Whether it’s your rental property or your own home, damages and repairs are bound to come up. Ignoring these damages can have catastrophic results so it’s best to handle these problems head on. We’ve listed down the most common rental repairs requested by tenants and how to handle them.
- Fridge/Stove/Dishwasher Not Working. Appliances have more moving parts so it tends to break more often. Minor repairs like replacing light bulbs can be done by the landlord but many issues will require the expertise of a licensed repair person. These appliances used frequently requires them to be repaired right away. These minor repairs cost around $50-$100 and can be done in an hour.
If you will need replacement, consider a used one. Stoves, especially, are easy to find and in mint condition, too. - Water Leak in Ceiling or Under Windows. Water in home interiors is always bad news. Small amounts can cause molds to grow. Molds spread fast and very expensive to control. Huge leaks can destroy furnitures, appliances and flooring and dry walling. So if your tenant reports a water leak, make it your top priority.
There are instances when going cheap is a good decision. Not with water leak. To deal with water leak, hire the best contractor. You may spend big hiring one but it will save you money in the long run. - Leaky Faucets and Under Sinks. Slow drips may appear harmless but in reality, it’s a waste of money as it reflects in the water bill. Good news is, you can learn how to fix this yourself. If you’re not confident or very busy to deal with it, hire a plumber. Have pipes checked and replace rubber washers on sinks. Hiring a plumber would cost you around a $100. Small investment compared to what you will save on your water bill.
- Bugs and Rodents. Half the time this is your tenant’s fault. Clean homes rarely have these problems. The harsh truth, though, is that it’s still your responsibility to stop the infestation. Hiring a pest specialist to stop the infestation and educating the tenants would be the best way to go.
If you own a single-family unit, another way to go is to include in the lease that pest control is the tenant’s responsibility after a certain number of weeks. This way, you can say that it wasn’t a property issue but the tenant’s. - Broken Furnace. Furnace repair is one of the most important in this list and must be dealt with as soon as it is reported. Once reported, make sure to call a furnace specialist ASAP. And it will also be helpful to teach your tenants how and when to replace the furnace filter.
Not all repairs on your property should be shouldered by the landlord. Toilet clogs, for example, is your tenant’s responsibility. To avoid headaches and expensive repairs, educate your tenants and clarify details in your lease. To lessen your burden further, hire a property manager. Property managers are experts with these rental repairs and they can help you avoid dealing with them altogether.
