When you’re renting out a property in Eureka, you’re expected to maintain it. Not only is this an expectation that your tenants hold, it’s also a legal requirement. 

Putting together a maintenance plan may seem as simple as responding to the things that break when your tenant lets you know something has happened. But, it’s actually more complex than that. Professional property managers like to be prepared. We like to have a plan in place for every possible maintenance emergency or preventative check-up. 

Why? Because a well-maintained home attracts good tenants, earns higher rental values, and leads to a more profitable investment experience. If you are renting out a Eureka property, you need to be prepared for the maintenance needs of both your investment and your tenants. 

Providing a safe and habitable home is a legal requirement. And to establish and nurture positive tenant relationships, you should do more than the minimum that the law requires. If you want to preserve the condition of your asset and continue earning money on it, you’ll pay attention to preventative and routine maintenance in order to avoid expensive emergencies. 

Another important part of handling rental property maintenance is to work with the best vendors and contractors you can find. They should be licensed and insured. 

We’ve put together some suggestions on how to handle your maintenance responsibilities in a Eureka rental property the same way we do, as professionals. 

Save Money with Preventative Rental Property Maintenance 

You expect those routine repairs that will come in from time to time. Toilets that don’t flush. Garbage disposals that are stuck. Broken screens or doors that won’t lock. 

These are manageable. 

There are also emergency repairs, which are also manageable when you have a plan in place, but require a bit more work and a heightened sense of urgency. Fires in the kitchen. Leaks in the bathroom. Sewer backups or a lack of heat on the coldest winter night. 

How can you reduce those emergency repairs? With a good preventative maintenance plan. Preventative maintenance is often more important than your routine and emergency repairs because it protects the condition and value of your investment. 

When we talk about preventative maintenance, we’re usually focused on preventing plumbing disasters, problems with the HVAC system, and even minor issues like pest control and landscaping. 

Some of the preventative maintenance measures we recommend include:

• Inspecting your plumbing system regularly. Water can be a huge problem for a property. A leaking pipe or a rusting water heater can cause more damage to your property than anything else. During preventative maintenance inspections, make sure you’re checking for leaks. Look under sinks and check ceilings and walls for discoloration or dampness. Leaks or moisture that go unattended could lead to mold and rot. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation in your home and that your insulation is working properly. Check any irrigation systems outdoors as well.
• Service and inspect the HVAC annually. Part of your preventative maintenance plan should be keeping a close eye on your HVAC system. Talk to tenants about changing the air filters or get on a schedule to have them changed automatically. Have your furnace and heating elements inspected and serviced. 
• Pay attention to pest control. Termites can destroy your house very quickly. Tenants won’t want to live in a home with pests, critters, and unpleasant encounters with rats or roaches. Hire a pest control service to keep up with prevention and treatment. 

Preventative maintenance plans are an important part of professional maintenance procedures. 

Working with Preferred Vendors for Eureka Rental Maintenance

Not every repair your property needs will require a licensed vendor. But, you do want to make sure you’re hiring people who have insurance. Otherwise, you’re opening yourself up to unnecessary liability.

Put together a list of preferred vendors you can call upon when you need a major plumbing fix, some electrical work, or HVAC service. These are the vendors who need to be licensed. It ensures a high quality of work, and you’re protected against liability and risk. Tenants will be satisfied that the work is being done properly. 

Vendor relationships are valuable, and this is one of the best reasons to work with professional Eureka property managers. Maintenance costs are rising and vendors are busier than ever. It can be challenging to find someone to respond to your emergencies and it can really be difficult to find someone with affordable prices. Your property manager will help. We already have relationships in place and we’re able to negotiate their most competitive pricing. 

Managing Maintenance Requests from Eureka Tenants 

Do you have a plan in place for how you’ll respond to maintenance requests? 

You want to be responsive. It helps you retain tenants, and it also ensures you’re protecting the condition of your asset. Deferred maintenance is going to be more expensive. It’s going to lead to faster deterioration and wear and tear. 

Let your tenants know that you want to hear about all repair needs promptly. Sometimes tenants worry about making unnecessary requests. They don’t want to be blamed for something going wrong. Put those worries to rest when you’re going over the lease agreement with your new tenant. Stress the importance of immediate maintenance reports. 

• During emergencies, you’ll expect your tenants to call and report the problem immediately. Make sure they have your correct contact information. 
• For non-emergencies, consider a system where tenants put their maintenance requests in writing. This will help you track and document the work that needs to be done. It also allows you to document the steps you took to resolve the issue. This can be incredibly important if there’s ever a dispute or a complaint that you did not act quickly enough to solve a maintenance problem.