Jacksonville Property Management Blog

Rental property maintenance will be required on your investment home even if it’s new and in excellent condition when you buy it. To keep costs from growing out of control, you need to stay on top of preventative maintenance so that small problems don’t become gigantic issues with never-ending price tags. Reign in your maintenance budget with these tips.

Start with a Clean, Functioning Property

When you hand the keys over to your tenant, make sure you are providing a home that is clean, well-cared for, and functional. You should always conduct a move-in inspection prior to the tenant taking occupancy, and while you’re doing that inspection you can check to make sure that everything works. Show the tenants how to change the air filters, reset the garbage disposal, and turn off the water supply. Providing a home that’s in excellent condition will set the standard for how you expect the property to be returned.

Respond Immediately to Repair Requests

When you receive a request from your tenants for maintenance work, respond immediately. It might sound like an issue that isn’t too serious, but you still want to get over to the property to have a look. Not only will this responsiveness keep your tenants happy, it will also provide you with an opportunity to check the property. A dripping faucet or a toilet that won’t flush will allow you to check for leaks throughout the house, for example. Make sure your tenants know how to make a repair request, and encourage them to share any concerns with you promptly.

Schedule Regular Inspections and Service

In Florida, the air conditioning system in your home will run almost all year long. It’s important to have that cooling system serviced and inspected annually by an HVAC professional. Have your roof and gutters cleaned and checked annually, especially before hurricane season. Put together a schedule of preventative maintenance items and stick to it. These might seem like rental property costs that you don’t need, but spending a couple hundred dollars is better than having something malfunction. If you have to replace your air conditioning system, you’ll be spending thousands.

Keep your maintenance costs low by taking care of minor problems and inspecting your home whenever possible. Having good tenants in place will also help you with caring for the property, so think about your preventative maintenance plans when you’re screening as well. If you have any questions about repairs or Jacksonville property management, please contact us at Heth Realty.