Whether you’re renting out one home in San Mateo or an entire portfolio of properties, you’re likely looking for tips that will help you maintain those investments. A good maintenance plan helps you earn more money. It also protects the value and condition of your investment and it attracts and retains excellent residents.

So, let’s talk about maintenance. We’ll touch on every topic we can think of – from landscaping to appliances to HVAC systems and the importance of partnering with good vendors and with your tenants.

Let’s dive in.

Landscaping is About Curb Appeal

The importance of landscaping and curb appeal in a rental property cannot be overstated. A well-maintained lawn and attractive outdoor space can greatly enhance the value of your rental property, making it more appealing to potential tenants.

Not only does a beautiful landscape increase your property’s marketability, it also demonstrates your commitment to maintaining the property and keeping your residents happy. Regular landscaping maintenance will promote a tidy and visually pleasing aesthetic and prevent potentially costly problems like erosion and dead patches of grass.

Neglecting the landscape of your rental property can send the wrong message to tenants, causing them to doubt your ability to properly maintain the property as a whole.

Set up a recurring lawn service and make sure your landscaping gets the attention it deserves. During tenant turnover periods, you’ll have an opportunity to evaluate your current landscaping and decide if anything else is needed.

HVAC, Roofs, Electric: Invest in Preventative Maintenance

The HVAC system is responsible for the heating, the air conditioning, and the ventilation in your property. When there’s a problem, it’s usually an expensive problem.

Preventative maintenance is your best resource when it comes to caring for your HVAC and keeping repair costs to a minimum. Hire an HVAC technician to inspect and service your system annually. This will help you maintain it and avoid those calls in the middle of summer when the air conditioning goes out.

When it comes to your preventative maintenance checklist, you should also have your roof inspected annually. Get the gutters cleaned out, check your insulation, and update the caulk around tubs and toilets. Electric systems should be inspected as well.

Plumbing Issue

Water is damaging, and you must make sure leaks, drips, and water intrusion are noticed right away and remedied.

Small leaks are easy to ignore, but they almost always turn into larger plumbing problems. Don’t wait for that to happen. Be proactive about preventing them in your rental property, and educate your tenants on the importance of reporting water issues right away.

Checking for leaks should be part of every inspection you conduct, whether it’s at the move-in period or during the move-out period. If you’re doing a maintenance walk-through or meeting with your tenant at the property, take a quick look under sinks and behind toilets.

Evaluate Appliances for Energy Efficiency

How old are your appliances? They may look fine, but if they’ve been in place for 20 years, it’s probably time to say goodbye to them so you can install something more appealing and energy-efficient.

You want your kitchen appliances to match. If you’re not already providing in-unit laundry, consider it. Then, make sure you’re tracking warranty information and working with tenants when something breaks down. Appliances are crucial, and tenants will use them every day. A refrigerator not keeping food cold is a big problem.

Put Together a Preferred List of Reliable Vendors and Contractors

Finding someone great who can do the work you need is often a challenge, especially if you’re not working with a San Mateo property management partner. With a labor shortage and higher prices for materials and supplies, maintenance is not only more expensive, it’s also more difficult to schedule.

You can’t have a good maintenance plan without a great team of vendors and contractors who will take care of that work. Your handyman can likely take care of minor issues, but when it comes to avoiding disasters and keeping costs down, establish relationships with licensed and insured professionals.

Develop these relationships with professionals before you need them. Make it worth their time to work with you.

Partner with Your San Mateo Tenants to Maintain your Property

You need good vendor relationships and you also need good tenant relationships. This will help you maintain your property.

Your tenants can help you take care of the property by attending to minor issues like light bulbs that need to be changed and garbage disposals that need to be reset. You’ll want them to make maintenance requests right away, to avoid larger expenses that often come with deferred and unreported maintenance.

Embrace any Opportunities to Upgrade

Make routine upgrades and updates.

This will keep your property modern and attractive. You’ll earn more in rent and your overall value will climb higher.

Think about opportunities. Most owners will make upgrades and improvements during turnover periods, when the property is empty. But, you can do some improving while there’s a tenant in place, too. For example, if a tenant calls to replace the refrigerator that isn’t working and you’ve already had to repair that refrigerator twice this year, maybe replace it instead. This will please your tenant, and it will also eliminate any future repairs you might have to make on that old and deteriorating fridge.

By making small upgrades and updates, you’re maintaining your property proactively. You’re also working towards better tenant retention and higher rental values.

One of the best maintenance tips we can offer you is to partner with a professional San Mateo property management company. Our job is to protect the condition of your home and to ensure it’s safe and habitable for your tenants. We’ll save you money with preferred vendors and careful attention. We’ll also take care of everything, from landscaping to appliances!

If you’d like some help maintaining your investments, contact us at Bayside Management. We lease, manage, and maintain investment properties in San Mateo and around the Peninsula, including San Carlos, Redwood City, Pacifica, San Bruno, Half Moon Bay, Daly City, Mountain View, Foster City, and Palo Alto.