Top Tips for Landlords to Stay on Top of General Maintenance and Avoid Large Expenditures

I think we often forget how many general maintenance tasks we carry out in the course of our normal everyday lives, often out of sight is out of mind.  As a landlord, maintaining your property is key not only to keeping tenants happy but also to protecting your investment. Small maintenance issues, if left unaddressed, can snowball into costly repairs down the line.  Regular upkeep and timely fixes can save you a significant amount of money and tenant angst.  Happy tenants breed Happy Landlords!

In this post, we'll walk you through some of the issues that we come across regularly, which we look out for on our regular inspections  - particularly focusing on those often-overlooked tasks so that you can avoid larger, expensive repairs in the future.

1. Inspect and Reseal Bathrooms Regularly

Water damage is one of the most common issues that arise from bathrooms. This is largely due to poor seals around sinks, baths, and showers. When seals degrade, water can leak into the surrounding structure, leading to mold, wood rot, or even redecoration being required below. Here's how to stay ahead of the problem:

• Inspect seals regularly: Check the caulking around bath, showers, sinks, and toilets every 6 months. Look for signs of cracks, peeling, or discolouration.

• Reseal when necessary: If you notice that the sealant has started to deteriorate, remove the old caulk and reapply a fresh layer. This is a relatively easy and inexpensive task, but it can save you thousands in water damage repairs.

2. Keep Gutters Clean and Clear

Clogged gutters are one of the leading causes of roof damage and water ingress in the home. Downpipes can get clogged with moss from rooves as well as leaves and debris. With all this rain we continue to have gutters then get backed up and water can overflow and seep into the walls, creating leaks, mold, and other water-related problems.

• Clean gutters biannually: At least twice a year, preferably in the spring and autumn (after the leaf fall inspect and clean out your gutters. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris that may block the flow of rainwater.

• Regularly check that downpipes are doing their job: Ensure that they are clear and are directing water away from the foundations of the building into the soakaways.

3. Regularly service Boilers and Water Heaters

Whilst we all remember to regularly undertake the Gas Safety Certificate, servicing is often overlooked.  Getting an annual boiler service means your engineer will be able to detect any problems before they escalate into a costly repair or replacement. A well-maintained boiler will operate more efficiently, helping to reduce the cost of energy used each month, keeping your tenant happy. 

4. Check for Leaks and Water Damage

Leaks can be tricky because they are often hidden. Water damage, however, can wreak havoc on both the structure of the building and your wallet.  More often than not if a leak is left, the damage left behind increases.  To prevent major issues:

• Check for visible leaks: Inspect plumbing fixtures and appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters for any visible leaks or signs of corrosion.

• Keep an eye on the ceiling: Water stains on ceilings may indicate leaks from above, often from bathrooms, the roof or neighbouring properties. Address the issue promptly to prevent further damage.

5. Maintain Hedges and the Exterior of a Property

Although it is usually the tenants’ responsibility to upkeep the garden – it is a good idea to factor in annual or biannual hedge trimming and powerwashing patios and driveways.  That way the boundaries don’t become too unruly and regular maintenance means they won’t grow out of control.

Trim trees and shrubs: Overgrown trees can scrape against the roof, clog gutters, and even damage the siding. Trim back any branches or plants that come into contact with the building.

6. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It’s essential for tenant safety to ensure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.  During the tenancy it is the tenants responsibility to test these regularly and replace the batteries where necessary.  It doesn’t however do any harm for peace of mind to test these devices when you are attending the property for other reasons.

• Replace the units periodically: Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors typically have a lifespan of 10 years some even come with a replacement date. Consider replacing them at the 10-year mark, even if they seem to be working fine.

Conclusion

Regular property maintenance is one of the most effective ways to protect your investment and ensure that your property stays in top shape for years to come, this is the reason regular property visits are vital to keeping your property in good tenantable repair, this will minimise void periods in between tenancies and increasing the length of tenancies.  At Bevan Residential we consider regular inspections a vital part of our full management service and although time consuming, can help a tenancy remain compliant.

Taking proactive steps today can save you a lot of headaches and expenses in the future. Remember, good maintenance practices are not just about preserving your property—they’re about preserving your investment, after all a happy tenant creates a happy landlord.

For more information about our full management service, please give us a call.