The best way to reduce maintenance costs and attract and maintain good tenants is to keep your rental property in good condition.
Security
You can improve the safety of your tenants and your rental property in a number of ways.
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Door hardware – Install functional deadbolts on all doors, and ensure they close securely. A hollow-core exterior door is not recommended, and long screws should be used to secure the deadbolt plate.
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Keys – At every turnover, rekey the unit to protect your renters and avoid liability if a previous tenant re-enters. The majority of our deadbolts are keypad entry deadbolts, which are easy to re-program.
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Windows – All windows should be securely latched. If you leave your sliding windows and patio doors unlocked, use adjustable stops or wood dowels to limit how far they can open.
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Lights, alarms, and cameras – Increase your property’s security with cameras, lights, and alarms.
Pest Control
When it comes to pest control, it’s best to hire a professional. If you decide to handle everything yourself, we recommend taking the following steps:
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Ensure entry points are covered or sealed with chew-resistant materials. Wire screens can be stuffed into smaller openings and spray foam can be used to fill the space.
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Make sure the poison is stored in a child- and animal-safe container outside the building. Rodents can be trapped with bait boxes, and insects and ants can be trapped with bait traps (such as gel products).
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Interior bait – Ants and insects can be controlled by using traps and sprays applied along baseboards. You may end up with smelly dead critters in your building if you use this method for rodents.
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Using specialized heaters to treat belongings, furniture, or even rooms can kill bed bugs and fleas. Often, however, we need the help of a professional. Dogs are often used to locate bed bugs!
Exterior
The following are some leak prevention and routine rental maintenance checklist measures to keep the exterior of your rental property in good shape:
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Roof – Keep an eye out for moss growth, loose flashing, and broken shingles. Professionals are better at spotting separating seams and other signs of wear and tear on roofs.
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Gutters – Make sure your gutters and downspouts are cleaned every fall to avoid flooding due to backups.
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Maintain any chimney to prevent leaks. Replace mortar before bricks come loose and fall from old masonry chimneys.
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Window and door sealant – Check caulking joints annually for cracks or separations from the surfaces they seal, and replace them if necessary.
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Paint – Keep exterior surfaces from deteriorating in the weather by replacing paint before it bubbles and flakes.
