Commonly Overlooked Rental Property Issues
Commonly overlooked repairs on your rentals can potentially cause legal issues if you don’t handle them promptly. Your lease should spell out how you are notified of any problems.2 An open line of communications with your tenant, can save you hundreds of dollars.1,2 The Property Manager can help you offset future problems.
Plumbing
One of the most commonly missed repairs landlords encounter in a rental property is plumbing.1,3 A drip in or below the kitchen or bathroom sink can dramatically change your next water bill or cause damage.1
Garbage Disposals
Garbage Disposals often aren’t used properly, many times because tenants just aren’t informed about items that don’t belong in the disposal. Let them know in advance of item that should go in the garbage instead.6
If your property’s water heater isn’t working, you may need to replace the system, or it may be an easy fix like relighting the pilot light or replacing a heating element.3
Water Pipes and Leaks
Water leaks are among the most common issues that landlords encounter — roof damage, failed weather stripping, missing guttering systems, pipe issues, or a forgetful resident who left a faucet running.3
Being proactive can help reduce some of these problems. Consider installing water sensors that can help detect leaks early.3
Frozen Pipes
Frozen Pipes can cause significant and costly damage to your home.7 Insulate and keep your home warmer, and at a more consistent temperature. Close the main shutoff valve before temperatures go above freezing. Open all faucets including the ones outside to help drain the water from pipes. Slowly turn the water back on to inspect for leaks. Don’t forget to inspect crawl spaces and attics as well as outdoor faucets or anywhere pipes run on the exterior.6,7
Clogged Toilets
Baby wipes, paper towels, etc. are all items that can wreak havoc on your toilets, pipes, and septic. It’s important to let your tenants know to not flush these.6 Clogged toilets are generally the responsibility of the tenant, but not all clogged toilets are the tenant’s fault. If your tenant has it repaired and the problem comes back, there could be a bigger issue you need to address.1
Appliances in Rentals
Rental appliances only last so long, so inspect those for excessive lint in the dryer, refrigerator/freezer issues, food in the dishwasher — relatively easy fixes but other times you might need to do more.1
Pests or Rodents
Even if you maintain your house perfectly, no house is immune to unwanted visitors. Sometimes it can be fixed with a few traps, but squirrels or mice can do damage to wires, pipes, and other things you don’t see. If the first time doesn’t fix the problem, a quick call to an exterminator is in order. 1
Furnace or Heating
The minute your furnace or heat pump stops working, winter or not, it can be a major issue for your budget. Having your furnace or AC/heat pump serviced every year will extend their life by years.1,3,5 It’s necessary to have someone you can rely on to be there quickly — heat is usually a part of your warranty of habitability.3,5
Electrical Work and Smoke Detectors
Electrical safety involving outlets, plugs, and extension cords is one of the most important home safety issues.8 You should consider upgrading to new or GFCI outlets in the correct areas.
Only one high wattage or heat-producing appliance (toaster or coffee maker) should be plugged into a receptacle at a time.8,9,10
Be aware of some of these warning signs.
- Warm-to-the-touch wall outlets or switches.
- Fuses that regularly blow or circuits that often trip.
- Appliances that smell rubbery or as if they are burning.
- Lights that dim, flicker, are unusually bright, or have bulbs that regularly burn out prematurely.
- Appliances that spark.8
Fully functioning smoke detectors should be near kitchens, bedrooms, hallways, and on all stories of your rental.3
Test batteries monthly and replace smoke detectors every ten years. Ask tenants to let you know when your detector is chirping, so the batteries can be replaced immediately.3,4
Summary
Expect issues to pop up from time to time so a reserve fund is helpful. Consider our ‘Important Tips for New Landlords‘ blog. Maintaining the condition of your investment helps reduce your operating costs over time.1 The Property Manager wants to help you professionally manage and advise you on protecting your rentals. We’ve been established here in Durango, Colorado for almost 35 years. Give us a call to set up a time to talk, (970) 259-0222 or you can also send an email to rentalinfo@rentdurango.com.
Footnotes:
1 – https://www.fortunebuilders.com/are-you-ready-for-the-most-common-rental-property-issues/
4 – https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Safety-equipment/Smoke-alarms
5 – https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/renters-rights-book/chapter7-2.html
7 – https://www.travelers.com/resources/home/maintenance/how-to-prevent-frozen-pipes
8 – https://www.travelers.com/resources/home/fire-safety/electrical-safety-in-the-home
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