5 Property Maintenance Tips for Landlords
As a landlord, maintaining your property will help your property retain its value and reduce the number of repairs you will need to carry out. In some cases, it can keep you on the right side of the law. Your tenants are by law entitled to a safe and habitable living environment. Having a pro-active approach to property maintenance helps with this.
Below we’ve created a list of tips for landlords:
1. Carry out maintenance
Everyone wants to save money, however carrying out ongoing maintenance for your property and carrying out small repairs, will save more costly repairs in the long run. It’s simple. Problems with a property don’t tend to get better over time, they usually get worse and need more work. They can go on to cause more problems and as a result, cost more money to repair in both parts and labour.
2. Ask questions
When finding tradespeople to work with, don't be afraid of asking questions. They should be happy to talk the process through with you. Ask what is included and let them explain the work that is required. Keep in mind, the cheapest quote is not always the best! Ensure no corners are being cut and all work is carried out by professionals.
3. Regularly service appliances
When it comes to servicing appliances, things like the fridge, cooker, and boiler should be serviced regularly. Follow the manufacturer’s guide for the correct service schedule.
4. Carry out repairs quickly
Sometimes things can go wrong. Repairs should be carried out as soon as possible when a problem occurs. This will reduce the risk of further damage which could be fatal. Ensure work such as boiler repairs are carried out by engineers that are Gas Safe Registered.
5. Carry out inspections
As a landlord, you will need to regularly inspect your property. Tenants will not always pay attention to things going wrong and may overlook it. Also, they may not have an understanding of basic property maintenance and often problems will be made worse. A house inspection report, electrical check, and gas safety check will give a great insight into your property and ensure you are always on the right side of the law.