Being a landlord is an important responsibility. Whether your rental properties are occupied or vacant, it’s possible the home or commercial building you own will require an emergency repair at some point. Even if you are lucky enough to avoid emergency repairs, however, there are also maintenance issues that will routinely need your attention.
Whether you choose to complete repairs and maintenance yourself or hire someone else to do the work, having an idea of the different problems that might come up with your properties will help you estimate how much money to set aside to pay for materials or labor.
Here is our list of the most common repairs a landlord will deal with in Brevard County, FL
Exterior:
A lease condition for your rental properties might include that your tenants are responsible for taking care of basic yard maintenance, but it’s ultimately the landlord’s responsibility to maintain habitable properties. The most common exterior issues arise with roofs, landscaping and pest control.
Roof and Gutters
Roofs have a long lifespan, but eventually a replacement is needed even with a superbly maintained exterior. In Florida, roof and gutter damage also develops from hurricane debris or fungus and mold overgrowth.
Overgrown Landscaping
If your property is unoccupied it is especially important to tend to the landscaping. Keeping the exterior of a home looking its best will help attract renters, and it will also keep the neighbors happy. The easiest way to maintain a rental property’s landscaping is to keep things simple.
Pest Control
Mosquitoes, termites and bed bugs are all pests that are more than annoying. Terminates can harm your property, and mosquitoes and bed bugs pose health risks to tenants. While the responsibility lays with the tenant to keep pests away, once an infestation occurs you may need to step in and make sure you eliminate the pests.
Interior:
Normal wear and tear on a rental property should be expected, especially with long-term tenants. When a tenant moves out it’s common to have to repaint walls or replace carpet which has exceeded its lifespan. There are other interior repairs that may not come up as often, but if left unattended will be expensive to fix.
Drywall Patching
Occasionally a wall will need more than a fresh coat of paint. Drywall patching requires several steps with time for the materials to dry between step, but it isn’t a large expense. If a tenant or former tenant creates a hole in the wall, it’s their responsibility to pay for the repair. However, as a landlord, if they have moved out you will still need to address the repair.
Appliances
Depending on the lease you agree to it may be the tenant’s responsibility to provide appliances. If this is the case, as a landlord you still need to make sure the outlets and/or gas line are up to code and working properly. If the lease includes appliances and something breaks it is your responsibility to repair or replace the broken item.
Electrical
Older homes may require you to update electrical wiring or outlets to comply with local rental property laws. A property that has up to date electrical wiring can still develop a problem. A faulty outlet or accidentally overloading an outlet can cause a short leading to a necessary repair.
HVAC and Water Heaters
Similarly to roofs, HVAC systems and water heaters eventually require replacement or part repair. As a landlord you may want to consider an HVAC maintenance plan for your rental properties to help ensure the units last as long as possible. This is an unavoidable cost if you expect to own the rental property for a long time, so putting away a little money each month for this larger expense is a good idea.
Plumbing
Clogged pipes or toilets are generally the tenant’s responsibility, but a larger issue that requires a plumber often falls to the landlord to fix. Additionally, sewer issues, as well as leaky faucets or pipes, are things a landlord needs to address.
The right rental property company can make all the difference when it comes to dealing with common property repairs. At All Brevard Property, we specialize in Brevard County, FL rental properties. Whether commercial or residential, we will maintain and repair your properties saving you money and time. Contact us to learn more about our services.
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