Being a landlord isn’t just collecting rent checks and sitting back. There is a lot of work involved in keeping a property up to date and in good shape. As much as we wish our tenants would treat their apartment like their own, they don’t, and that means that repairs are common in between tenancies. What are the most common types of repairs you will have to make, and how can you prepare for them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water Leaks<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether the water leak is under the sunk or around the windowsill, you will encounter this issue at some point. Water can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home now and in the future, so it’s essential always to take these repairs seriously and act on them promptly. Even small amounts of water can cause mold to grow, which is expensive to remediate if left unchecked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Smoke Detectors<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n All smoke detectors must always be in working order – especially in high traffic areas such as bedrooms and kitchens. Keep batteries in your tool kit when visiting your property to change batteries when needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Toilets<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n A more common problem than landlords wished – bathroom issues. Baby wipes, cleaning pads, cotton balls, paper towels, and much more get flushed down the toilet by tenants causing problems with the plumbing and septic if you have it. Always remind your tenants what is okay to flush and what is not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pests<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ants, roaches, rodents, and other creepy crawlers find their way into nearly every home. These critters can cause massive damage to your property. When you receive a complaint or request to remove pests take it seriously! Hire a professional to get the job done right the first time – it will end up saving you money in the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hot Water<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n When tenants lose their hot water, it’s likely a problem with the water heater. If a new water heater is needed, you’ll need a plumber to replace or repair it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Garbage Disposals<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Garbage disposals are convenient when they work but can quickly become a nuisance for landlords when they are not working. Tenants may drop items down disposals that don’t belong there, causing the disposal to malfunction. The best way to reduce the number of garbage disposal repairs is to remind your tenants how best to use them by leaving a best practices sheet when signing the lease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Preparation is critical when you are a landlord. Although there is no way to anticipate everything you will encounter, you can be prepared for the abovementioned problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you thinking of investing in your first rental property? Anthoney Hanks with Beyond 404 Realty in Forney is a local expert on investment properties and will be able to guide you through the process with ease. Check out our website at\u00a0www.beyond404realty.com<\/a>\u00a0for more information.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Being a landlord isn’t just collecting rent checks and sitting back. There is a lot of work involved in keeping a property up to date and in good shape. As much as we wish our tenants would treat their apartment like their own, they don’t, and that means that repairs are common in between tenancies. … <\/p>\n