As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to maintain your tenants’ homes. Although you may want to leave them to their own devices, you should avoid taking an absent approach. Because your tenants pay you to live there, you should show them you care by putting your attention toward their needs. Otherwise, they may get fed up with waiting for you to fix things around their home. Knowing the things landlords should check for regularly can help you stay up to date on inspections and repairs.
Check for Roof Damage
Roofs are generally pretty durable, but you should get up there to check for damage regularly. Whether there’s an active leak or missing and damaged shingles, you should repair roof damage as soon as possible. By staying on top of this, you can avoid more expensive problems in the future.
Fire and Safety Hazards
Even though your tenants may create fire and safety hazards, you should address them often. Exits and fire escapes should be clear of furniture, debris, and other clutter. Therefore, you should encourage your tenants to avoid blocking these exits.
Additionally, you should ensure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning for the health and safety of everyone involved. Unfortunately, other hazards like radon are undetectable, and you should consider testing all buildings and structures. Understanding what factors can impact radon test results is vital for maintaining overall safety.
HVAC System Function
The HVAC system is incredibly important for heating and cooling, which is a huge deal breaker for many renters. Regular maintenance is crucial for proper function, and you should avoid letting it go too long without an inspection or replacing the filters. Without regular maintenance, your HVAC system may cost you much more than you’d like to dish out to replace or repair it.
Pest Infestations
Whether they’re bed bugs, termites, or something else, pests lingering around your property are the last things you want. If you have complaints of an infestation, you shouldn’t ignore them. Also, you should check for them once each month. Pest infestations can diminish your tenants’ quality of life, and you may have to hire an exterminator as soon as possible.
Understanding the things landlords should check for regularly can help you become the best property owner possible. Rather than making it difficult for your tenants to get a hold of you when something goes wrong, you can resolve or even circumvent problems without them having to ask.
