to make property management seamless for you. Reach out to us to get the best services and to let us handle everything for you.
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