The older I get, the more I realize that the little quirky phrases and clichés my parents and grandparents told me are true words of wisdom. You probably heard them too. For instance: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today”; “A penny saved is a penny earned”; “Better late than never”, etc.
While my high school English teacher would not approve of these lines, they really are helpful. As rental property owners and operators, our cliché to live by should be: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”!
Preventative maintenance truly saves time and money—two resources that all independent rental owners disparately need. At our October AATC IRO meeting, we discussed the importance of preventative maintenance and preventative maintenance best practices.
Below is a list of the things we discussed. It is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good place to start.
- Roofs – inspect annually
- Attic
- Check insulation
- Check ventilation
- Windows
- Check caulking around windows
- Check screens for holes
- Check for leaks
- Exterior faucets
- Check for leaks
- Be sure there is insulation around the faucets
- Install freeze prevention covers during the winter
- Concrete
- Check driveways, garages, patios, and walkways for cracks
- Immediately seal and repair any cracks
- Exterior light fixtures
- Replace light bulbs
- Replace light bulbs
- Security systems
- Test annually
- Test annually
- Garage doors
- Put a little WD 40 on tracks
- Make sure remote controls work
- Fences & Gates
- Inspect and repair any damage
- Inspect and repair any damage
- Smoke Alarms
- Replace batteries twice per year
- Replace batteries twice per year
- HVAC
- Replace filters every 3 months
- Clean exterior coils
- Check for freon leaks
- Clean ducts annually
- Sprinkler Systems
- Inspect lawn sprinklers for leaks
- Inspect lawn sprinklers for leaks
- Toilets
- Replace flaps annually
- Replace flaps annually
- Chimneys
- Clean annually
- Clean annually
- Landscaping
- Replace dead shrubs
- Replace dead shrubs
- Inspect exterior for brick and paint deterioration
- Pools
- Check for leaks
- Check for leaks
- Pest control
- Annual or upon tenant turn-over
Be sure to make a schedule and add items to your list as needed. Though not necessary, some owners may want to hire a professional property inspector to look at their assets. It cost a little money, but a second set of eyes can help you catch problems before they arise.
The bottom line on preventative maintenance: Just Do It!
Bryan Downer, Community Enrichment Center, is the AATC Independent Rental Owners Chair. For more information, contact Perry Pillow at ppillow@aatcnet.org