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Maintenance Tips for Landlords

Whether you rent out one single-family home or you own multiple investment properties, maintenance is one of the most important services you can offer to keep your tenants happy. After all, most residents expect maintenance to be included in their monthly rent. Plus, routine building care can help you catch small problems before they grow into a significant expense—saving you time, money, and hassle in the long run.

The professionals at Coakley Realty provide building maintenance and renovation services to property owners in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC areas. Of course, this is just one of the many property management services we offer. If you need help with marketing, finding tenants, collecting rent, handling evictions, and more—hiring a property manager is the right choice for you.

To learn more about our property maintenance and management services, please contact Coakley Realty online or call 301-340-8700 today! In the meantime, consider these maintenance tips for landlords.

Check for Water Damage & Leaks Often

Hidden leaks from loose pipes, deteriorating bathroom tiles, or damaged shingles can be incredibly detrimental. Structural damage and mold growth are grounds for vacating the building to perform repairs and mold remediation.

With a little preventative maintenance, you can catch leaks from old pipes and water heaters after a heavy rainstorm. Responding quickly to developing problems can prevent extensive damage from occurring.

Change the Batteries in Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Keeping these devices in proper working order could help you avoid legal action if a fire or carbon monoxide leak occurs in your building. But most importantly, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors save lives!

Don’t leave the responsibility of changing the batteries to your tenants. Instead, send a maintenance team out to complete this task once a year. Then, replace carbon monoxide detectors every five years and smoke alarms every ten.

Replace the HVAC Filter

Dirty filters don’t just increase your tenants’ utility bills—they can also lead to furnace and AC malfunctions and premature equipment breakdowns. Repair and replacement expenses rest on you, the landlord, so help prevent them with the simple task of replacing the HVAC filter for your tenants at least twice a year.

Maintain the Plumbing

When it comes to your properties’ plumbing, a little maintenance goes a long way. Once or twice a year, arrange to have your tenants’ sinks and bathtub drains cleared, and their water heaters flushed. These tasks help to prevent detrimental sewer backups and expensive water heater replacements.

Take Charge of Exterior Maintenance

Maintaining the landscape makes your property attractive to passersby and helps your tenants feel proud of where they live. Some exterior maintenance is also important for preventing damage to the building, especially when the temperatures turn cold. Remember to do the following at each property you manage every fall:

  • Blow out the sprinkler system to prevent frozen pipes.
  • Trim back branches that hang over the roof or touch the siding.
  • Clean the gutters to prevent roof, siding, and foundation damage.
  • Repair or replace damaged fences, retaining walls, sidewalks, and other exterior structures surrounding the building.

Property Management in MD, DC & VA

If you don’t want to handle property maintenance tasks yourself, Coakley Realty is the right property management company for the job. Our services benefit landlords and tenants alike, so you can trust that your investment in our company will pay off.

Let Coakley Realty help you make the most of your rental properties in MD, DC, or VA—contact us online or by phone at 301-340-8700 to take advantage of our building maintenance services today!