As a homeowner and a landlord, it is essential that your property is well maintained and fixed once they're broken. Rental property repairs may seem like a stressful and expensive task, but budgeting for maintenance and any repairs helps you have money set aside. Failure to budget and plan can cause you to be spending more money than necessary when the time comes for property repairs. And whatever stand you take on it, the repairs will be made.
The question of, “what needs to be repaired before renting a house” isn’t simple to answer since there may be a number of things that need to be repaired. However, we have created this list below for you to read when you need it most.
Here are some common things that can answer your question of, “what needs to be repaired before renting a house?”.
Repair All Appliances That Are Not Working
This is almost at the top list of all repairs as appliances have many movable parts that make breaking down reasonably easy. As a landlord, you can repair a new heating element or a burned-out light bulb, or you can engage the services of a qualified appliance repair specialist.
Unless it is damaged and in need of a replacement, the cost of fixing appliances falls between $50 and $100 per hour. Also, you can get used machines from appliance stores around you. The best bet would be to get a brand new one.
Avoiding replacement altogether is usually the best case scenario. In order to achieve this, you will want to take care of preventative maintenance on your appliances.
Water Leak Under Windows and in Ceilings
It's incredible how the same water that is required for human survival is deadly for rental properties. If left unchecked, water can destroy flooring, drywall, wood, and all other surfaces of your property. Whether in large quantities or small drops, water causes moisture, which causes the growth of mold.
If you are experiencing plumbing leaks you should hire a specialist or a plumber to check out the problem and fix it up immediately. Don't compromise on standards; get the best there is.
Water Leak Under the Kitchen or Bathroom Sink
This could be caused by the drainpipe not fitting the sink correctly or the supply line bring damaged or not fitting correctly. Both of these can be repaired with a little DIY or getting a plumber to do it.
Water Drip From Faucets
Water dripping from the bathroom faucet or sink can cost you thousands of dollars if you don't get it fixed immediately. You can do it yourself or call a plumber to change the entire faucet.
Rodents or Bugs
Rodents or bugs may not come to mind when thinking about what needs to be repaired before renting a house since these pests can come after renting as well. But it should definitely be under control before someone rents a home.
Pest control is one of the most unfavorable and annoying jobs to do as a landlord or homeowner as a dirty environment mostly causes pests. The most common pest you may come across with a dirty older home would be rats. Getting rid of rats will be extremely important since they can cause physical damage to your home. Bugs and rodents like crumbs, so if you have a clean environment, it won't be a problem.
Sometimes you can run into pests even if you keep your home clean. For example, fleas can come into your home whether it is clean or not. Preventing fleas can be quite simple. Start with taking your shoes off at the door or even brushing any animals outside before they come inside as well.
However, if you have a pest infestation, try getting a pest control specialist, like an exterminator, to deal with it. After that, make sure you seal up any holes so that the pests don't have access to your property.
A Running or Clogged Toilet
Either of these may turn out to be problems. Hence, they have to be repaired before renting a house. These problems can also be fixed easily under an hour or more. While a running toilet might not amount to much, a clogged toilet may cost you heavily. Ensure that they are repaired instantly and by a professional plumber.
Furnace Repairs
Heat is very important and should be taken into account. So, if you have a faulty furnace on your hands, repair it before winter sets in. Replacing and repairing furnaces is a repair that doesn't reoccur regularly.
There are numerous problems that you might encounter, but these are the common furnace problems. None of them are expensive to fix, but if left untreated, they may amount into costing you more than what you're bargaining for.
Why Should You Hire a Property Management Company?
If you've been an owner of a property that earns you income, then you'll know how much goes into managing a rental. It may cost you money, time, and energy, but it is a financially rewarding venture.
While you might have the notion of doing it yourself all the time, it might be a burden for you if you have more than one property that you own and rent out. That's where a property management company comes in.
They ensure that your properties are managed as well as help with any maintenance throughout the homes. Most of the time a property management company will have a rental property repair checklist to stay on top of things. This helps with knowing what needs to be repaired before renting a house especially if they have potential renters who are interested.