Northland rental properties in Kansas City or throughout Liberty, Parkville, and Gladstone are going to need routine and emergency maintenance services, even if they’re brand new and even if they’re in good condition. When you have tenants living in your property and using all of its systems and appliances, things are going to deteriorate over time.
The best way to avoid huge and unexpected repair costs is by prioritizing your preventative maintenance schedule.
With a good preventative maintenance plan in place, you will enjoy the peace of mind that your investment property is in good condition and your tenants are enjoying a safe and pleasant rental experience.
Here’s how preventative maintenance can be a money saver.
HVAC Systems Require Preventative Maintenance
The weather is pretty seasonal in Kansas City, and your tenants will use the heat in the winter and the air conditioning in the summer. If you want to avoid expensive repair calls during these seasonal transitions, make sure your heating and cooling systems are working well.
The HVAC is one of the most expensive systems in your rental home, so you want to make sure it’s running as efficiently and effectively as it can. Preventative maintenance is going to help keep your repair costs down. You don’t want your tenants calling on a 100-degree day in August to complain that the air conditioning isn’t working. Replacing a unit is likely going to cost more than $5,000 or $6,000.
Set up a service contract with a local HVAC company that can visit your rental property annually to inspect and clean the HVAC. This will ensure that any problems are detected early. Your tenants will remain comfortable and you’ll increase the life expectancy of your cooling system.
Remind tenants of their role in this preventative maintenance program. They need to change the air filters regularly. Make sure to include this is in your lease agreement.
Cleaning Out Rain Gutters in Kansas City Rental Homes
Rain gutters should be cleaned and cleared at least once a year. This is important because water intrusion is always going to be a major repair expense for rental property owners. If you don’t pay attention to the condition of your property’s exterior, you’ll find clogged gutters, which may cause issues with your roof and the interior of your property.
Water that gets into the walls or ceiling can also lead to mold issues. So, take care of preventative maintenance things like cleaning out your gutters and checking the condition of your roof every year. It saves you from more costly repairs, and will also prevent lost rental income.
Flush Water Heaters Annually
A good preventative step is to flush the water heater in your property every year. This will help you get rid of mineral deposits and avoid rust, which will prolong the life of your water heater. You might have to spend $100 to do this, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run by extending the life of your water heater and avoiding unexpected leaks and bursts.
Landscaping and Pest Control
Don’t forget the landscaping and the pest control around your Kansas City rental property. These are preventative maintenance issues, too. If bushes and shrubs are growing so tall that they impede your tenant’s view from the windows, there could be some security issues to worry about. You don’t want pests and insects to live rent-free in your property, either.
Routine inspections, service calls, and upkeep will prevent large and unexpected expenses when it comes to maintaining the outside of your property as well as the inside.
We specialize in protecting the condition of your investment. If you’d like some help with preventative maintenance, please contact us at Donley Carver Investment Properties.