Keep your Jacksonville, FL, rental property in good condition. It’s cheaper to fix maintenance issues as they occur rather than let them go, worsen, and become expensive repair situations.
What strategies can you use to stay on top of maintenance when tenants live in your rental? Here are a few ideas.
Begin at the Beginning—Get Great Tenants
When you’ve got good tenants in your Jacksonville rental property, it makes staying on top of maintenance much easier. So, the first strategy is to make sure you screen applicants and place the right people in your rental home or property.
Do the work of checking their credit histories, rental/eviction histories, and public records. Call their previous landlords and ask how they kept those rentals. Ask the property owners why your applicant moved or was evicted.
You want someone in your property who respects it, takes care of it, won’t trash it, and will call you as soon as there’s a problem.
Once a tenant moves in, work to establish a good relationship with them. If they’re comfortable with you, chances increase that they’ll call you when a problem arises, or something needs fixing.
Set Up Regular Checks; Change the AC Filter Yourself
Establish with the tenant (and include it in the contract) before they move in that you will come on the property periodically to check the condition of the place. This can be done in a respectful, non-intrusive way.
For example, establish that you will come inside every three months to change the A/C filter. Filters are easy to forget about. You won’t expect the tenant to remember the filter. Instead, you’ll change it yourself. While you’re inside, you can do a quick visual check, and you can also ask them if there are any maintenance issues that need attention—especially leaking faucets, roof leaks, running toilets, and the like.
Establish before the tenant moves in that every six months, you’re going to do leak checks. You’ll look at the ceilings, walls, and window frames for stains that indicate roof leaks. You’ll check showers and tubs for mold growing in caulking and grout. You’ll look for water around vulnerable places like plumbing (under sinks), toilet bases, and water heaters.
Hire a Jacksonville, FL, Property Management Company
Consider hiring a property management company to ensure that your Jacksonville rental stays in good condition. This can be a good option if:
- You don’t live in the area and can’t regularly visit your property
- You don’t have the time to do the regular checks
- You don’t have the time to arrange for and manage repairs
- You don’t want to keep up a relationship with the tenant or go to the property
A property management company such as Locklear Partners & Management in Jacksonville, FL, screens and places quality tenants in rental properties. We stay on top of maintenance and deal with any issues that arise, ensuring that properties remain in great shape.
Interested in understanding more about the benefits of using a property management company for your Jacksonville rental? Call us today at (904) 431-0204.
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