Preventive Maintenance Measures of Good Landlords

“An ounce of prevention.” We all know the adage, but experience is sometimes the best teacher. Seasoned landlords know it is far less expensive to maintain what they have than to repair or replace it.

Preventive maintenance is the key to ensuring problems are addressed before they become emergencies.

A good time to begin an ongoing maintenance program is before new tenants move into a unit. Before new tenants move in to your unit, conduct a thorough inspection. Check every faucet, shower head, smoke detector, electric outlet and light fixture to make sure that all are working as they should be. Develop a checklist of items in advance to use as a guide.

Another way to avoid unnecessary repairs is to educate new tenants on the mechanical workings of the rental unit. Show them how to test the smoke detector and the proper way to use the garbage disposal to avoid jams and breakdowns. This is also a good time to jointly note any pre-existing issues, such as stains in the carpet or scratches in the kitchen counter.