Rental property maintenance is essential for protecting your investment and ensuring a successful rental business in Houston. It prevents costly repairs, ensures a safe living environment, and maintains consistent rental income.
Neglecting maintenance can lead to tenant dissatisfaction, which risks tenant safety, higher turnover rates, diminution of property value, and legal issues. Abandoning your responsibilities as a property owner contributes to a domino effect of drawbacks in the near future.
Whether you own one Houston rental property or multiple, it’s necessary to consult experts who can help your investment property. By consulting property management companies, they can help you identify maintenance issues and apply local laws to prevent fines and possible lawsuits.
To help you get started, our Residential Leasing & Management Co. team has created this maintenance checklist for Houston properties.
What Composes a Rental Property Maintenance Checklist?
Routine Check of the HVAC System
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system is one of the most important aspects of your rental property. It helps regulate the temperature and humidity of the environment, which is necessary for the safety and comfort of your tenants.
The AC units must be cleaned, and air filters must be changed to eliminate dust particles and impurities. Especially in Houston, where summers are too hot and winters are too cold, it’s crucial to have the heating and cooling systems work at all times.
Water Heater Inspection
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, heating equipment, including water heaters, caused over 34,000 house fires in the U.S. in 2022. A faulty pressure relief valve is a fire hazard that can cause intensive property damage and even death.
It’s important to have a professional inspect the property’s water heater regularly to ensure that everything is working correctly and to replace parts if necessary.
Smoke Alarm Test
It is crucial to conduct smoke alarm tests every month. During these checks, replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and verify their functionality. Smoke and carbon monoxide can cause indoor air quality issues and pose poisoning risks.
When you hear a “chirping” sound, it’s usually an indicator that the batteries need to be changed. Additionally, the expiry date of fire extinguishers must be checked. Make sure that the extinguisher is still full and that the pressure indicator or gauge is in the operable range.
Inspect Roof Conditions
Roof inspection is essential preventative maintenance in rental units. If gutters clog, the collected water can be a breeding ground for insects and cause mosquito infestation. Clean gutters prevent a series of potential damages.
Water overflow can also damage the home’s siding, insulation, drywall, and even the whole foundation. This seasonal maintenance task can help prevent costly repairs and ensure a safe living environment.
Mechanical Systems Inspection
Mechanical systems, such as plumbing and electrical systems, require regular maintenance to prevent costly repairs. Landlords are responsible for ensuring these systems are in good working order.
Repair requests may be sent to the property manager so they can find a professional to fix the damage. This could help prevent major appliances from malfunctioning.
Inspection of the Property’s Foundation
Owners are responsible for ensuring the structural integrity of the property, including the roof, attic, and walls. This should be part of your regular maintenance expenses, and it’s tax-deductible! These preventative measures can help ensure the total property value and, especially, the safety of the tenants.
Emergency Maintenance Procedures
Emergency maintenance procedures, such as responding to burst pipes, electrical failures, or natural disasters, should be established. Inspections should be scheduled regularly, including before and after tenant move-in to help mitigate these emergencies.
Addressing repairs in a timely manner is essential for preventing costly repairs and ensuring a safe living environment, especially in emergency situations.
Hiring a Property Manager for Rental Property Maintenance
Maintenance costs may vary according to location, type of property, and number of maintenance requests. It’s important to have a trusted professional who is transparent about operating expenses and the maintenance process.
Here are the benefits of hiring a property manager:
Protecting Your Investment
Routine maintenance helps preserve and increase the value of your rental property over time. A property manager will help you establish a system with your tenants for their issues and requests. He can have an experienced worker check the problem promptly.
Ignoring routine repairs or necessary updates can lead to bigger, more expensive issues. Simple tasks like regular inspections, minor repairs, and seasonal maintenance can prevent property deterioration. While rental maintenance may increase expenses, it can also help you save money in the long run.
Tenant Retention and Satisfaction
A well-maintained property directly impacts tenant retention and satisfaction. Nowadays, it can be hard to find worthy renters who will take care of your property as if it were theirs. Tenants want a safe, comfortable place to live, and regular upkeep shows that you care not only for your property but also for their well-being.
Happy tenants are more likely to renew their leases, leading to fewer vacancies and reduced costs. In unfortunate cases, a property manager can help you deal with uncooperative tenants. They can also keep track of the maintenance issues addressed and actions taken in case of recurring damages.
Legal Responsibilities
As part of the landlord’s responsibilities, there is a legal obligation to keep your property in a habitable condition. Most states have laws requiring landlords to maintain specific property standards.
A property manager can help you meet all of your legal obligations to both the property and the tenant. Failure to meet the standards can result in fines or lawsuits.
Keeping Receipts and Documenting Repairs
Keeping receipts and documenting repairs is essential for tracking maintenance expenses and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Regular record-keeping can help prevent disputes and ensure a positive landlord-tenant relationship.
A professional property manager may also hold an escrow account on behalf of the owner, help in tenant turnover, and ensure a fair rental property income.
Improve Your Houston Rental Operations Today!
Regular rental property maintenance is essential for ensuring a successful rental business and preventing costly repairs. As a landlord, it’s a must to understand your legal obligations and ensure a positive landlord-tenant relationship. That’s where Residential Leasing Management Co. can help.
Hiring our property management team to handle rental property maintenance can help ease your burdens so you can focus on other business opportunities. Free yourself today from being a full-time landlord by hiring Residential Leasing & Management Co. Contact us for a free consultation.
