How Preventive Maintenance Can Help You Avoid Major Repair Costs for Your Rental Investment | Los Angeles Property Management
One of the best ways to protect the condition of your investment property and keep your repair costs down is with preventative maintenance. When you work with a Los Angeles property management team that pays attention to these preventative details, you’ll find that there are fewer emergency expenses and unexpected repairs.
Routine Property Inspections are Needed
It’s a good idea to go through your property every six months to check for any deferred or unreported maintenance. Let tenants know that this is a maintenance walk-through, and use it to look for leaks, electrical problems, and anything that may need to be replaced or repaired. Not only does this prevent your repair bills from getting out of control, but it also allows you to ensure your tenants are following the terms of their lease agreements.
Cleaning Out Rain Gutters
Rain gutters should be cleaned and cleared at least once a year. This is important because while it may be dry in the Los Angeles region for half of the year, when it does rain it’s usually an intense downpour that lasts for a few days. This can lead to clogged gutters, which may cause issues with your roof and the interior of your property. It can even lead to mold issues. So, take care of preventative maintenance items like cleaning out your gutters and checking the condition of your roof every year. It saves you from more costly repairs, and will also prevent lost rental income.
Flush Water Heaters
A good preventative step is to flush the water heater in your property every year. This will help you get rid of mineral deposits, and it also prolongs the life of your water heater. You might have to pay a technician to do this, but it will save you money in the long run by extending the life of your water heater and avoiding unexpected leaks and bursts.
Servicing your Heating and Cooling Systems
Most tenants in Los Angeles will use both the air conditioner and the heater in their homes. This means your rental property’s heating and cooling system will be in demand all year long.
The HVAC is one of the most expensive systems in your home, so you want to make sure it’s running as efficiently and effectively as it can. Preventative maintenance is going to help keep your repair costs down. Have a technician come out to your property twice a year, between each season, to inspect and clean the HVAC. This will ensure that any problems are detected early. You’ll know your tenants are unlikely to complain about their air conditioning not working in the middle of July.
Clean Out Refrigerator and Dryer Coils and Vents
If you provide a refrigerator for your tenants, you’re responsible for maintaining it. Check the coils on the back of this expensive appliance. Have the coils cleaned so your fridge continues to function properly. This is typically easy to overlook, but if you have someone get back there with a vacuum to clean those coils out, you’ll have that refrigerator for much longer. The tenant will also appreciate the energy efficiency and the lower electric bill.
Don’t forget the dryer vents. Cleaning out all of the lint with a vacuum or a brush will prevent fires and breakdowns. Most maintenance or management companies will have special equipment that can be used to really get the job done. When you effectively clean out the vent leading to the outside of your home, you’ll prevent the lint build-up, which is highly combustible and flammable. You’re prolonging the life of your dryer and protecting your rental income.
Preventative maintenance leads to better investment returns. If you have any questions about protecting your rental home with Los Angeles property management, contact us at MGMT Group, Inc.