8 Apartment Maintenance Tips for Landlords and Property Managers

If you are an apartment landlord – whether there's one unit or 500 units in your rental property - it is your moral and legal responsibility to ensure a safe environment for your tenants. Investing time and resources in regular building maintenance is crucial to fulfilling this responsibility and provides many additional benefits.

Benefits of Apartment Maintenance

The good news is that properly maintaining your rental property provides you, as the landlord, with many benefits:

• Attracting and retaining better tenants
• Getting higher rent
• Preserving and increasing the value of your property
• Minimizing the risk of litigation
• Preventing more costly repairs
• Adhering to tenant laws, guidelines, and regulations

8 Apartment Maintenance Tips

1. Change air filters in the HVAC system.   
   "Air filters trap pet hair, dust, and other irritating particles so that your air conditioning system delivers fresh, clean air back into your home," according to This Old House. "Eventually, the filter traps so much dust and debris that air can't properly filter or travel to the HVAC unit…" This can lead to high energy bills, health concerns, and system failure. The general rule is to replace the filter every three months, but it's best to regularly (about once a month) check your air filters and replace them when they're dirty.
   
   
2. Flush the water heater.
   Flushing your water heater at least once a year removes sediment that can accumulate in the bottom of your water heater, which can reduce the efficiency of the heater and lead to damage.
   
   
3. Inspect and refresh shower caulk. 
   Caulk prevents water from going where it shouldn't. Damaged, cracked, or insufficient caulk can cause water damage, mold, and mildew. Regularly inspect caulk and refresh as needed.
   
   
4. Inspect for water leaks/damage.
   Water, where it doesn't belong, is a common issue that can cause a lot of damage over time. Therefore, you should regularly check all water sources to ensure there are no leaks and watch for water in places where it doesn't belong and signs of water damage.
   
   
5. Inspect the roof and clean the gutters.
   It's easier and less expensive to replace a few damaged shingles than repair or replace a damaged roof. Gutters are designed to direct water runoff, but clogged gutters can cause damage. Checking your gutters at least twice a year can prevent water damage, reduce the risk of a cracked foundation, ward off pests, protect your roof, and more.
   
   
6. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
   Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives; it's that simple. So, test your detectors regularly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends changing batteries "when turning back clocks in the fall and ahead in the spring."
   
   
7. Control Pests
   Preventing pests should be your first line of defense. Fix leaky plumbing, don't let water accumulate anywhere, close off places where pests can enter and hide, etc. If you know pests can be an issue on your property, advise tenants to store food in sealed containers, minimize clutter, and not leave food on the counter. If you do discover a pest problem, address it immediately.
   
   
8. Pay attention  
   As you walk around your property, look for any issues, such as burnt-out light bulbs, drywall damage, landscaping that blocks an entrance, etc., and make repairs before those small issues become bigger, more expensive problems.

How to Buy an Apartment Building or Other Investment Property

Pete Heim is a lifelong Berks County resident and a leading Pennsylvania Realtor®. Pete knows Berks County real estate like nobody else, and he's ready to work to help you find an apartment building or other investment property. Contact Pete Heim at 610-745-3378 or 610-898-1441 or connect with him online.