Managing a rental property involves more than just finding tenants and collecting rent. One of the most important aspects of property management is maintenance.
Keeping your rental property in excellent condition not only preserves its value but also ensures tenant satisfaction, leading to longer leases and reduced turnover.
However, how you conduct property maintenance can significantly impact the overall success of your investment. Two options are doing temporary, or patchwork, repairs and fixing the problem correctly the first time.
Here’s why doing rental property maintenance right is always the better option over patchwork repairs.
Patchwork Repairs: A Temporary Fix
Patchwork repairs often involve quick, superficial fixes that may temporarily address a problem but fail to resolve the underlying issue.
While these makeshift solutions can be appealing due to their low upfront costs and fast process, they often lead to wasted time and higher expenses. The cost of repeated repairs can exceed the cost of proper maintenance.
Frequent repairs can also become a source of frustration for both tenants and landlords. Tenants have to live with a temporary repair while landlords have to keep arranging for someone to fix the issue.
These repairs can also increase liability for landlords, especially if a known issue isn’t properly repaired and causes an injury or property damage. For example, uneven flooring that is caulked or patched rather than properly replaced can pose a trip hazard for tenants.
Proper Maintenance: Long-Term Benefits
Repairing an issue correctly the first time saves landlords time and money while reducing property damage and increasing tenant satisfaction. Tenants are more likely to renew their lease in properties where things are fixed appropriately to minimize future damage.
Proper maintenance also helps preserve your rental property’s value, making it more appealing to future tenants or potential buyers should you ever decide to sell in the future.
Even if you’re tempted to do a patchwork repair on a smaller issue, remember that minor problems can turn into major headaches later on. Being proactive about proper maintenance can prevent future problems and protect your property.
Landlords who conduct proper maintenance also help increase property safety and reduce their liability. In the uneven flooring example, when the problematic section of floor is replaced and leveled with the existing floor, the problem is taken care of—no trip hazards or further repairs needed.
Do Property Maintenance Right With Circle Property Management
The choice between proper maintenance and patchwork repairs affects not only your property’s condition but also your profitability and tenant relationships. Investing in proper maintenance pays dividends in the form of tenant retention and property value.
If you’re looking for assistance with property maintenance for your rental in Northern Virginia, contact Circle Property Management. Our team helps you maintain your property for long-term benefits to maximize your investment. Contact us today at (703) 349-0144.
About The Author
Patrick H. Page - Principal Broker | Licensed in Virginia and the District of Columbia
