Rental property maintenance is time-consuming. There comes a time, when you do not have time to carry out maintenance yourself. If you have an expanding portfolio of property, a rental management team sourced by Bristol Builders Network could be the answer to your prayers. If you are a first time landlord and are not sure what you should be responsible for, then once again hiring the professionals will ensure you stay trouble-free. Below is a landlord’s checklist that you can carry out yourself. Alternatively, all of the below can be managed for you by a reputable property agent.
Rental Property Maintenance : How to Avoid Stress as a Landlord
Being a landlord can be stressful. If it was just an easy way to make money then more people would be doing it! As a landlord you need to carry out regular inspections and routine maintenance on your properties. Ignoring problems will mean bigger bills in the future and possible problems with tenants; both things you need to avoid. Below is a summary of areas that you are expected to keep maintained as a landlord.
Rental Property Maintenance : Legal Responsibilities of a Landlord
Before carrying out any inspection, you must give your tenants 24 hours’ notice. For emergencies such as flooding, you can enter with less notice. As a landlord you are responsible for:
Ensuring the exterior of the property is safe. This included roof tiles, guttering, and chimney stacks. Fire regulation must also be adhered to, and this includes the property as well as the furniture and fitting within it.
Electrical safety is of the utmost importance as a landlord. This means regular inspection of electrical circuits as well as ensuring you have annual gas inspections carried out by certified professionals. The home you are letting must also be free from health hazards, and it is your legal imperative to ensure you are satisfying your obligations as a landlord.
If you intend to carry out emergency repairs yourself, always have a toolkit handy. This should include a hammer, drill, screwdriver, nails, ladders, protective clothing and a roll of duct tape. You can either carry this equipment with you, or leave this tool kit at your properties, marking it off clearly on the inventory.
Rental Property Maintenance : Basic Inspections
If you choose to enlist the help of a property maintenance team, then all inspections will be carried out on your behalf. If you wish to carry out inspections yourself, start with the walls and doors. Check for damp, damage to paintwork, and faulty locks or hinges. Check carpets to ensure there is no staining due to leaks or damp. Check all switches and sockets in all the rooms of your property to make sure they are safe and that they have not been tampered with.
Radiators need to be checked to ensure they are working and are not leaking. This is something that will be included with an annual boiler inspection that must always be carried out by a certified technician. Check all kitchen appliances are functioning well, such as cookers, fridges, etc. In the bathroom, check for leaks and for dripping taps. Lastly, as a landlord you must provide smoke alarms in your properties. Check these are working correctly.