The maintenance of your rental property is important for two main reasons – firstly, it protects the very fabric of your investment, the building itself. Secondly, it helps keep your tenants happy and in place, and in the age of the Renters’ Rights Act, that’s going to become even more important.
But how do you ensure your maintenance is up to scratch?
Ensure regular inspections
Previously, with fixed tenancies, landlords usually had a fixed schedule of when they would inspect their properties. With tenancies now rolling and tenants likely to stay longer as a result, it could be easy to get complacent about inspections and let timetables slip. Yet they remain a vital component of maintaining your property and should be completed at least every six months to a year to help identify existing or potential problems before they become more damaging and costly issues.
Have a schedule of maintenance tasks
Many jobs will be the same year in, year out. Gutters will need clearing before the winter freeze sets in and roofs need inspecting after seasonal storms. Exterior painting and fence fixing help get properties summer-ready. Similarly, boiler servicing and safety checks must also be on a regular schedule for both maintenance and compliance reasons.
Budget for maintenance
Creating a maintenance schedule also helps you plan and budget for preventative maintenance, which will be another way to keep tenants happy and in-situ. It could mean regular carpet cleaning, replacing items before tenants demand it or upgrading appliances that are becoming tired. In the case of essential items such as boilers this could win you brownie points with tenants who would otherwise be inconvenienced by a boiler failing completely.
Invest in quality, not cheap fixes
Durability is key in a rental property, whether there’s a high tenant turnover or not. Opting for cheap fixes is likely to cost in the long run. Instead, consider the durability of items, whether it’s the flooring in the lounge or the fixtures and appliances in the kitchen.
React quickly to issues
Outside of your inspections and preventative maintenance, other issues will inevitably arise. Having a clear and quick process for tenants to report issues will ensure they do so promptly, allowing you to organise repairs before the problem becomes more serious and preventing damage to your tenant and landlord relationship too.
Have a trusted network of contractors
Fast fixes will rely on having a trusted network of contractors to hand, something that becomes even vital in an emergency situation when you will want someone reliable quickly. Everyone from plumbers to roofers should be in your contacts, ready to call.
Anticipate further regulatory changes
The Renters’ Rights Act will also eventually see the introduction of the Decent Homes Standard to the PRS. This will place additional emphasis on the need for a hazard-free, comfortable living environment for tenants. Ensuring your property maintenance is top-notch before then will help you meet its obligations.
High quality maintenance is no-longer a nice-to-have. In the age of the Renters’ Right Act and a more powerful tenant it’s become a must-have.
We Can Help
At Progressive Lets, we are experts in the rental market in the Peterborough area and help landlords find and manage properties within a 50-mile radius. We are also an HMO specialist. Get in touch to find out more.
