Most of us have heard the old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” But do you truly practice this philosophy in your day-to-day business? Successful landlords know it is far less expensive in the long run to spend a little money to maintain what they have than to repair or replace it when it breaks.
Preventive maintenance is the key to ensuring problems are addressed before they become emergencies and financial black holes.
A good time to begin an ongoing maintenance program is today. Abide by a policy that before new tenants move in to your unit you will 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. Use Savvy's "Move In Move Out Checklist" form as a guide. It has a long list of items to inspect in advance.
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 on the kitchen counters.
Bookmark this page and share it:
