According to Hippo's 2022 Housepower Report, homeowners spend as much as $6,000 on home repairs and maintenance annually.
As a property owner, you can reduce these costs considerably by conducting routine tasks on time. Yet, as a busy investment property owner, it's often difficult to stay on track with your maintenance schedule.
Keep reading to discover why hiring a team to take care of your residential property management in San Francisco Bay is a great choice for landlords.
Why Is Routine Maintenance Important?
Attending to seasonal and other maintenance helps reduce the likelihood of expensive and unnecessary repairs. Well-maintained fixtures are less likely to break down.
Well-maintained properties attract better tenants and command higher rentals, too. Nobody wants to stay in a home where the HVAC is failing or the roof leaks.
In some states, tenants can withhold rent payments if the landlord doesn't maintain the property in acceptable condition. Under California law, landlords must make any reasonable repairs requested by their tenants.
A well-executed maintenance schedule ensures a long and happy relationship with your tenants.
What Is Involved in Routine Maintenance?
Property inspections are the first step toward keeping your property in good shape. These visits can reveal unexpected issues with your home and prompt necessary repairs.
There are a few things you should focus on if you want to keep your house in great shape. These are the priority items for all landlords.
Wear and Tear
These small, routine tasks involve things like landscaping and trash removal. Some of these aspects, like changing the batteries in carbon monoxide detectors, are often the tenant's responsibility.
Make sure your lease agreement stipulates any tenant maintenance responsibilities.
Mechanical Systems
These items require routine maintenance as well as occasional repairs. They include:
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Electrical
- Gas appliances
Keeping these items in good working order can prevent avoidable repairs and replacements.
Seasonal Maintenance Issues
Seasonal tasks include snow removal, cleaning gutters, and pruning trees.
Hiring a lawn care service can help prevent infestations of fleas, ticks, and rodents. If the tenant doesn't want to undertake this task, it's in the landlord's interest to arrange for lawn care.
Structural Issues
Every landlord must ensure their building is structurally sound. You must keep the following things in good and safe condition:
- Roofing
- Walls
- Sidewalls
- Driveways
- Attics
Painting and Flooring
Most landlords opt to upgrade these items when one tenant leaves, as sprucing up their property is a good way to attract reliable tenants. Sometimes it's the only choice when a tenant has left the home in poor condition.
Flooring undergoes a lot of wear and tear over the years, and you should consider replacing it every few years for the best results.
Expert Residential Property Management in San Francisco Bay
Hiring a property manager is the best way to enjoy effortless maintenance coordination for your rental property.
Property managers will keep tabs on seasonal repairs. They'll also conduct routine maintenance to ensure your property stays in the best possible condition.
Additional property management services include tenant screening, property inspections, and rent collection. So, when you hire a property management service, you enjoy all the benefits of being a landlord without the hassle.
We offer comprehensive residential property management in San Francisco Bay. Get in touch today to discuss your needs.