While leasing out your property, the condition you present it in is often the final deciding factor for the prospective tenant. A complete and fully maintained home will make your property listing a market favourite.
Home maintenance can feel like a daunting chore, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Keep on top of the small things, and your house will run like a well-oiled machine. We’ve devised a ‘Property Maintenance Checklist’ to help you get started.
Monthly:
- Check for leaks: Checking for leaks is important and should be done regularly. If there are water leakages in your property, you will end up paying more unnecessarily.
- Inspect your fire extinguishers: Nobody wants to have to deal with fire damage to their property, therefore you must ensure your fire extinguishers are easily accessible in the unfortunate case of a fire. Make sure there isn’t anything blocking the extinguisher and that it shows no sign of wear and tear or damages.
Quarterly:
- Test the smoke and the carbon dioxide monitors: One must do this to ensure the batteries are still functional and that the battery terminal hasn’t experienced corrosion.
- Flush toilets and run taps in unused spaces: This may seem counterproductive and a waste of water, but by using these pipes it prevents grime or unwanted build ups from occurring.
- Check electrical panels: By checking the main electrical panels, you will be assessing the moisture penetration of the panel. By looking for water marks or rust you can prevent further water damage and or electrical issues.
Biannually:
- Get your air conditioning systems checked: Make sure they are clean, and that the filters are replaced. Test them to see if they are working optimally.
- Check for electrical line interference: Ensure trees and hedges are trimmed right back to prevent shortages on the electric fences.
- Assess the property’s paint job: Inspect the house and see if there is any chipping paint, holes or cracks. If something is found, get it seen to as soon as possible.
Annually:
As a landlord, each year you should see what refurbishes and upgrades your property needs to make it more desirable for tenants. This may be a new coat of paint, or a change in bathroom design.
Speak to your current tenants and see what they suggest needs to be done. It is in your best interest to keep your investment up to date and therefore occupied.