Five annual maintenance tasks for rental owners

As one of the biggest financial assets you have, your investment property needs to be maintained in order to attract high calibre tenants and retain the value of the property.

And the reality is, even a new investment property requires ongoing preventative maintenance each year.

With that in mind here are five annual preventative maintenance suggestions for rental owners.

Roof checks and gutter cleans

Regardless of where your rental property is located, if it’s a free-standing house or semi-detached home, it’s worth having the gutters cleaned once a year and the roof checked for any leaks or damage.

Roofs are one of the most common sources of minor leaks, which can turn into major issues.

Meanwhile having your gutters cleaned lengthens their lifespan and prevents water backing up and entering the property.

Pest control

From spiders to ants and termites, Australia boasts a pretty lengthy list of pests that just love to call a property home.

While you may not require a pest spray each year, it is a good idea to have the property checked for pests, and that’s particularly important if you live in an area prone to termites, who can do a lot of damage if left unchecked.

Make sure you have a schedule for pest control, and the property is maintained in a way that deters any critters.

This includes ensuring any overhanging trees do not touch the house, and that there are no damp areas around the perimeter of the home.

Garden care

On that note, it’s also worth having the garden tended to by a professional once a year. 

They can cut back any overhanging trees, keep any hedges in shape, and just ensure the garden area looks neat, tidy and well-maintained.

Decks, concrete and pavers

If your property has outdoor areas that include decks, paving or concrete paths, it’s a good idea to have these water-blasted one a year to remove any mould, flaking paint, or discolouration.

This keeps the property looking fresh, and also helps avoid any slipping hazards.

Decks might also require an oil or fresh coat of paint every now and then to protect them against the elements and wear and tear.  

Smoke alarms and air conditioners

A smoke alarm is one of the most important safety features of your rental property, and it will require checking on a regular basis to ensure it works.

Depending on what state your property is located in, there may also be legislation on how frequently smoke alarms need to be professionally tested.

Meanwhile, air-conditioners and heating systems benefit from regular cleans and servicing to ensure they remain in good working order.

The importance of preventative maintenance

By regularly undertaking preventative maintenance on your rental property, you help avoid unnecessary (and expensive) emergency repairs.

In the meantime, you can rest assured your property remains in good condition, retains its value and is the type of place rental occupiers want to call home.

How we can help

Our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both rental occupiers and owners.

We manage every property as if it were our own and you can learn more about our property management services here.

Alternatively, if you are looking to rent a property, you can view the properties we currently have available here.