As a Charleston landlord, you want everything to go well while tenants are living in your property. You’ve conducted the inspections, completed the screening and the lease signing, and you fully expect a smooth, stress-free tenancy.
Usually, that happens.
Sometimes, however, a problem pops up that went overlooked while you were making the home move-in ready. We have seen some common problems go overlooked in local rental properties, and we want to highlight those today and help you avoid these frustrating issues.
Here’s what to watch for.
Lint in the Dryer Vents
Providing a washer and dryer in your unit is a great way to earn more rent, provide a more attractive rental property, and attract the best tenants. Residents love being able to do their laundry in the privacy of their own home.
The problem with providing these appliances is that you have to maintain them. One thing that landlords often overlook is the way dryer lint can quickly build up in the appliance and even become a fire hazard.
Vacuum out the lint inside dryer hoses during every turnover. If you receive a maintenance request from a tenant about the dryer not doing a great job drying their laundry, this is the first part of the dryer you should check. Don’t just pull out the lint trapping screen; get inside to the appliance and find out where the lint is gathering.
Nearly 3,000 fires a year are started in residential homes due to excessive dryer lint. Clean and inspect this appliance regularly.
Thermostat Issues in Charleston Rental Homes
Maintenance calls involving heat and air conditioning are almost always expensive. Hopefully, you have a good preventative maintenance plan in place where an HVAC technician inspects and services your system annually. It will cut down on emergency repairs, increase the lifespan of this very expensive system, and provide energy efficiency for your tenants and their electric bills.
Don’t forget the thermostat. This is an easy place for problems to be overlooked.
If there seems to be a problem with the heating and cooling functions in your property, don’t assume it’s a major issue. Check the thermostat batteries. Clean out the grime and dust and debris that can accumulate inside the thermostat box. A thermostat that’s old or not level on the wall can also malfunction.
Inefficient or Unsafe Windows and Doors
It’s easy to overlook the doors and windows, however you want to make sure that they open, close, and lock properly. The insulation and weather stripping should also be in good condition. This is a security issue as much as an energy efficiency issue. Tenants need to know that they’re safe inside their home, and they will expect working doors and windows. Check the condition of window screens. Consider investing in double pane windows that keep hot and cold air inside the home. You don’t want any leaks, nor do you want warping from humidity.
Pest Control Problems
No one wants to live with bugs.
It’s easy to overlook the pest control, especially if you’re not hearing complaints from tenants. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t termites chewing through your walls or mice making homes in the attic. Schedule a pest control service to treat and inspect your property routinely. Educate your tenants on the importance of keeping the inside of the home clean and free of trash, crumbs, and spills.
These are some of the most common problems that we believe go overlooked in rental homes, to the detriment of the owner’s ROI. If you’d like some help protecting the condition and value of your property, contact us at Charleston Home Rentals. We’re thorough, experienced, and unlikely to overlook any of the problems that may be lurking in your rental home.
