6 Most Common Repairs in Rental Properties

Home repairs come inevitably with owning a house, especially if you are renting it out. Regular maintenance is not just about avoiding costly repairs but ensuring a pleasant living environment for tenants. The great majority of issues are minor and require little in the way of correction if attended on time.

Even some rental maintenance issues often can’t be anticipated or avoided, each landlord or property manager will need to tailor a regular maintenance schedule based on each property. Here are some of the most common problems found in rental properties during an inspection.

1. SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Missing, disabled or improperly installed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are the number one problem noted on most compliance orders, not to mention a major safety hazard!

It is important to inspect and change the batteries once a year. Carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every 5 years and smoke detectors every 10 years.

2. DRAINAGE ISSUES

Clogged drains are a headache for many homeowners. Clogged kitchen sinks, leaky faucets, low water pressure in the shower, leaking pipes, clogged toilet bowl and toilet running continuously are among the most common but also easiest to repair drainage issues.

Garbage disposals will usually last around 10 to 12 years when used properly, after that, blades will get extremely dull, and it will not be able to break down the food which could cause clogs further down the pipe.

3. APPLIANCES

All mechanical systems have wear and tear. It will inevitably eventually occur to all the appliances in your property as a result of normal wear or aging. If an appliance is more than 50% through its lifespan, and if the cost of one repair is more than 50% of the cost of buying new, then you should replace rather than repair.

According to Consumer Reports, the most reported problems with kitchen and laundry appliances are water and ice dispensers in refrigerators, ovens and/or burners not heating up effectively in ranges, dishwashers not cleaning or drying properly, buttons on microwaves not working, appearance of mold in washers and dryers not drying clothes like they should.

4. HVAC SYSTEMS

Parts of an HVAC system are designed to have an expected lifespan of 10 years. If your system is over 10 years old, it might be time to replace it. 

Preventative maintenance is recommended at least once a year. You should have your unit serviced by a good HVAC technician to prevent damages that could result in you needing to replace the unit. Usually, maintenance and minor repairs will keep your systems running smoothly and help prolong their lifespan.

5. WATER HEATERS

Issues with electric water heaters are usually caused by a failed heating element that is inexpensive to repair or replace. 

Common problems found with water heaters may be due to improper settings, high water pressure, improperly installed TPR valve discharge pipe or a lack of tank maintenance. 

6. INSECT INFESTATIONS

Pests are a common occurrence. If bugs have started moving to your rental property, you should know that keeping rental properties in livable condition, free of pest infestations, is responsibility of landlords and property managers. 

Under Florida law, landlords have the legal responsibility to keep the property free of pests, unless agreed otherwise. It is recommended to schedule monthly pest control treatments to keep your property bug-free. If you are a tenant, you should let the property manager or landlord know as soon as you realize there is a problem to prevent it from getting worse. 

Keep in mind property inspections are very important to make sure your property is always in good condition and by doing it regularly you will also have the chance to correct any defects or hazards in time. At Pristine Property Management, we conduct inspections and ensure all maintenance issues are addressed in a timely manner.