For many Mill Valley rental property owners, the list of maintenance tasks your rental needs can seem overwhelming. Missing the occasional task won’t usually cause problems, but there are maintenance tasks that you have to do every year. Neglecting these maintenance tasks can not only lead to decreased tenant satisfaction but big repair bills down the road. By doing these ten maintenance tasks, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
1. Change Your Filters
Correctly and regularly change your furnace filters. Clogged filters are often the cause of poor indoor air quality. This also decreases the life of your rental property’s furnace.
2. Clean Your Dryer Vent
Clothes dryer vents are among the leading causes of residential fires in the U.S., so this is one maintenance task that should not be overlooked. A clogged dryer vent can not only be a fire hazard, though. It can also cause unwanted pests and mold problems.
3. Relight the Pilot Light
If your pilot light is usually turned off during warm months, you must relight it and check the system for proper functioning long before cold weather arrives. Tenants won’t be happy waiting in the cold for your furnace to be working again.
4. Drain Sediment From Your Water Heater
It is natural for sediment to collect at the bottom of every water heater. To extend the life of your rental property’s water heater and ensure that it is working properly, be sure to drain it once a year.
5. Look for Leaks
It sounds simple, and it is. Do an annual visual check of your property’s plumbing, fixtures, sprinklers, and so on. You should also have any signs of leaks or pooling of water checked immediately.
6. Change Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries
Replacing the batteries in your rental property’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is also an important annual task. Don’t wait for the unit to fail and start beeping, your tenant will appreciate not having to deal with a situation like that.
7. Lubricate Garage Door Springs
If your rental property has a garage, it is good practice to lubricate the springs and wheels of your garage door annually. A properly lubricated garage door will work well for many years, but a neglected door usually fails earlier than it should.
8. Give Your Appliances Some TLC
Your rental property’s appliances will last longer if you do basic annual maintenance on them. For example, a refrigerator will function in optimal condition longer if you vacuum the refrigerator coils and clean the seals around the doors.
9. Clean Window Weep Holes
You might have noticed that your vinyl windows have a weep hole on the exterior. This helps drain away water and condensation. But these holes can sometimes be clogged with dirt or insects. You can avoid condensation and moisture problems just by flushing your weep holes out once a year.
10. Check for Pests
Finally, if you are not yet doing so, check your property for signs of pest infestation. Termites can start as a small problem. If left unchecked, this can cause a lot of damage to your property and to your tenant’s belongings as well.
Property maintenance is an essential but time-consuming part of owning a rental property. Why not let the professionals handle it for you? Real Property Management SonoMarin offers a full range of property management and maintenance services provided by expert Mill Valley property managers, giving you total peace of mind that essential maintenance tasks are being done every year. Learn more by contacting us online or calling at 650-969-4800.
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