Whether you hire professional contractors, do it yourself, or combine the two, managing the regular maintenance of a rental property is an important part of being a landlord. Additionally, if you are a property owner you must also make sure that the rental property is up to code and in great shape for tenants.

A good property maintenance plan starts with a signed lease. Make sure you outline what responsibilities you and the tenant/s have after the move in. Generally, tenants must take care of regular upkeep such as removing trash, changing light bulbs, and minor maintenance issues.

Landlords and property managers are responsible for major maintenance issues like heating, electrical, and plumbing. Furthermore, they must also take care of prepping a property for new tenants and fixing wear and tear issues. Property management software is a great tool for landlords. As a property owner, you should have emergency procedures in place, in the event tenants need to reach you.

If you are communicative and open with your tenants, they will be encouraged to be honest with you in return and will keep you informed about any problems that might arise. If you can communicate with them efficiently, you can avoid conflict and heated exchanges.

Bonus tip: Before your tenants move in, stock the place with things that will need to be replaced in the near future like air filters, light bulbs, or shower heads. These accessories are not expensive, but they show your tenants that you want to do right by them. Consequently, they will take better care of your property and maybe rent longer than they had previously planned. If there are carpets in the property, you should have them sanitised and professionally cleaned. If there were pets also, you might want to remove the carpets and replace them depending on their condition. Choosing the Property Maintenance Services Cheltenham is important there.

Document the condition of the property

Before new tenants move in, you should document the condition of the place. Take videos or photos and make a list of anything already damaged. By having photos of what everything looked like you will avoid disputes, and it also shows that you have no intentions of withholding the tenants’ security deposit.

Keep in mind that some wear and tear is part of renting a property and the tenants should never be held accountable for it, unless something has been seriously damaged. A broken drawer, an appliance that won’t work properly, or scratches on the floor are good examples of minor wear and tear issues that are inevitable. However, issues like holes in walls, broken windows, missing furniture items or appliances should be deducted from the tenant’s security deposit.

Ensure that tenants have a clear image of what condition you expect your property to be in after tenants move out, and remind them about their end of lease at least three months in advance.

About the Company: At CCS Property Maintenance in Cheltenham Gloucestershire our qualified and insured tradesmen provide an extensive range of maintenance services for both domestic and commercial properties.